Democrats for Education Reform Supports TN Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman’s Reforms
Democrats for Education Reform commends the Tennessee Board of Education for providing school districts with much-needed flexibility to set educator salaries and encourages it to pass a crucial reform of the state’s educator licensure system. The reform to the State Minimum Salary Schedule, proposed by Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman, passed last Friday. The Board of Education also heard a proposal from Commissioner Huffman to reform Tennessee’s educator licensure system.
The salary schedule reforms approved by the Board of Education will grant school districts much more discretion in setting salary levels that meet the needs of schools. While Tennessee is one of only 15 states with a teacher salary schedule set by statute, the reformed program will grant principals the ability to set salaries in a way that reflects local needs.
The Board of Education also heard Commissioner Huffman’s proposal to revise educator licensing. Currently, Tennessee grants teachers one of 20 different licenses in a complex process that does not consider teacher effectiveness. The reformed system would streamline the types of licenses and tie licensure decisions to teacher effectiveness. DFER looks forward to the upcoming vote on the licensure proposals and encourages the Board of Education to pass these reforms.