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Linda McMahon fielded questions from Senators about her department’s proposed smaller budget.
The THEC announced that nearly 55,000 seniors completed a FAFSA for the 2025-2026 academic year, ranking first in the nation and the highest level of FAFSA engagement in state history.
One unresolved question was whether lawmakers might further expand the number of families who can use tax dollars for private school expenses.
The House voted to adopt legislation that creates an oversight board over certain school districts, including MSCS. It now heads to Governor Bill Lee’s desk for his signature.
The Senate voted to approve an oversight board with far-reaching powers for Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) beginning next school year.
An amendment under consideration would expand the scope of who can qualify to use tax dollars for private school expenses.
The House’s version of the legislation increases the number of available scholarships by 15,000.
House Bill 2420 will require the state to close virtual schools falling “significantly below expectations” for three consecutive years.
The report suggests that postsecondary students who receive persistent coaching and grants are more likely to return to campus for a second year.
The bill would require public schools to set aside a period for prayer and the reading of religious texts, namely the Bible.
Rep. Elaine Davis is sponsoring three bills, including one that’s up for a vote Tuesday.
The debate on the bill moved into a tense discussion about the Civil Rights Act and DEI.
Supporters say the expansion is needed because the program has reached its 20,000-scholarship capacity for two consecutive years.
The bill will be put on hold for the year because of concerns it might cause the state to forfeit a billion dollars in federal funding.
The bill would require all public colleges and universities to adopt policies on freedom of expression and on each institution’s role in political and social action.
Representatives Yusuf Hakeem and Sam McKenzie helped preserve barriers for families enrolling out-of-district.
School districts may display the Biblical texts, along with the first sentence of the second paragraph of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, and the preamble to the United States Constitution, in a “prominent location.”
The House K-12 Subcommittee advanced House Bill 2422 to the full Education Committee on a vote that split both parties.
The plan passed despite Rep. Clemmons’ attempt to strip the funding that supports high-performing schools serving his district.