Tennessee Firefly
Online/Digital
Named after Tennessee's official state insect, the Tennessee Firefly shines a light on the untold and under-told stories about education and government in the Volunteer State.
Since 2004, more than 2,500 newspapers have closed – and remaining media has altered its focus and coverage to survive. Decisions and policies at the state and local level have a direct impact on the lives of every Tennessean. The Tennessee Firefly seeks to strengthen our communities through factual journalism with a local focus to increase civic engagement and awareness.
Our reporters and contributors will keep you in the know with stories and commentary centered around the leaders and policies that impact Tennessee.
The Tennessee Firefly launched in 2022. Its operations are funded in part by Tennesseans for Student Success, a statewide network of teachers, parents, community leaders, and volunteers who are dedicated to supporting, championing, and fighting for Tennessee’s public school students and their futures. Source
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| Scope | Local |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Country | United States of America |
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Recent Articles
Search ArticlesTennessee Public Charter Schools Commission Reverses Gate School, Music City Academy Application Denials
Two unanimous charter approvals Friday will open new doors for Nashville students – and provide prospective operators a pathway around Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS)’s consistent track record of public charter school denials.¶ The Tennessee Public Charter School Commission (TPCSC) unanimously overturned MNPS’s denials of Music City Academy and The Gate School after its executive director Tess Stovall recommended authorizing both schools.
Merrol Hyde Third Grader Timothy Bell Jr. Named Tennessee’s Top Elementary Reader in Tristar Reads
Timothy Bell Jr. spent about 136 hours with a book this past summer over the course of just 10 weeks. On Sept. 18, he was honored for his literacy voracity at a school assembly at Merrol Hyde Magnet School as the 2026 Tristar Reads Elementary School Division winner.¶ The third grader received a $1,000 college scholarship from Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS), sponsored by Atmos Energy. Bell also received a proclamation from the Tennessee General Assembly recognizing his achievement.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools Files New Lawsuit in Attempt to Halt State Intervention
The fight over who runs Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) expanded into another courtroom Thursday, while the state-appointed oversight board appears closer than ever to exercising its authority.¶ MSCS has filed a new lawsuit in Shelby County Chancery Court asking a state judge to halt the intervention. This comes just days after U.S. District Judge Waverly D.
New Federal Rules Clear Path for Tennessee's K-12 Scholarship Tax Credit Program
New federal guidance released Oct. 1 provides states, donors, and scholarship-granting organizations with a clearer roadmap for implementing the Education Freedom Tax Credit, a new federal program designed to encourage private donations for K-12 scholarships.¶ For Tennessee, which has already opted into the program, the guidance marks an important step toward implementation.
Tennessee Leads the South in National Education Rankings Following Decades of Improvements
Tennessee has climbed from near the bottom of national education rankings to the top 20, marking a significant shift in the state's academic performance over the past two decades, according to a new report from the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE).¶ The report, Tennessee Leads the South on NAEP After Two Decades of Progress, finds that Tennessee rose from 42nd nationally in 2003 to 16th in 2024 on a composite measure of fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math performance.
State Director Recommends Overturning Two MNPS Charter Denials; Decisions Could Reshape Nashville Approval Process
Two Nashville public charter schools rejected by Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) are now recommended for state approval, setting up a Friday vote that could change much more than just whether either school opens.¶ Tennessee Public Charter School Commission Executive Director Tess Stovall is recommending commissioners overturn MNPS’s denials of Music City Academy and The Gate School.
Study Ranks Tennessee Second in Nation for Return on Investment in Education
Tennessee ranks second in the nation for return on investment in education spending, according to the Heritage Foundation's 2026 Education Freedom Report Card, placing the state among the country's highest performers on a measure that compares educational resources with academic outcomes.¶ The report ranks Tennessee seventh overall among states for education freedom and second place for return on investment in education, reflecting its relatively low per-student spending, performance on...
Former MNPS Teacher Alleges Abuse in Dodson Special Education Classroom
A former teacher’s allegations and a parent’s decision to pull her son from Dodson Elementary are raising questions about student safety and accountability inside Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) special education classrooms.¶ Former Dodson Elementary School special education teacher Amelia Cato, who resigned from her position at the school on Aug. 19, spoke at the MNPS Board of Education meeting on Sept.
Tennessee Public College Enrollment Rises Again in 2026
College enrollment is up across Tennessee, but the biggest story might be who is showing up.¶ Tennessee’s public colleges enrolled nearly 3,000 more students this fall, with first-time freshmen and a dramatic rebound at Tennessee State University driving the statewide increase.
New Fund Aims to Help Tennessee Public Charter Schools Pay for Facilities
Tennessee’s public charter schools are facing more than $72 million in funding needs, and some much-needed help may finally be on the way.¶ The Tennessee Charter School Center (TCSC) announced that it is introducing the Volunteer Facilities Fund during its Tennessee Charter School Convening on Sept. 24 in Nashville.