Tennessee State Board of Education

09/24/2026

State Board member Dr. Ina Maxwell visited Pleasant Hill Elementary this week for their Celebrate Dolly Day! In honor of Dolly Parton’s lifelong love of literacy, the school invited guest readers, and Dr. Maxwell jumped at the chance to read to some of Tennessee’s future leaders.

Thank you, Pleasant Hill Elementary, for the invitation and for keeping a love of reading alive in your students! 📚

Cumberland County Schools, Crossville, TN

09/23/2026

The Tennessee Purple Star School Award Application is now open!

This award recognizes schools dedicated to supporting military-connected students and their families. To earn this award, a school must complete a series of required activities and at least one optional activity.

Apply now: https://www.tn.gov/sbe/committees-and-initiatives/military-interstate-children-s-compact-tennessee-state-council--mic3-/pssa.html

09/18/2026

👏 A big thank you to our amazing educators on the Standards Development Committee for their hard work this week! They spent many hours in Nashville reviewing and refining Tennessee's current Math standards. Their dedication helps shape the future of K-12 education in Tennessee. THANK YOU!

09/17/2026

Day in the District📍Sequatchie County Schools📍We had a great Day in the District at Sequatchie Co Schools this week! Board members Kelly G Rollins, Jordan Mollenhour, and Dr. Ina Maxwell sat down to hear directly from principals and students through engaging panel discussions. They toured Sequatchie County High School to see the college and career readiness opportunities available to students. Senator Todd Gardenhire also joined us.

Thank you to Director of Schools Sarai Pierce, district and school officials, and local school board members for the warm welcome and for taking the time to share the incredible work happening in your district!

09/11/2026

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost and the courage shown by responders on September 11, 2001. As we honor their memory, we also reflect on the resilience, unity, and hope that continue to inspire future generations. We will never forget. ❤️

09/08/2026

The Tennessee State Board of Education held its first-ever accountability hearings in March 2026. In the latest issue of The Standard, board vice chair Darrell Cobbins outlines how the hearings work, shares lessons for other states, and reflects on his hopes for Tennessee schools. Read more here:

Public conversation, key metrics, and a clear focus on students strengthen Tennessee's work to turnaround low-performing schools.

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, the Tennessee Department of Education celebrates the hardworking Tennesseans whose dedication strengthens our communities and helps shape a brighter future for our students. Wishing everyone a safe, restful, and happy Labor Day. 🦅🛠️🚜👷

09/03/2026

We were honored to join in the celebrations. Congratulations to Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute on 100 years! 🎉

08/31/2026

Last week, we welcomed our new student board member, Marc Williams, to his first quarterly meeting, and Chairman Eby officially pinned him with his Tennessee State Board of Education pin. Welcome aboard, Marc!

08/28/2026

Our quarterly meeting has just started! The agenda items and livestream link are available on our website: https://bit.ly/4ieLxir