NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has directed state lawmakers to quickly pass measures in response to educational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He called Tuesday on lawmakers to grant pay raises to teachers and install a new reading benchmark for students to pass the third grade.
Meanwhile, the Republican governor had harsh remarks for schools that had rebuffed his push for in-person learning. The criticism has sparked objections from Democratic lawmakers and education advocates.
Lee’s remarks to the Republican supermajority Legislature on Tuesday kicked off a special session to grapple with the educational issues triggered by the virus outbreak.
