Category Archives: MNPS

Posted on by

Education Foundation Pushes “Thriving Schools Framework”

The Nashville Public Education Foundation’s (NPEF) latest newsletter includes mention of the so-called “Thriving Schools Framework” that the organization says it wants to see adopted in MNPS.

Here’s more:

The Thriving Schools Framework is rooted in research and backed by real-world experience. Based on education research and focus groups with over 50 MNPS educators, our findings reflect what it takes to ensure all students thrive in school and the opportunities to initiate solutions that close gaps and eliminate barriers. While there’s no exclusive method for curating a thriving school, our framework aims to highlight and support the six conditions present in schools where all students thrive.

The six conditions for a thriving school:

  • Ambitious Instruction
  • Inclusive and Supportive School Culture
  • Engaging and Relevant Educational Experiences
  • Culture of Collaboration
  • Effective School Leadership 
  • Resource Alignment

MORE EDUCATION NEWS

Jerri Green on Education

John Rose’s Singular Base of Support

Posted on by

Saving Money on Back-to-School Needs

From WSMV in Nashville

Metro Nashville Public Schools will host a variety of back-to-school bashes where they will give away school supplies, offer activities and more.

  • July 23 – Glencliff cluster back-to-school bash
    • 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
    • Glencliff High School
  • July 25 – Pearl-Cohn cluster back-to-school bash
    • 9 a.m. to noon
    • Hadley Park
  • July 29 – Signature B Schools/Arts schools back-to-school bash
    • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Nashville School of Arts
  • July 29 – Hillsboro cluster back-to-school bash
    • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Hillsboro High School
  • July 30 – Stratford cluster back-to-school bash
    • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Stratford STEM – Upper Campus
  • Aug. 1:
    • Magnet Schools:
      • 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
      • E.S. Rose Park, 1000 Edgehill Avenue
    • Antioch cluster:
      • 9 a.m. to noon
      • Antioch High School
    • Cane Ridge cluster
      • 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
      • Cane Ridge High School
  • Aug. 3 – Maplewood cluster back-to-school bash
    • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Maplewood High School
  • Aug. 4 – Signature C schools back-to-school bash
    • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Richland Park Community Center
  • Aug. 4 – Whites Creek cluster back-to-school bash
    • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Whites Creek High School
  • Aug. 5 – James Lawson cluster back-to-school bash
    • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • James Lawson High School
  • Aug. 5 – Hunters Lane cluster back-to-school bash
    • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Hunters Lane High School
  • Aug. 7 – Signature A Schools
    • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • The Academy at Old Cockrill
  • Aug. 8 – McGavock cluster back-to-school bash
    • 10 a.m. to noon
    • McGavock High School
  • Aug. 9 – Overton cluster back-to-school bash
    • 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
    • Nashville Zoo

cityscape of nashville tennessee at dawn
Photo by Cesar G on Pexels.com

MORE EDUCATION NEWS

This One’s About Robot Teachers

Marsha’s Supporters: Out-of-State Billionaires

Posted on by

NPEF’s Leadership Public Education Cohort Graduation

From the Front of the Class newsletter of the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF):

Earlier this month, the 2026 Leadership Public Education Cohort culminated its six months of leadership development programming with session 6. The day-long convening welcomed education and non-profit leaders who shared insight on navigating communication and conflict, direct engagement with Metro Nashville Public Schools, and advocacy training. Dr. Diarese George, NPEF President and CEO, also presented on the importance of building on this experience by finding meaningful ways to support public schools and other organizations serving students.

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and NPEF celebrated the 7th cohort with a graduation and reception. Throughout the program, cohort members engaged in expert-led sessions, panel discussions, and research that explored key issues and opportunities facing Metro Nashville Public Schools. Overall, they addressed history, education policy, funding, workforce pathways, talent management, accountability, and school options.

MORE EDUCATION NEWS

Judge Hits Pause on State Takeover of Memphis Schools

Voucher Vendor Gets Big Contract Increase

Posted on by

Nashville Blue Ribbon Teacher Awards

From the Nashville Public Education Foundation’s (NPEF) newsletter:

Are you or do you know someone who is an eligible educator who demonstrates excellence in leadership, instruction, or student success and opportunity? If so, submit an application. Applicants will undergo a rigorous application process, including a judging panel of public education stakeholders. Only 25 educators will be selected as winners and receive a $2,000 check, trophy, reception hosted by Vanderbilt University, and a round-trip flight courtesy of Southwest Airlines. 

The application is open for eligible educators through August 17, 2026.

Find out more and apply!

cityscape of nashville tennessee at dawn
Photo by Cesar G on Pexels.com

MORE EDUCATION NEWS

Tennessee Leads the Nation in Teacher Loss

Super Bowl is No Win for TN Kids

Posted on by

Taking on Direct Instruction

Nashville education writer TC Weber takes on the latest new old craze making waves over at the Tennessee Star: Direct Instruction.

What concerns me isn’t necessarily the existence of Direct Instruction.

It’s the assumption that it should become the dominant model everywhere.

Education reformers often fall in love with universal solutions.

Teachers know better.

Students are different.

Schools are different.

Communities are different.

What works in one classroom may fail spectacularly in another.

That’s why good teachers employ multiple strategies.

They adapt.

They adjust.

They respond.

They don’t simply read scripts.

And that’s where Direct Instruction starts making me nervous.

A heavily scripted curriculum inevitably diminishes teacher autonomy.

cityscape of nashville tennessee at dawn
Photo by Cesar G on Pexels.com

MORE EDUCATION NEWS

Trump Voucher Scheme Becomes Boon for Billionaires

Tennessee Kids Lose as Super Bowl Comes to Nashville

Posted on by

Pre-K Changes in Nashville

The Nashville Banner reports on a change in the way pre-K classrooms are structured in Nashville, using the case of Inglewood Elementary.

At a school like Inglewood, with a high enrollment of Black, white and Latino students and kids from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, separating the pre-K students by income had the unintended result of separating them by race. 

Inglewood Elementary’s PTA spent the past school year rallying to urge Metro Nashville Public Schools to change its funding policy for pre-K classrooms. With the support of Inglewood teachers and administration, parents raised concerns that separating students by income — and sometimes, as a result, race — is inequitable and violates decades of research on the educational benefits of diverse early learning environments. 

After a series of letters and meetings with district representatives and school board members, the district agreed. Pre-K students of all income levels will learn side-by-side starting next school year — not just at Inglewood but at all MNPS preschools with this funding structure. 

cityscape of nashville tennessee at dawn
Photo by Cesar G on Pexels.com

MORE EDUCATION NEWS

More State Interference in Memphis

How Bill Lee Failed Tennessee Schools

Posted on by

Recipe for Success

TC Weber talks about what makes success in schools possible:

Metro Nashville Public Schools loves to celebrate the exceptional achievements of its student body. Every district does. Test score gains get packaged into press releases. Graduation rates become hashtags. State recognitions become LinkedIn celebrations for administrators and consultants.

But I can promise you this: ninety-five percent of student success comes from two things — individual hard work and a meaningful connection with a teacher willing to work every bit as hard as the student does.

And here’s the part central office rarely highlights: the system itself often makes both the student and the teacher jump through hoops in order to excel.

That’s where good principals matter.

A truly good principal creates the conditions for success. They protect teachers from unnecessary nonsense. They give educators the freedom and support to do extraordinary things. They recognize that education isn’t produced by a spreadsheet alignment meeting or a slogan printed on a banner. It’s produced by human beings building trust with other human beings.

cityscape of nashville tennessee at dawn
Photo by Cesar G on Pexels.com

MORE EDUCATION NEWS

What Testing Really Measures

Who Needs Human Librarians?

Posted on by

Public Schools Hall of Fame

The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) will hold its Annual Public Schools Hall of Fame luncheon on August 27th at 11:30 AM at the Music City Center.

The event will honor outstanding Nashville educators, leaders, and community members.

cityscape of nashville tennessee at dawn
Photo by Cesar G on Pexels.com

MORE EDUCATION NEWS

Tennessee’s Relentless Pursuit of White Supremacy

Bill Lee’s Race to the Bottom

Posted on by

MNPS’s Battle Recognized by TN Superintendents Organization

The newsletter of the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) notes:

The Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents has selected MNPS Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle as the 2026 Mid-Cumberland Superintendent of the Year. The good news was announced while she was being honored during a TOSS Mid-Cumberland Superintendents’ Study Council. 

TOSS Executive Director Dr. Gary Lilly remarked, “Dr. Battle is truly leading the region in the impact she is having on students in Nashville…This award is a recognition from her peer superintendents in Mid-Cumberland of years’ worth of innovation and service.” 

Dr. Battle is the first MNPS graduate to lead the district, and the first woman in the role. In addition to the Superintendent of the Year award, she has recently received the following recognitions: 

  • Excellence in Family Engagement Award from AASA and National PTA.
  • A distinguished alumni honor from Missouri State University.
  • A new University of Tennessee, Knoxville partnership providing full-tuition scholarships to MNPS students.

MORE EDUCATION NEWS

Tennessee Policymakers, School Leaders Lean-in to White Supremacy

Tennessee: Last in the Nation in School Funding

Posted on by

Nashville Public Schools Hall of Fame Honorees Announced

The Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) announced its 2026 Public Schools Hall of Fame honorees:

The Nashville Public Education Foundation is proud to share the five inspiring honorees for the 22nd Public Schools Hall of Fame Luncheon. Categorized by Inspiring Educator, Inspiring Leader, and Inspiring Innovation, the honorees are Quanita Adams, Kevin Stevens, Dr. Michael Pratt, DYMON in the Rough (Dynamic Young Minorities of Nashville), and Girls Write Nashville. 

“As bold supporters of Nashville’s public education system, it is essential to recognize the courageous individuals who champion students, enhance academic settings, strengthen our communities, and cultivate a better future for generations to come,” expressed Wanda Lyle, NPEF Board Chair. “We are thrilled to welcome attendees to the Hall of Fame in August and share in an afternoon of inspiration.” 

cityscape of nashville tennessee at dawn
Photo by Cesar G on Pexels.com

MORE EDUCATION NEWS

Lee’s Lamentable Legacy

The Indianapolis Privatization Nightmare