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Damon Mitchell

Nashville schools roll out a new no-cost lunch program as kids return to the classroom

By Damon Mitchell

August 12, 2022

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Nashville public schools are providing no-cost meals to every kid in the district for the next two school years. Metro Schools is using federal ESSER funds to cover the cost of the lunches — budgeted at $7.5 million.

Filed Under: Education, WPLN News Tagged With: Education, Metro Schools

Critical race theory was one of the hottest topics in Tennessee’s legislative session, but only one complaint made it to the state’s education chief

By Damon Mitchell

August 10, 2022

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Tennessee lawmakers have been smack dab in the middle of the national hoopla about bans limiting what can be discussed about race and gender in public schools. But during the most recent school years, only one complaint was filed, and it was denied.

Filed Under: Education, Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: 112th Tennessee General Assembly, Blount County Schools, book bans, critical race theory, curriculum, Education, tennessee department of education

Tennessee’s embattled school voucher program gets the go-ahead from a panel of judges

By Damon MitchellandCaroline Eggers

August 7, 2022

A three-judge panel has given the green light to Tennessee’s controversial Education Savings Account program. The decision came down after a lengthy court hearing Friday.

Filed Under: Education, WPLN News Tagged With: education savings account, school vouchers, tennessee department of education

Staffing shortages are plaguing Tennessee HBCUs, and that’s making it harder for students to graduate

By Damon Mitchell

August 4, 2022

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Like many K-12 schools across the state, Tennessee’s historically Black colleges are in a staffing crisis. It’s a years-long problem that has affected how fast students can get their financial aid and housing applications processed.

Filed Under: Education, Race & Equity, WPLN News Tagged With: HBCU, Higher Education, Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Tennessee State University

Podcast: How an ornamental tree led neighbors to the history of their North Nashville corner

By Tony GonzalezandDamon Mitchell

August 3, 2022

tree North Nashville
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A sixth-generation Nashvillian says she’s rarely surprised by new information about her city — but did start wondering about what she describes as a “bonsai-looking cypress tree” in her yard. She uncovered a rich history about her neighborhood and shares it with Curious Nashville.

Filed Under: Curious Nashville Tagged With: Curious Nashville, trees

Tennessee’s new vouchers could shake up public schools, but as classes resume it’s still wait-and-see

By Damon Mitchell

August 3, 2022

It’s unlikely that Nashville public schools will face an exodus of students because of Tennessee’s Education Savings Account Program anytime soon. In addition to Metro Schools, ESAs are open to students in Memphis-Shelby County Schools and the Achievement School District.

Filed Under: Education, WPLN News Tagged With: education savings account, school vouchers, tennessee department of education

Public education advocates want Nashville to be known as a great place for kids, not just tourists

By Damon Mitchell

July 28, 2022

Mill Ridge Park Nashville
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One of Nashville’s biggest public school advocate groups are asking Metro officials to make bigger moves to support local students. The Nashville Public Education Foundation wants the city to create what’s called a child opportunity index.

Filed Under: Education, WPLN News Tagged With: Education, Housing, Metro Schools, Tennessee kids

After local rejection, Hillsdale-affiliated charter petitions state for approval

By Damon Mitchell

July 27, 2022

Under Mayor Freddie O'Connell's Capital Spending Plan, Metro Nashville Public Schools has been allocated $98 million.

Hillsdale-affiliated charter school American Classical Academy Madison is still planning to open, despite being denied by the Jackson-Madison County school district.

Filed Under: Education, WPLN News Tagged With: American Classical Education, Hillsdale College, Jackson-Madison County School System, Tennessee Public Charter School Commission

Tennessee’s school voucher program is back in court Aug. 5, days before school starts

By Damon Mitchell

July 26, 2022

Tennessee’s Education Savings Account program will be heading back to court on Aug. 5. A motion for a temporary injunction to stop the roll-out was filed by the Shelby and Davidson County governments.

Filed Under: Education, WPLN News Tagged With: Bill Lee, education savings account, school vouchers

Tennessee’s gun laws can be complicated. Here are some of the basics.

By Damon Mitchell

July 26, 2022

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There are all sorts of firearms that you can legally own in Tennessee. Many of them fall into two categories: semi-automatic and fully automatic. Other firearms can be described as bolt-action, lever-action, pump-action and break-action.

Filed Under: Politics, WPLN News Tagged With: firearms, gun control, Gun culture, gun laws, guns

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