Tennessee Department of Education

Students at Priority Elementary Schools Can "Shop" for Free Books at Governor's Early Literacy Foundation's Opportunities with Literacy (OWL) Fest in September

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 13, 2023

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor's Early Literacy Foundation, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), today announces Opportunities with Literacy (OWL) Fest, a curated bookstore and shopping experience, that will travel to 31 Priority elementary schools across Tennessee in September. To build home libraries and strengthen reading proficiency, OWL Fest will be a one-day event at each school, giving students the opportunity to select books to take home, at no cost to families or schools.

Key Points: 
  • Through OWL Fest, more than 10,000 students, teachers and reading specialists will receive over 80,000 books, at no cost.
  • Only 40% of Tennessee 3rd graders read proficiently, which ranges from 22-38% in Priority schools.
  • In 2023, the program delivered 1.2 million books to more than 200,000 students, teachers, librarians and media specialists statewide, including Priority schools.
  • Below is a list of the participating Priority schools that OWL Fest will visit in September.

Take Charge of Your Child’s Future: New Tennessee Virtual K-12 Public School Now Enrolling

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Authorized by the Tennessee Department of Education, VSVA is designed to serve students starting in the fall of this year.

Key Points: 
  • Authorized by the Tennessee Department of Education, VSVA is designed to serve students starting in the fall of this year.
  • VSVA will provide students with a standards-aligned curriculum facilitated by Tennessee-licensed teachers from the safety of their homes or anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Students receive a solid academic foundation with hands-on learning experiences in career exploration in a virtual classroom with other students attending as they would in a brick-and-mortar setting.
  • “At Volunteer State Virtual Academy, we are committed to delivering an exceptional learning experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional classrooms,” said Amber Calvert, Director of Academics.

Education Leaders in Yonkers, NY, and Henderson, TN, Win Inaugural YouScience® Innovative Educator Awards

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 21, 2023

AMERICAN FORK, Utah, June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Two respected educators have been named the inaugural recipients of the YouScience® Innovative Educator Award, recognizing their exceptional contributions in guiding and inspiring students to explore their aptitudes and make informed decisions about their futures. This award celebrates educators who have implemented innovative approaches to empower the next generation of professionals through academic and career exploration.

Key Points: 
  • This award celebrates educators who have implemented innovative approaches to empower the next generation of professionals through academic and career exploration.
  • Mazzola's innovative approach combines career and technical education (CTE) courses with academic programs, ensuring students are well-prepared for success in both school and life.
  • "We are thrilled to recognize Principal Steven Mazzola and Counselor Darlene Goff with the YouScience Innovative Educator award.
  • The YouScience Innovative Educator Award recipients are selected based on their innovative programs and use of YouScience solutions to support students' career exploration journeys.

WIN Learning partners with the State of Tennessee to certify students as career-ready

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 1, 2023

WIN's assessments help students understand the value of core skills by applying them to workplace situations.

Key Points: 
  • WIN's assessments help students understand the value of core skills by applying them to workplace situations.
  • WIN Learning, a national leading developer of career-readiness solutions, was awarded this opportunity by the Tennessee Department of Education to certify that students in local districts and public charter schools are career-ready.
  • "WIN's assessments help students understand the value of these core skills by applying them to workplace situations," said Teresa Chasteen-Dunn, founder and CEO of WIN Learning.
  • The WIN assessments go beyond concept knowledge and measure students' ability to apply the foundational workplace skills required across all occupations and industries.

Kira Learning Raises $15M Series A to Fuel National Expansion of its Platform to Empower K-12 Teachers and Students to Teach and Learn Computer Science

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 24, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, May 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kira Learning, the company building an AI-powered platform that allows anyone to teach and learn computer science (CS), announced today that it has closed a $15M Series A round from existing investors NEA and the AI Fund. The company also announced a partnership with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN), managed by Battelle Education, following a competitive RFP process, to provide all public high schools and middle schools in the state with an introductory CS curriculum and an unparalleled, integrated teaching-learning platform. TSIN, the Tennessee Department of Education, and Battelle will leverage the curriculum and platform to implement the state's new computer science requirement in high schools.

Key Points: 
  • Kira Learning Continues National Expansion to Help K-12 Teachers and Students to Teach and Learn Computer Science.
  • "Advances in AI present an attractive opportunity to democratize teaching and learning computer science," said Carmen Chang, Partner at NEA.
  • Kira Learning is in active discussions with several additional states and anticipates having programs in about 20 states by this Fall.
  • To learn more about the company and its mission to teach anyone computer science, visit Kira Learning's website .

WIN Learning works with JAGTN to help high school students learn career-focused soft skills

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tennessee high school students can now learn essential soft skills to boost their chances for career success, thanks to WIN Learning and Jobs for America's Graduates Tennessee (JAGTN).

Key Points: 
  • NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tennessee high school students can now learn essential soft skills to boost their chances for career success, thanks to WIN Learning and Jobs for America's Graduates Tennessee (JAGTN).
  • WIN Essential Soft Skills Courseware for students success, provides future employers with workplace-ready candidates.
  • WIN Learning is a national leading developer of career readiness solutions, and it is partnering with JAGTN, a non-profit organization helping students graduate, to strengthen the future workforce with soft skills training.
  • WIN Learning is proud to partner with JAGTN to offer students in the 2022-2023 school year the opportunity to earn the National Work Readiness Essential Soft Skills Credential.

Study.com Named As One of the World's Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 3, 2023

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Study.com, a leading online education platform, has been named to Fast Company's list of the World's Most Innovative Companies for 2023. Study.com ranked #4 in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) category, highlighting its mission-driven brand, products, and initiatives that increase access to education for underserved learners and educators. Study.com is the only award recipient in the category whose product is the impact.

Key Points: 
  • Study.com helps over 30 million learners and educators every month achieve their breakthrough moments at every stage of the learning journey.
  • The Keys to the Classroom initiative was specifically highlighted by Fast Company for its innovative approach.
  • Fast Company's editors and reporters sought out the companies making the biggest strides around the globe and evaluated nominations across 54 sectors and regions.
  • See the full 2023 World's Most Innovative Companies: Corporate Social Responsibility list at https://www.fastcompany.com/90846914/most-innovative-companies-corporate... .

TDOE, TN Grow Your Own Center and Study.com Bring "Keys to the Classroom" Resources to Future Tennessee Teachers

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 15, 2023

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Tennessee Department of Education, in partnership with Study.com, announced all Tennessee Teacher Apprenticeship candidates through the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center have free access to "Keys to the Classroom" to provide test prep support for their licensure tests to earn their Tennessee teacher's license.

Key Points: 
  • This initiative, as a part of the state's Grow Your Own strategic efforts, will help eliminate barriers to ensure more qualified teachers are entering the teaching profession in Tennessee.
  • "Leveraging the "Keys to the Classroom" resources in Tennessee further emphasizes our commitment to ensure every child has a well-trained, high-quality educator in their classroom," said Commissioner Penny Schwinn.
  • In May 2022, the department announced a $20 million investment to create the Tennessee Grow Your Own (GYO) Center, in partnership with the University of Tennessee System.
  • Through Grow Your Own programs across the state, each teacher apprentice will become a licensed and endorsed Tennessee educator.

Battelle Impacts More Than 1 Million Children with STEM Education Outreach

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 17, 2022

When Battelle President and CEO Lou Von Thaer joined the organization in 2017, he set a goal to impact 1 million children annually with high-quality STEM education programming by 2025.

Key Points: 
  • When Battelle President and CEO Lou Von Thaer joined the organization in 2017, he set a goal to impact 1 million children annually with high-quality STEM education programming by 2025.
  • Donated $43 million in STEM education and grants over the last three years.
  • We encourage every major business to seek out at least one STEM education program to support in the next calendar year.
  • Learn more about Battelles STEM education initiatives by visiting: https://www.battelle.org/stem-education/
    Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most.

Rocketship Public Schools Tennessee and the Turner-Agassi Education Facilities Fund Celebrate the Opening of a New, Music-Focused Charter Public School in Nashville

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 10, 2022

Tennis champion Andre Agassi joined with Rocketship Public Schools Tennessee, the Turner-Agassi Education Facilities Fund, educators, students and parents today for the opening celebration of Rocketship Dream Community Prep, a beautiful new charter public school campus in Nashville.

Key Points: 
  • Tennis champion Andre Agassi joined with Rocketship Public Schools Tennessee, the Turner-Agassi Education Facilities Fund, educators, students and parents today for the opening celebration of Rocketship Dream Community Prep, a beautiful new charter public school campus in Nashville.
  • Rocketship Public Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public elementary charter schools serving disadvantaged communities across the country.
  • Rocketship Public Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public elementary charter schools serving disadvantaged communities across the country.
  • Through its high-performing public school model, Rocketship Public Schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community.