Statewide education policies affect millions of students, families, and communities and have a critical and far-reaching impact on educational equity and justice. That’s why legislative advocacy is a core function of our work at The Education Trust in Tennessee. We’re actively engaged in executing multi-faceted advocacy strategies — from helping families and communities reach out to their elected officials to working in concert with state-level education leaders on developing community-informed policies that have the greatest impact on expanding educational equity and opportunities. Statewide education policies affect millions of students, families, and communities and have a critical and far-reaching impact on educational equity and justice. These tools are designed to help stakeholders effectively advocate for education justice in Tennessee. “#5Things” is a series for education advocates who want to stay in the know about the latest education meetings, data tools and reports, and want to learn more about the governing bodies that impact education policy in Tennessee. MaKenzie is the Senior Manager of Government Relations at Ed Trust – Tennessee, where she develops legislative strategy to… Ariel is the LEE Public Policy Fellow at The Education Trust - Tennessee, where she supports various projects and… Every February, Tennessee’s governor delivers a State of the State Address to share their legislative agenda and budget proposal… See the OREA K-12 Dashboard1. Between 2019 to 2020, there was an increase of more than 30,000 students with… Our state budget is about more than tax revenue and allocating funding: it’s about our values and meeting the… Dr. Penny Schwinn, CommissionerTennessee Department of Education710 James Robertson ParkwayNashville, TN 37243RE: Tennessee’s Funding for Student Success: Stud… From opposing the hurried passage of HB580 and SB623 in the final days of the 2021 legislative session and… The Education Trust in Tennessee applauds Governor Lee and Commissioner Schwinn’s announcement today and their commitment to engaging in… 1. As of March 15, Tennessee’s FAFSA submission rate is 35 percentage points behind last year’s rate.While the FAFSA… 1. TDOE released initial data on how students and families navigated the retention exemption process.During the 2022-2023 academic school… 1. There are three main components of federal education funding. Each component directly impacts every student in Tennessee, especially… 1. In 2022, students of color accounted for larger enrollment proportions in higher education than ever before.Source: THEC Fact… 1. The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) is in the process of changing Tennessee’s ESSA Plan based on new… 1. After years of significant decline, the college-going rate has increased by 1.5 percentage points. Tennessee’s college-going rate (CGR), the… The Honorable Rep. Cameron SextonSpeaker of the HouseThe Honorable Rep. William LamberthHouse Majority LeaderThe Honorable Rep. Karen CamperHouse Minority… Work at The Education Trust - TNThe Education Trust- Tennessee is committed to diversity in all facets of our… Yesterday’s release of “College Going and the Class of 2022” from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission showcases Tennessee’s steps… At the Tennessee State Capitol, a group of high school and college students representing the EmpowerED initiative at Ed… Social, emotional, and academic development (SEAD) is a holistic approach to supporting students' development and learning that is integral… The Education Trust - Tennessee looks forward to continued engagement with the Tennessee Department of Education and Lizzette Gonzalez… The Honorable Cameron Sexton, Speaker of the HouseThe Honorable William Lamberth, House Republican LeaderThe Honorable Jeremy Faison, Republican Caucus… Statement from Gini Pupo-Walker, State Director for The Education Trust in Tennessee on the Tennessee State Board of Education’s… We commend Governor Bill Lee for convening the General Assembly for an extraordinary special session in January and calling… The devastating COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of millions of people across our country and world, and Tennessee… Tennessee Congressional DelegationUnited States CongressWashington, D.C.Dear Members of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation,The Education Trust in Tennessee… April March February January August April March February January April March February JanuaryFeatured Advocacy Efforts
TN Education Advocacy Hub
Education Policy & Governance in Tennessee
Our Experts
MaKenzie L. Mosby, MPP
Senior Manager of Government Relations
Ariel Keller
LEE Public Policy Fellow
Advocacy Letters & Official Statements
Load MoreThe Education Trust in Tennessee issues the following statement in response to Governor Lee’s State of the State Address and Budget Proposal for 2023-2024
5 Things Equity Advocates Should Know About…OREA’s K-12 Dashboard
Education Trust in Tennessee issues the following statement in response to Governor Lee’s State of the State Address and Budget Proposal for 2022-2023
Ed Trust in Tennessee Submits Public Comments on Student-Based Formula Draft Framework
The Education Trust in Tennessee Issues Statement on Recent TDOE Emergency Rules Regarding “Prohibited Concepts in Instruction”
Ed Trust in Tennessee Releases Statement in Response to Gov. Lee’s Announcement to Review the State’s Education Funding Formula
Load More5 Things Equity Advocates Should Know About … The Better FAFSA Rollout in Tennessee
5 Things Equity Advocates Should Know About… The Fall Quarterly TN State Board of Education Meeting
5 Things Equity Advocates Should Know About… Tennessee’s Joint Working Group on Federal Education Funding
5 Things Equity Advocates Should Know About… The 2023 THEC Fact Book
5 Things Equity Advocates Should Know About… The Summer Quarterly TN State Board of Education Meeting
5 Things Equity Advocates Should Know About… The Class of 2022 College Going Report
Load MoreThe Education Trust – Tennessee Voucher Statement
Tennessee Jobs & Fellowships
The Education Trust – Tennessee’s statement on THEC’s “College Going and the Class of 2022” Report
Tennessee Students Advocate at the State Capitol
How Does Tennessee Support Students Social, Emotional, and Academic Development (SEAD)?
The Education Trust – Tennessee statement on announcement of new Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Education
Load MoreLetter to Tennessee General Assembly Opposing HB580
Ed Trust in Tennessee Applauds State Board of Education Unanimous Adoption of Educator Diversity Policy
Statement on Signing of TN General Assembly Special Session Legislation
Statement on TN General Assembly Special Session: Keeping Equity at the Center of Policymaking
Letter to Tennessee Congressional Delegation Calling for Expansion of Pandemic EBT Program
Legislative Advocacy Newsletter Archive
