Gov.-elect Bill Lee has appointed "reform advocate" Penny Schwinn as Commissioner of Education. Schwinn studied at the Broad Academy and is a Teach for America veteran. She also founded a charter school. Schwinn has described herself as "an advocate for public schools and school choice" according to the article.

One of Schwinn's first tasks will be awarding new contracts for TNReady testing services. She was involved in a Texas controversy regarding contract awards.

Schwinn was recently passed over for the same job in Massachusetts, where critics characterized her as a "determined, divisive reformer."

SEE ALSO:

Chalkbeat

Average Guy's picture

She had me at "Broad"

"an advocate for public schools and school choice"

No Penny, you're not and you know it.

She knows better, but it's those type statements that fool most everyone else.

Mike Daugherty's picture

It is a shame Democrats

It is a shame Democrats cannot win a statewide election. Dean would be so much better for public education. I thought Lee was the lesser of the Republican evils and I did agree with his statements about more need for vocational training in public schools. However, his ideas about vouchers, charter schools, and school choice are just code words for destroying public education and allowing corporations to make a fortune on the hundreds of billions of dollars in the U.S. that go to public schools. Penny is a nightmare come true. Lee is a disappointment and I hate to think of the decisions he will make after this stupid appointment. It is hard enough for sensible people to deal with an immoral and evil President. Now, again, we have to survive a governor that is terribly misguided and against the interests of our children and favors the interests of the elite.

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

TN Progressive

TN Politics

Knox TN Today

Local TV News

News Sentinel

    State News

    Wire Reports

    Lost Medicaid Funding

    To date, the failure to expand Medicaid/TennCare has cost the State of Tennessee ? in lost federal funding. (Source)

    Search and Archives