By AP
Nashville, TN – Governor Phil Bredesen is calling Tennessee lawmakers into a special session next month to take up education changes he says are needed for the state to qualify for a share of federal "Race to the Top" money. Bredesen announced Tuesday the special session will begin January 12th. The proposed changes include requiring teacher and principal performance evaluations to be based on data, to require tenure decisions to be based on those evaluations and to mandate annual teacher assessments. Tennessee would also create a statewide recovery district for failing schools. Bredesen says lawmakers will have to approve those changes by the January 19th deadline to apply for a share of the $4 billion in federal money.