Education

JUST ONE QUESTION: Education Tops Antioch Listener's Concerns

AP/WMOT — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:26:12 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP/WMOT) — The stakes are high tonight as President Barack Obama faces off against Republican challenger Mitt Romney in the second of three presidential campaign debates.

The meeting will take place on the campus of Hofstra University in New York. Undecided voters attending the debate will get a chance to ask the night’s questions.

WMOT is asking Tennesseans what one question they would ask the candidates if given the chance. Today we hear from Scott Smith. Smith lives in Antioch and works retail sales in Murfreesboro.

Keeping Up with Students and Their Mobile Devices

Mike Osborne — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:03:06 +0000

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- More than 300 educators from across Tennessee arrived in the mid-state Monday to learn more about using mobile devices in the classroom.

The conference is being sponsored jointly by Middle Tennessee State University and the Tennessee Board of Regents. Educators from 18 Tennessee Universities and Colleges are providing input.

Tom Wallace, head of MTSU’s Information Technology Division , is the conference host.

Improved Health Noted Among Tenn. Children

AP/WMOT — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:05:07 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — A new study finds Tennessee's kids are the healthiest in the South.

TEA's Take on the 107th Tenn. General Assembly

Mike Osborne — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:52:32 +0000

MURFREESBORO, Tenn (WMOT) -- State legislators recently wrapped up the work of the 107^th Tennessee General Assembly and WMOT is asking newsmakers from across the political spectrum to share their impressions of the session.

Today we hear the views of Gera Summerford, president of the state’s largest teacher’s union, the Tennessee Education Association.

Summerford says that, compared to last year when the legislature enacted a number of measures the TEA opposed, this most recent session was far less confrontational.

Academic Gains for Mid-State Schools

Mike Osborne — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:45:58 +0000

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- Six of the 18 Tennessee schools honored this week for academic gains are located here in the Mid-State. Two are located in Rutherford County.

Principal Barbara Sales of Murfreesboro’s Hobgood Elementary and Principal Andra Helton of Rutherford County’s Thurman Francis Elementary picked up “Value-Added Achievement Awards” for their schools on Monday.

The awards are based on data tracked by the Tennessee Department of Education and indicate schools that show significant improvement in test scores year-over-year.

ACLU to Challenge "Monkey" Law

Mike Osborne — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:58:20 +0000

MURFREESBORO, Tenn (WMOT) -- The Tennessee chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union says it’s already talking to potential plaintiffs about challenging Tennessee’s so-called "monkey law."

The measure became law Tuesday without Governor Haslam’s signature. The governor complained that the bill would likely cause confusion, but also noted that it passed with comfortable margins in both chambers of the Tennessee legislature.

State PTA Pres. Disturbed by Parental Invovlement Bills

Mike Osborne — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:51:29 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers appear determined to legislate parent involvement in the education of their children and that has the head of the state Parent Teacher Association fired up.

TBR Says Nothing to Fear from Obama Initiative

Mike Osborne — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:17:37 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — The 46 institutions of higher learning governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents have nothing to fear from President Barack Obama’s latest education initiative, according to TBR Chancellor John Morgan.

The Associated Press says in a story released Monday that the Obama administration is concerned about rising student debt, which now averages over $25,000. The president is also reportedly concerned by the apparent disconnect between what students learn at the nation's universities and the skills employers say they're looking for.

Will No Child Waiver Boost Teacher Morale?

AP/WMOT — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:33:42 +0000

NASHVILLE, Tenn (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam says he hopes Tennessee's waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind education law boosts teacher morale.

President Barack Obama announced yesterday that Tennessee is among 10 states to receive the waiver.

No Child Left Behind requires all students to be proficient in reading and math by 2014, which critics say is unrealistic.

Phil Waldrop, the Associate Dean at Middle Tennessee State’s College of Education says it’s one less thing for teachers to worry about.

Governor's Education Plan Gets Chilly Reception

Associated Press — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:33:54 +0000

MOUNT PLEASANT, Tenn (AP/WMOT) — Governor Bill Haslam's plan to lift a cap on class size averages is meeting resistance from educators.