Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam Launches Statewide “Healthier Tennessee” Initiative

Newly created foundation to work with local communities to promote health and wellness

Jackson, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today announced the launch of “Healthier Tennessee,” an initiative to encourage Tennesseans to be more physically active, to eat nutritious foods in healthy portions, and not to use tobacco products.

“Tennessee is one of the best places there is to live, work and raise a family, but we also are one of the least healthy states in the nation,” Haslam said. “Our citizens have high rates of behavior-related diseases such as hypertension and stroke, Type II diabetes, heart disease, and several types of cancer.” [Read more]

Bill Haslam announces formal review of Teacher Evaluations

Calls upon independent organization and department to take a closer look

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today announced that there will be both an external and internal review of the new teacher evaluation system.

He has charged the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) with conducting an independent, third-party evaluation and is asking the state Department of Education to formalize a review process, which the department has already begun.

Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) and Rep. John Forgety (R-Athens) are sponsors of a resolution that outlines the review process for the department, which the governor said the administration supports. [Read more]