Reporter’s Note
I can remember several educators who made a difference in my life. Mr. Thomas, my Algebra 2 teacher, spent hours after school tutoring me and other students. Ms. Cording, an English teacher, encouraged me to study journalism in college and praised my writing. Ms. Hannah, an elementary school librarian, let me check out a book that someone else told me “would be too hard.”
These are the type of teachers we hope to feature in our Teacher of the Month series. To read their stories or nominate a teacher you know, visit www.timesfreepress.com/teachers/.
– Meghan
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THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION NEWS
Only about one third of third graders in the state of Tennessee can read on grade level, according to the Tennessee Department of Education.
About 36% tested on grade level in Hamilton County during the 2018-19 school year.
Research shows that third grade is a critical year for literacy. The old saying goes that until third grade, “students are learning to read.” After third grade, “they are reading to learn.”
This year, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn have introduced a bill that would allocate $68 million toward a new statewide literacy initiative focused on teacher training and resources.
But how is this initiative different from previous literacy efforts like Read to be Ready and will individual schools and teachers still be able to decide what their students need?
Keep reading for this and more top education news!