Comptroller’s Office Releases First Review of Literacy Success Act

The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) has completed its first annual review of the implementation of the Tennessee Literacy Success Act (LSA).

Passed during the General Assembly’s 2021 Special Session on Education, the LSA seeks to ensure that students in early grades are on track to become proficient readers by the end of 3rd grade. The Comptroller’s Office has been tasked with reviewing the implementation of the LSA’s provisions and reporting its findings to state education leaders.

The Comptroller’s review found that overall, the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) and local districts and charter schools are implementing the major directives of the Literacy Success Act. A few items remain in progress. A small sample of districts and schools contacted by OREA suggested some improvements, but they were generally positive about implementation of the LSA’s requirements.

Key requirements of the LSA include:

• State-approved universal reading screeners are to be administered to all K-3 students three times each year. TDOE made a free reading screener available beginning in 2021-22 and all districts and charter schools reported students’ screener results to TDOE using one of the state-approved screeners.
• All K-5 teachers are to complete one...

Comptroller Mumpower Names New Director of Local Government Finance

[Tuesday, November 01, 2022] – Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Jason Mumpower is pleased to announce that Sheila Reed is the state’s new Director of Local Government Finance.

Local Government Finance plays a key role in ensuring Tennessee’s counties, metropolitan governments, municipalities, utility districts, and other governmental water and wastewater systems stay financially healthy.

Sheila Reed has worked for the Comptroller’s Office for 34 years and has held key positions in the divisions of Local Government Audit, State and Local Finance, and, most recently, as the Assistant Director of Local Government Finance. She is a certified public accountant, a graduate of Austin Peay State University, and is active within the Tennessee Government Finance Officers Association.

Counties Eligible to Apply for USDA Farm to School Grant

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened the FY2023 application for competitive awards in the Farm to School Grant program, which supports planning, developing and implementing farm to school programs. USDA's Farm to School grants help bring healthy, locally grown foods to kids through child nutrition programs, including school breakfast and lunch. 

These grants also are an important way to help state, regional and local organizations as they initiate, expand and institutionalize child nutrition programs that provide high-quality local foods to schools as well as nutrition education. County governments along with schools, farmers and other organizations that help produce or serve meals to kids through USDA’s child nutrition programs can apply now for this grant and must send an application by January 6, 2023.

In 2023, USDA will award approximately $12 million in grants through a competitive process that provides…

Counties Take Action to Participate in Operation Green Light for Veterans

This coming Veterans Day, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO) invite county leaders to join Operation Green Light for Veterans by lighting our buildings green from November 7 to November 13.

NACo’s initiative will shine a light on the issues veterans face across the country and the resources available to veterans at the county, state and federal levels. Many counties have already pledged to participate in Operation Green Light to show gratitude and support for the men and women who have selflessly served our country. In preparation for Veterans Day, NACo is highlighting counties participating in Operation Green Light for Veterans. 

ENDS TODAY!

Click below for this deal from NACo.