In the News

But some community members who registered to speak at the committee hearing, including parents and conservative advocates, said schools should steer clear of such issues. They described mental health services in schools, as well as surveys of students about their well-being, as government “overreach.”

“I want you to lead in education, not in solving mental health,” said Mary Lowe, chair of the Tarrant County chapter of Moms for Liberty, a national network of politically active groups opposing social-emotional learning and discussion of race and gender in the classroom. “I want you to respect parents and get back in your lane.”

Jadon Moore arrived at Ravenwood High earlier this month to discover a shocking statement typed into the username prompt of his computer.

It was was a racial slur. Strategically placed so he would see it.

One frustrating thing about The Tennessean is that it does such a great job of hiring talented writers, and then saddles them with stupid decisions they can do nothing about. Until they move on, or they’re laid off — then we all sit around hoping WPLN or someone else can scoop them up.

E-reader apps that became a lifeline for students during the pandemic are now in the crossfire of a culture war raging over books in schools and public libraries.

In several states, apps and the companies that run them have been targeted by conservative parents who have pushed schools and public libraries to shut down their digital programs, which let users download and read books on their smartphones, tablets or laptops.

Most Tennesseans are opposed to banning books, despite lawmakers' recent efforts to restrict what is available in school libraries, a new poll finds.

During the last days of this year's legislative session, Tennessee lawmakers quickly passed a law opening the door for potential statewide bans on books challenged by parents in public schools.

The bill gives the politically-appointed state textbook commission, which includes controversial members like a long-time activist accused of being "anti-Muslim," the authority to hear appeals from students, families or school employees who disagree with a local school board's decision regarding a challenged book.

Chara Dixon and Keishana Barnes want Tennessee schools to teach their children about slavery, the Jim Crow era, and the civil rights movement. They both believe that educators should roll out lessons about U.S. history in an age-appropriate manner.

But the two women have very different ideas about the right age for those lessons, stemming in large part from their personal experiences, including how they’re raising their children.

Officials nationwide have raced to enact new laws and introduce new policies meant to shape how students learn and discuss history. Many of these efforts have attempted to ban critical race theory, an academic framework primarily taught at the college level that examines how policies and the law perpetuate systemic racism.

The Nashville Public Library launched a campaign urging readers to check out "banned books" — a push that comes as two Tennessee school districts are removing critically acclaimed works from their curriculums.

The NPL's "Freedom to Read" effort is seeking to sign up 5,000 new Davidson County residents for library cards in the month ending on May 26.

Nashville Public Library is protesting banned books by way of a bright yellow library card with a special message: "I read banned books."

The limited-edition cards are a part of the library's Freedom to Read campaign celebrating the "right to read."

Williamson County voters made their voices heard Tuesday in the county Republican and Democratic primary election.

American schools have suddenly found themselves at the center of several fierce cultural debates, particularly related to race and racism. The stakes are high — both politically and educationally.