Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn issues Statement on School Closures
March 16, 2020
Nashville, TN – Today, Monday, March 16th, 2020, Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn released the following statement on Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s announcement around school closures:
“We thank Governor Lee for encouraging school districts to close through the end of the month in order to protect the health and well being of Tennessee’s students, teachers, and entire communities across the state.
Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn
Tennessee Department of Education announces $50,000 Grant Funds 13,000 Books for Tennessee Students
February 29, 2020
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Education was selected to receive $50,000 in grant funding from First Book’s OMG Books Awards to purchase 13,000 books for Tennessee students.
These books are intended to help develop a love of learning among students in Tennessee’s rural and distressed communities, in alignment with the department’s Best for All strategic plan and early literacy strategic priority, as well as Governor Bill Lee’s initiative to support rural counties across the state.
First Lady Maria Lee and Commissioner Penny Schwinn read to the students at the Tennessee Residence.
Tennessee Together Student Survey Highlights Opportunity for Parents to Prevent Youth Substance Use
February 18, 2020
Nashville, TN – Parents have a valuable opportunity to influence their children’s use of substances if they approach the conversation in early middle school grades, but these conversations are only happening for about half of Tennessee youth. That is one of the primary takeaways highlighted by the first-ever TN Together Student Survey.
This data shows that Tennessee youth appear to misuse alcohol and marijuana at lower rates than national averages. Rates of misuse of prescription pain relievers are comparable to the national average and tobacco use is about two percent higher than the national average. Comparing state-specific statistics over time, Tennessee youth reported misusing alcohol, tobacco, and pain relievers at lower rates in 2016–2017 than in 2011–2012.
Tennessee ACT Participation at All Time High
November 6, 2019
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced today that a total of 63,829 students from Tennessee’s 2019 graduating class took the ACT, earning an average composite score of 20.
This represents a 98 percent participation rate, which is an all-time high in the state. Of those students, 41.7 percent earned a score of 21 or higher, making them eligible for the HOPE scholarship.
Tennessee ACT 2019
Tennessee Students Show Modest Math Gains on Nation’s 2019 Report Card
October 30, 2019
Nashville, TN – The Nation’s 2019 Report Card was released this morning. According to the results, Tennessee students made noteworthy gains in 4th grade math, but saw virtually no statistical gains in the other subject areas that were tested, compared to 2017.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Launches Governor’s Civics Seal and Mini-Grants
October 13, 2019
Nashville, TN – On Thursday, October 10th, 2019, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the launch of the Governor’s Civics Seal and mini-grant program to provide support and recognize schools and districts that prioritize teaching our nation’s history and civic values.
“I am proud to launch this initiative to inspire our Tennessee students to be civically engaged,” said Governor Lee.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
Tennessee Graduation Rate Continues to Rise
September 17, 2019
Nashville, TN – Today, the Tennessee Education Department Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced that the graduation rate for the 2018-19 school calendar year was 89.7 percent.
Not only is that more than half a percentage point higher than the previous year, but it’s the highest graduation rate on record for Tennessee. That translates into an increase of 183 graduates statewide.
Education Regional Partnerships Double Across the State
TDOE Releases TNReady Results for 2019
August 16, 2019
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn has released the TNReady assessment results which indicates that students across the state are performing better in almost all math subjects.
The TNReady scores also show that more than half the schools in Tennessee – 56 percent – improved their growth scores (TVAAS scores) from the previous year, with 41 percent of all schools earning a level 4 or 5 TVAAS rating which measures year-to-year growth.
TNReady assessment results have been released by the Tennessee Department of Education.
