Education

U.S. Department of Education Approves Tennessee Race to the Top Budget

NASHVILLE Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that Tennessee’s nearly $501 million Race to the Top budget has been approved by the U. S. Department of Education, allowing the state and all 136 school districts to move forward in implementing comprehensive school reform plans over the next four years.
 
Tennessee was just one of two states selected to receive funding in the federal government’s Race to the Top competition in March.

Tennessee Announces 2010-2011 Free and Reduced Price Meal Guidelines

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Education today announced the 2010-2011 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy for free and reduced price meals for children in Tennessee’s schools. The USDA’s school meals programs help ensure all students have access to a nutritious diet.

“Healthy, nutritious meals are the fuel our children need to be successful and improve their learning opportunities,” Education Commissioner Timothy Webb said. “Research indicates eating habits affect learning, so we know a hungry child has difficulties learning. We want to ensure all our children start out on the right path to college and a career.”

Bredesen, Webb, Frist Kick Off Education Coalition

Group's First Project: Campaign to Raise Standards Awareness
NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen, Education Commissioner Tim Webb and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist this week are launching the First to the Top Coalition, a statewide alliance of more than 30 business, community and education groups joining together to support public education reform in Tennessee.
The coalition’s first project is “Expect More, Achieve More: Raising the Bar in Tennessee Schools,” a campaign designed to raise parent and public awareness of higher academic standards in the classroom. The campaign is working to get ahead of the release of new Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) scores in late-September.

Bruce Opie Named Deputy Commissioner of Education

NASHVILLE – Education Commissioner Timothy Webb today announced the appointment of Bruce Opie to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Education. Mr. Opie joined the Department in 1985 and most recently served as the Department’s Assistant Commissioner for Legislation and Policy. As Deputy Commissioner he will oversee implementation of state education funding of local school systems.

Health Commissioner Announces New Resources for Tennessee Youth and Teachers

NASHVILLE - Commissioner of Health Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, announced today the addition of new sections for young people and their teachers on the Get Fit Tennessee website www.getfittn.com/kids to help the next generation of Tennesseans get fit. The new site presents fitness and nutrition information for middle school students with bold graphics and engaging activities. Interactive games and trivia encourage kids to learn more about nutrition, proper portion sizes and new ways to move more throughout the day.

Teach Tennessee Commissioner’s Fellows Commence Inaugural Class

NASHVILLE – An engineer, a chemist and a math tutor are among the group of 27 individuals making a commitment this summer to become a teacher through the Tennessee Department of Education’s Teach Tennessee “Commissioner’s Fellows”program. Teach Tennessee is a statewide transitional licensure program created by Governor Phil Bredesen that addresses the need for classroom teachers by challenging mid-career professionals, retirees and others to teach.

Changes In Immunization Requirements Go Into Effect

Beat the Back-to-School Rush, Get Children Current on Vaccinations

NASHVILLE – Parents of children enrolling in child care, pre-school, Kindergarten and 7th grade should make plans now to be sure their children are up to date with their immunizations, if they haven’t already. Pediatric practices and county health department clinics expect to be busy all summer providing the vaccines and certificates necessary to meet the new immunization requirements that went into effect on July 1.

Bredesen Appoints Tennessee First to the Top Advisory Council

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today announced 14 appointments to the Tennessee First to the Top Advisory Council, a broad-based group of Tennesseans and national experts who will provide strategic guidance, direction, and thought leadership to state policymakers overseeing Tennessee’s Race to the Top grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
“Tennessee’s education agenda has accelerated in recent years because of the shared commitment to improving education that has been developed among stakeholders including teachers, administrators, business leaders, philanthropy, and advocacy groups,” said Bredesen. “They play a vital role in helping Tennessee carry out the vision of a world-class public education system that prepares students for college, career, and life in the 21st century. The ongoing involvement of the groups represented by the First to the Top Advisory Council will help ensure we fulfill our Race to the Top goals.”

2011 Tennessee Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Education is proud to announce the finalists for the 2011 Tennessee Teacher of the Year Award. The nine finalists are comprised of elementary, middle and high school educators from each grand division of the state. Grand Division winners and Teacher of the Year will be chosen from this group this fall.

“I am very proud to have such outstanding teachers in this state,” Education Commissioner Timothy Webb said. “These teachers were instrumental in implementing the Tennessee Diploma Project this year and are examples of the kind of support we will need to successfully implement our Race to the Top efforts statewide. Teacher of the Year is about just one teacher, but I want to thank all of our teachers for the tremendous work in ensuring the success of every single Tennessee student.” 

Tennessee Leaders Receive National Recognition in Online Learning Field

Education Commissinoer Timothy Webb receiving USDLA award
Education Commissinoer Timothy Webb receiving USDLA award

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Education today is proud to announce the United States Distance Learning Association has recognized Education Commissioner Timothy Webb for outstanding leadership by an individual in the field of online technology in Pre-K through 12th-grade education.

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