Good morning, Nashville. The State of Tennessee was one of 32 groups picked by the US Department of Education to receive a slice of federal grant funding to revamp their system for paying teachers. Specifically, the state is looking at rewarding teachers in some of the state’s worst schools for their students’ performance on standardized tests. The $35 million grant will be spread out over five years and include payouts of up to $10,000 for the most effective teachers as determined by test scores and a few other criteria; additionally, it will fund some teacher training programs. Making things a bit more interesting, Vanderbilt unveiled a study earlier this week showing that teacher incentives had no affect on students’ scores.
- Naner puddin’! The folks in Hickman County are getting creative with their flood relief efforts and holding the world’s only National Banana Pudding Festival. It’s happening next Saturday and will involve 2,100 pounds of banana pudding. And it’s for a good cause! Details here.
- Another flood deadline approaching. And while we’re talking about flood things, those who qualified for FEMA aid have less than a week to buy replacement furniture, appliances and building materials tax-free. The deadline is September 30th and refund information is here.
- Bits & pieces. Metro’s program to combat truancy has seen a 70% success rate … The Metro Council could be cracking down on overgrown lawns … Nashvillians have racked up an average of $24,146 in credit card debt … File “bedbug onslaught” under phrases we never want to hear … Bomb threats that shut down Greenbrier High School in Robertson County are tied to international taunting of a gay teen who made the news a few months ago.
Photo by Mister_Moon.