Please Re-Elect Rep. Susan Lynn

Dear Friends,

Early voting begins today.  I ask for the honor of your vote; that you to would allow me to serve you again for the next two years.

I sent out a robo-call last night to let you know about a convenient, new early voting location located at Lighthouse Church on Saundersville Rd. at Saundersville Ferry Rd.  Voting is from 8 am – 6 pm, M-F and from 8 am – 1 pm on Saturdays.

While Washington DC has broken down, I hope you see a difference in our state government. Even compare us to any other state – our GDP growth is 6.4% - nationally it is 1%.  We are lean, we do not deficit spend, we balance our budget, we have cut your taxes and banned an income tax. I know that it is our Tennessee values that makes us different.

We want you and your family to feel pride in your work and schools.  Major employers are moving here - which in turn helps small businesses, unemployment is low, personal income is rising.
Our schools are the fastest improving in the nation, we have directed more money towards education than any other General Assembly ($1 billion) without raising your taxes.  Every graduating student can attend two years of community college or tech school for free by using lottery dollars.

Our infrastructure challenges are due to our tremendous growth but our roads are still rated the 3^rd best in the nation and we are taxed the third least per mile driven.  We have a plan to meet those challenges by taking advantage of the massive budget surpluses generated by our economic expansion – last year we paid off half of a massive debt and directed that money to TDOT.  This year we will pay off the remainder, and direct that money plus budget surplus money towards transportation creating a new dedicated funding stream. Electric and hydrogen vehicles do not contribute to the road fund – we will agree on a plan this year so that they contribute too.  In the 2016 – 2017 budget that we just passed – the construction of Hwy 109 is funded and will start soon – in fact, TDOT projects are occurring on every state road in Wilson County.

I have passed many bills that I write to you about in my newsletter but as far as the big picture is concerned such as I mentioned above, it really has been a Republican lead team that has accomplished these good things through our Tennessee values.  I am honored to be a part of making Tennessee strong.  I ask you for your vote.

Thank you – Susan Lynn

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ENDORSEMENTS
National Rifle Association
Tennessee Right to Life
National Federation of Independent Business
Tennessee Realtors Association
Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters
Tennessee Voters for Animal Protection
100% American Conservative Union
Americans for Prosperity – Taxpayer Hero

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EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS
Lighthouse Church – Saundersville Rd.
Charlie Daniels Park – Mt. Juliet
Gladeville Community Center – Gladeville
County Election Commission – Main St., Lebanon
Watertown Community Center – Watertown
Hours – 8 am – 6 pm, M-F. Saturday, 8 am – 1 pm.

Tennessee Department of Education Shares Key Takeaways from First Round of ESSA Feedback

More than 2,000 Tennesseans weigh in on how to implement new federal law

NASHVILLE—Department of Education Commissioner Candice McQueen released a new report today highlighting the feedback gathered from educators, advocates, parents, students, and the public to determine how to implement specific components of the nation’s new education law: the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The department is using the input to draft Tennessee’s plan to transition to ESSA, which was co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and replaces No Child Left Behind.

Over the past six months, Commissioner McQueen and department leaders have hosted dozens of in-person and virtual feedback sessions across the state to gather input on how to craft a Tennessee-specific ESSA plan. More than 2,000 Tennesseans, representing 83 counties and 132 school districts, have participated in the discussion so far, with more opportunities in the future. Outreach efforts included inviting all of Tennessee’s 146 school district leaders to join regional meetings over the summer, participating in more than a dozen regional sessions hosted by the Tennessee School Boards Association to speak with school board members, and leading dozens of in-person and virtual sessions with classroom teachers and educators who serve in a variety of roles. 

Additionally, the department hosted a public feedback opportunity through an online form with supplemental questions for parents and students, which were translated into Spanish to further extend outreach to families. Further feedback methods were used to gather input from a variety of groups, including business leaders, school choice organizations, community groups, civil rights organizations, and other education advocates. Six working groups, comprised of about a dozen members each, are using the feedback as they work through specific policies.

“ESSA has given us an opportunity to build on what is working in Tennessee. We are the fastest improving state in the nation because of the groundwork our educators, families, and students have laid over the past few years, and we want to keep moving on that path. But we know we have room to continue to grow, and ESSA empowers us to make decisions that make the most sense for Tennessee’s children so we can do just that,” McQueen said. “Public feedback and support has been critical in Tennessee’s success, and as the state has drafted its transition plan to the new law, building on existing relationships and developing new connections has been a focal point.” 

Through the various avenues of feedback, some areas of consensus appeared, such as that the Tennessee ESSA plan should align to the state’s strategic plan, Tennessee Succeeds, and start with our current accountability framework. The most complex issues discussed by working groups and stakeholders tended to fall into three areas: accountability, assessment, and preparing students for postsecondary. The department will continue to engage with stakeholders during the next five months in preparation for submission of the Tennessee state plan to the U.S. Department of Education.

The department and working groups are still in the early stages of drafting the state plan, which will be available for public comment by the end of the calendar year. In early spring 2017, the department will work with stakeholder groups, the State Board of Education, and the Tennessee General Assembly as needed to recommend changes to state law and policy, as well as develop further guidance for school districts.

To view the report and to find more information, including a complete timeline and an outline of the current education laws and policies in Tennessee, visit the department’s ESSA webpage. For media inquiries, contact Sara Gast at (615) 532-6260 or Sara.Gast@tn.gov.

High School Graduation Rate Hits New High

Tennessee High School Graduation Rate Hits New High Under More Rigorous Criteria

NASHVILLE—Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced today that the 2015-16 graduation rate of 88.5 percent is the highest on record since the state changed to a more rigorous calculation of graduation rates in 2011.

The latest statewide graduation rate was up nearly a full percentage point since last year and overall has increased three percentage points since the state implemented the more rigorous calculations.

This year, nearly 60 percent of districts saw their graduation rates increase or stay the same when compared to last year’s rates.

“Our schools and districts should be proud of the work they have done to support students on their journeys to and beyond high school graduation,” McQueen said. “High school graduation is a critical step in allowing students to embark on their chosen paths in life. However, as more Tennessee students are earning their diplomas, we must ensure that they are all leaving with the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and the workforce.”

Over the past few years, Tennessee has been raising expectations for both students and educators, and the state has seen significant gains as a result. These outcomes, including increases in graduation rates, are a testament to the work being done in schools across the state. The most notable gains and overall achievements are:

12 districts improved their graduation rates by five percentage points or more. The districts with the most significant gains were Alvin C. York (18.1 percent), Tullahoma City (11.6 percent), Trenton Special School District (11.1 percent), and Grundy County (10 percent).

95 districts—over 70 percent of the districts in the state—have graduation rates at or above 90 percent, up from 81 districts last year. Fentress County, Alcoa City, South Carroll Special School District, Milan Special School District, Meigs County, and Crockett County all had graduation rates at or above 99 percent.

76 districts—roughly 60 percent of districts in the state—had graduation rates at or above 90 percent for both 2014-15 and 2015-16.

More information, such as graduation rates for individual subgroups, will be available on the State Report Card, which will be released later this fall.

For individual district data, please reach out to your local school district or call Rep. Susan Lynn at 615-741-7462. Under More Rigorous Criteria

NASHVILLE—Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced today that the 2015-16 graduation rate of 88.5 percent is the highest on record since the state changed to a more rigorous calculation of graduation rates in 2011.

The latest statewide graduation rate was up nearly a full percentage point since last year and overall has increased three percentage points since the state implemented the more rigorous calculations.

This year, nearly 60 percent of districts saw their graduation rates increase or stay the same when compared to last year’s rates.

“Our schools and districts should be proud of the work they have done to support students on their journeys to and beyond high school graduation,” McQueen said. “High school graduation is a critical step in allowing students to embark on their chosen paths in life. However, as more Tennessee students are earning their diplomas, we must ensure that they are all leaving with the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and the workforce.”

Over the past few years, Tennessee has been raising expectations for both students and educators, and the state has seen significant gains as a result. These outcomes, including increases in graduation rates, are a testament to the work being done in schools across the state. The most notable gains and overall achievements are:

12 districts improved their graduation rates by five percentage points or more. The districts with the most significant gains were Alvin C. York (18.1 percent), Tullahoma City (11.6 percent), Trenton Special School District (11.1 percent), and Grundy County (10 percent).

95 districts—over 70 percent of the districts in the state—have graduation rates at or above 90 percent, up from 81 districts last year. Fentress County, Alcoa City, South Carroll Special School District, Milan Special School District, Meigs County, and Crockett County all had graduation rates at or above 99 percent.

76 districts—roughly 60 percent of districts in the state—had graduation rates at or above 90 percent for both 2014-15 and 2015-16.

More information, such as graduation rates for individual subgroups, will be available on the State Report Card, which will be released later this fall.

For individual district data, please reach out to your local school district or call Rep. Susan Lynn at 615-741-7462.