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Tennessee Hires First Superintendent for Achievement School District

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 | 10:56 am
NASHVILLE— The Tennessee Department of Education announced Chris Barbic, founder and chief executive officer of YES Prep Public Schools in Houston, Texas, as Superintendent of Tennessee’s Achievement School District (ASD). Barbic will lead the state’s groundbreaking efforts to turn around the State’s lowest performing schools in order to ensure that all Tennessee students have the chance to receive a high quality public education that will prepare them to be college and career-ready.
First to the Top, Education

“TELL Tennessee” Survey Results Set Standard and Strategy

Tuesday, May 03, 2011 | 08:33 am
NASHVILLE – The results are in, and more than 57,000 educators across the state completed the TELL Tennessee(Teaching, Empowering, Leading, and Learning) Survey. Overall, 85 percent of Tennessee’s educators agree that their school is a good place to work and learn. Survey data will be used to provide a foundation for assessing professional development, strategies for improvement, and policy development guidance. 
First to the Top, Education

Tennessee Celebrates First Year of Race to the Top

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 | 03:50 pm
NASHVILLE – Time flies when you are making progress. Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Department of Education commemorated the first anniversary of Tennessee’s Race to the Top win at an education roundtable discussion today. Key stakeholders in winning and executing Tennessee’s First to the Top plan participated in the discussion by taking stock of the great progress Tennessee has made and recognizing the work yet to be done for the children of Tennessee.  
First to the Top, Education

Teachers “TELL Tennessee” What They Need to Succeed

Thursday, February 10, 2011 | 12:51 pm
Available online February 14 - March 11, 2011.
Available online February 14 - March 11, 2011.
NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Department of Education want to ensure all educators have a supportive environment to help students achieve. The TELL Tennessee (Teaching, Empowering, Leading, and Learning) Survey is the first statewideopportunity for teachers and licensed staff in Tennessee to provide input on their learning environment. The survey launches February 14 through March 11, 2011.
First to the Top, Education

Innovation Acceleration Fund to Reward Top Educators

Thursday, January 13, 2011 | 11:08 am
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Education has announced that four school systems will receive Innovation Acceleration Fund grants to assist districts in designing and/or implementing alternative salary schedules. Building on initiatives in First to the Top to increase educator effectiveness through innovative compensation structures, newly adopted alternative salary schedules will reward teachers and principals for their ability to increase student achievement levels.
First to the Top, Education

Teacher and Principal Residency Grant Invests in Talent

Wednesday, January 05, 2011 | 01:32 pm
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Education has announced that three school systems will receive funding as part of the Teacher and Principal Residency Competitive Grant.  As part of the First to the Top initiative, systems will work to increase and retain the number of well prepared and effective teachers and principals to address local school-based needs and encourage student achievement.
First to the Top, Education

Tennessee Teachers Earn National Board Certification

Thursday, December 16, 2010 | 01:28 pm

NASHVILLE – The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced 70 new Tennessee teachers have earned National Board Certification in 2010. With a 17.2% percent increase in the number of teachers who achieved certification over last year, to date 483 Tennessee teachers have undergone a stringent, voluntary process to meet National Board Certification requirements.

First to the Top, Education