Tennessee
Report: Some Tennessee students with disabilities face unlawful removals from schools
Linda McMahon confirmed by Senate for Education secretary
The Senate confirmed GOP donor and former wrestling executive Linda McMahon to head the Department of Education with a 51-45 vote.
Students with disabilities are facing unlawful removals from classrooms in Tennessee — and it’s going largely undocumented, according to a new study.
The study, released Wednesday by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability, examines what it calls “informal removals” of students with disabilities. As an example, an informal removal can happen when a school asks a parent to pick up a child early due to disruptive behavior. But those removals may run afoul of state and federal regulations for students with disabilities that enshrine their right to a free and appropriate education and protect them from discriminatory disciplinary actions.
“A pattern of informal removals can result in a significant loss of instructional time for students with disabilities and, for those assigned to inclusive general education classes, reduce the time spent being educated alongside their general education peers,” the study stated.
Here’s what else to know about the study, which stems from a legislative request made to the Comptroller’s office in 2024.
A push to track informal removals, improve support
Since informal removals are not documented or tracked by state or district officials, it’s unclear how often they occur in Tennessee, the study stated. It recommended that district and school leaders examine their practices, create or update policies and properly document removals and disciplinary actions against students with disabilities.
It also recommended that schools examine the following:
- Training for general education teachers on how to teach and discipline students with disabilities.
- Space and staffing needs to support students with disabilities.
- The appropriateness of classroom placements of students with individualized education plans.
- De-escalation and behavioral intervention techniques for students with disabilities.
Survey: Staff shortages, lack of space and training drive informal removals
Generally speaking, hundreds of school principals surveyed for the study said they believe informal removals happen in Tennessee but could not provide precise numbers on them. The principals also largely agreed that a small subset of students with severe behavioral issues are more likely to be removed than other students with disabilities. Respondents said those issues include violent, destructive or insubordinate behavior by the students.
A shortage of special education staff was the biggest contributing factor to informal removals, according to the survey. Respondents also frequently cited a lack of facilities and space for students with disabilities and a lack of training for general education teachers on how to handle students with disabilities in their classes.
Insights into informal removals are limited
While the study included the survey and a wide variety of interviews with state and district officials, advocates and others, it noted that its insights are limited. That’s due in part to a lack of documentation of informal removals. A relatively low survey response rate and possible reluctance by school leaders to speak candidly about informal removals are also a factor.
Learn more
Read the full study and find more resources on informal removals and the rights of students with disabilities at TNcot.cc/orea.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A bill moving through the Tennessee Legislature could reshape how pharmacies do business in the state, with CVS warning it could lead to widespread store closures.
The Tennessee Senate has passed legislation that would change the way pharmacies can operate. The proposal has been dubbed “the CVS bill” because it directly impacts the drugstore chain.
Under the bill, drugstores would no longer be allowed to negotiate prices directly with insurance providers or government programs. Instead, a third party would be required to step in.
The bill is now under debate in the House. CVS says the change would force more than 100 of its pharmacies to close across Tennessee, but lawmakers disagree.
Tennessee football star Jermod McCoy is the player who will likely hear his name called first from the Tennessee program in the upcoming NFL Draft. There are many teams he would fit well, but these three teams are the teams I believe he is the best fit with at this moment.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a cornerback in the draft class, and they are likely to spend one of their first two picks on one. They are selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft as of now, and McCoy could hear his name called. He would be joining a decent group of cornerbacks, but he would be an immediate starter, likely alongside a later selection that they make with a cornerback.
It would be shocking if the Cowboys pass on him if they select at 12 and he is still on the board. McCoy would be an immediate starter and would be someone who could shut down a whole side of the field for the Cowboys early in his career.
2. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins is one of the better fits for Jermod McCoy, and it would make the most sense, as the Dolphins could use almost every position after a major haul of their players. They are in a major rebuilding phase and drafting at No. 11 leaves many to believe that McCoy could be in play.
McCoy would likely be their No. 1 cornerbakc the day he got to the franchise, and would have the chance to dominate the way he did in his one season on the field with the Vols. This selection would depend on who drops out of the first ten selections. If he is one of the better players remaining (highly likely) he very well could hear his name called at pick 11.
3. New York Jets
The New York Jets have the chance to be very good when it comes to the draft, as they are drafting at both No. 2 and No. 16. I believe they will be looking to get a cornerback with their No. 16 pick, which would make a lot of sense considering they had to get rid of Sauce Gardner.
McCoy would be the perfect replacement, as they could find themselves in one of the better situations on the defensive side of the football. He can shutdown a side of the field, and I would bet that he would be a great fit with the Jets because of that exactly.
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Tennessee
Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.
During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.
From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.
Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.
“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.
The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.
“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.
For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.
“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.
What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.
In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.
Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil
Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.
– Carrie Sharp
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