Explore
A happy new year is on the horizon for Tennessee families
It’s well documented that Tennessee families are struggling to find quality child care and preschool, and most can’t afford it when they find it. As a result, many parents are reducing work hours or opting out of work altogether. In turn, businesses across the state are struggling to fill jobs and economic growth is significantly dampened as a result. Moreover, the lack
Tennessee’s review of the state education funding formula
We’ll update this post and alert our coalition via social media as new information becomes available. So, check back periodically over the next several months and be sure you’re following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. How it started: On Oct. 8, Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced that the state will do a
Blair Taylor appointed to Tennessee Child Care Task Force
Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (TQEE) President and CEO Blair Taylor has been appointed to serve on the Tennessee Child Care Task Force – a 15-member body charged with developing a strategic plan that will better ensure Tennessee’s working families can access quality, affordable child care. Taylor was appointed in her capacity as president of Memphis Tomorrow, an association of CEOs
TQEE launches Bright Start TN
Tennesseans for Quality Early Education launches Bright Start Tennessee Network to accelerate early learning outcomes statewide Six inaugural community partnerships selected to design and implement evidence-based early success plans Nashville, Tenn. – Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (TQEE) announced today that it has launched the Bright Start Tennessee Network (Bright Start TN) – a new statewide initiative of TQEE to accelerate early learning outcomes and
TQEE releases 2021 early education poll results
Voters believe COVID-19 is biggest problem facing Tennessee’s Pre-K – third grade classrooms; Vast majority worried children have fallen behindNew poll results show overwhelming support for increased investments in early education Tennessee voters believe the COVID-19 pandemic is the most important problem facing Tennessee’s Pre-K through third grade classrooms, and 79 percent are worried that too many school children fell behind in
TQEE Appoints Nicole Smith Vice President of Communications
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (TQEE) has announced the appointment of Nicole Smith as vice president of communications. In this role, Smith will oversee strategic development and implementation of TQEE’s communications, public relations and marketing programs, as well as manage the organization’s brand as Tennessee’s leader in early education policy and advocacy. “We are thrilled to welcome Nicole to the
2021 Legislative Wrap Up
Big successes for early education, children and families this year! We had a very successful 2021 legislative session. Three legislative proposals were introduced on TQEE’s behalf, and we endorsed another six. Additionally, TQEE endorsed and advocated in support of the Governor’s legislative package presented in a special legislative session on education called by Governor Lee in January. A Strategic Reset of Tennessee’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program HB137/SB144 “Tennessee
New Report: TN PreK Quality Among Top 12 in Nation; But Access Still Lags
TDOE announced today that Tennessee's Voluntary PreK Program (TN-VPK) now meets 9 out of 10 quality standards benchmarks that evaluate the effectiveness of preschool education programs, according to The State of Preschool 2020 report issued by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). Tennessee is among only 12 states in the nation with this distinction, which comes as a result of successful
Happy Week-of-the-Young-Child!
Happy week of the young child everyone! The Week of the Young Child® is an annual celebration sponsored by the the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 50 years ago to celebrate children 0-8 and their families. Watch this clip with Tabatha Rosproy, who was named Teacher of the Year in 2020 and was the first-ever early childhood teacher to
Governor Lee’s Education Bill Package is a Strong Start for Tackling TN’s Early Learning Gap
TQEE actively supported the Lee administration’s education proposals during the special session as a strong and important start for addressing the literacy crisis and education-related challenges laid bare by the pandemic. With nearly two-thirds of Tennessee’s third graders not proficient in reading and math – a number that has likely worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic – improving early education is an
