About 120 Tennessee schools or school districts have submitted requests to the state to pivot to remote learning so far this school year.

Last week, I read through them all.

A thread 🧵⬇️ For the 2020-21 school year, many districts started with remote learning or a hybrid of in-person and remote learning (think A/B schedule days or only letting elementary students return in-person first).

When we are talking about Tennessee schools, "closed" = schools are closed, no one is learning in-person or at home. At least when I report it.

So yes, more than 30 districts were closed this week.

Find that story here: tennessean.com/story/news/edu…

https://twitter.com/memangrum/status/1484980522900148228

Until Thursday evening, the Tennessee Department of Education had not received a request for districtwide switch to remote learning (buildings closed, instruction continues).

Officials also maintained they would not approve such a request.

Since the complaint filed with the Tennessee Department of Education by a local chapter of @Moms4Liberty is popping off on Twitter tonight, let me provide you background — In May, Tennessee was one of the first states (even before Florida) to address conservatives' latest concerns regarding what's happening in the classroom.

Lawmakers passed a law prohibiting 14 race-related concepts from being taught in the classroom.

Starting my week bright and early at Glencliff High School this morning where AP U.S. History students are presenting projects on several Civil War era topics.

Last week, I visited this class while they were working on their projects. Topics include major battles like the Battle of Gettysburg and historical figures like Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis.

The class has already discussed topics like slavery and colonialism this semester — topics that under a new law, some worry will be more difficult to teach.

While y'all are on FALL BREAK this week, catching up on Tennessee education news covered by the @NewYorker, @CNN, @Reuters, @nytimes etc etc — let me remind you of some of the excellent coverage local journalists have done so far this school year. MASKS: Tennesse remains one of the most contentious states when it comes to masks in schools. As case numbers surged, especially among schoolchildren, in August, many districts began to revisit their 'mask optional' policies.

A recap of the Tennessee education news that dropped in the past, I don't know, eight hours — featuring @ldtestino, @aniexum, myself and a very, very exhausted editor or two 🧵⬇️ 1. The Tennessee Department of Education finally gave school districts guidance and expectations regarding quarantine protocols for staff and students.

tennessean.com/story/news/edu…

Sorry for my delay, y'all. Was helping edit a story.

Board member Dan Cash is riled. He asks Golden to give parents "an out" if they don't want "to send their children to school to be around other children."

https://twitter.com/memangrum/status/1431067391077855239

Board member Eric Welch weighs in. He said that after the "clown show" last week, he had hoped the board "would be able to turn down the rhetoric."

"We can disagree without being disagreeable," Welch said.

To clarify: Resolutions aren't legally...anything really.

Also, if @GovBillLee were to extend his emergency order, Williamson County would still need the @TNedu approve an official request to pivot school(s) to remote learning.

https://twitter.com/memangrum/status/1431056328206819328

Don't worry, the next topic isn't nearly as confusing (sarcasm here).

Now we are clarifying quarantine policies for staff!

I am settled in with @aniexum here at the Williamson County Schools special-called board meeting tonight.

I've never seen so many law enforcement officials at a school board meeting.

https://twitter.com/memangrum/status/1430994930831400968

I've counted at least a dozen Williamson County sheriff's deputies at tonight's meeting, but we've been told there are more.

Several folks were also scanning folks with a metal detector before they let them into the meeting.

Okay, @MetroSchools official, regularly scheduled board meeting is underway.

Note: There is no public comment tonight so we likely won't be talking about masks, critical race theory or seahorses (at least not as much as at the last meeting).

https://twitter.com/memangrum/status/1430262076027686928

.@MetroSchools board member Emily Masters is currently sharing a resolution "regarding multicultural education" that is up for board approval tonight.

Check out the resolution below ⬇️

I’m here at the Metro Nashville Board of Education’s Teaching and Learning Committee meeting this afternoon.

The meeting started at 3pm and is the first of several this evening. Currently, board members are getting a presentation on 'advanced academies' opportunities in the district — and the disparities within those opportunities.

The Metro Nashville Board of Education is meeting this afternoon, starting with a Budget Committee meeting that is underway now.

Follow The @Tennessean and myself for updates! This afternoon's slate of meetings includes this budget meeting, a governance committee meeting at 4 p.m. and the regularly scheduled board meeting at 5 p.m.

You can watch the meetings live here ➡️ bit.ly/3rdV0Zd

I'm already nestled in the Hamilton County Commission chambers for today's meeting. Commissioners are expected to to vote on the FY 2020 county budget today - or an alternative.

@_SarahGTaylor and I will be reporting live from today's meeting.

timesfreepress.com/news/local/sto… The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. but chambers already had about two dozen folks in here when I arrived about 15 minutes ago. I've seen several educators mixed in the crowd including some of @hamcoschools chief officers and principals.

I'm here for the @hamcoschools School Board's policy committee meeting this afternoon. Follow along with me. Note: I am also digesting @TNedu's data dump of the 2017 and 2018 TNReady scores, so I'll do my best to live tweet at my normal standard.

I'm at Lookout Valley Middle/High School for tonight's District 6 School Board debate hosted by @UnifiEdHC and @chattanooga2pt0. Here's a recap of last night's debate via the @TimesFreePress.

timesfreepress.com/news/local/sto…