New tool helps lawmakers with education decisions

JACKSON, Tenn. — If you’re curious about where your school stands in Tennessee, you can now see it for yourself.

“We started poking around at the data sets that were publicly available and realized there’s not a comprehensive set that is laid over with senate or house legislative districts,” Tara Bergfeld, a legislative research analyst with the Office of Research and Education Accountability.

It’s a state project which gives senators and representatives a better idea of their school systems.

“These maps are really a great way for the legislature to learn more about education in their districts, to see achievement at the school level as well as the district-wide level,” John Dunn with the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office of the Treasury said.

With dozens of education-related bills already filed for this session, lawmakers said it will help them make more effective and accurate decisions when they have to vote.

“I think it’s going to be extremely helpful. It’s going to help our committee, our leaders and our legislators to look at schools in each of those areas and know the demographic makeup of the students,” Rep. Jimmy Eldridge, R-Madison County, said.

The information will be updated each year.

To check out your school district, click here.