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November 4 New Memphis Teachers’ LoungeNovember 18 Chattanooga Regional RoundtableNovember 18 Chattanooga Regional RoundtableNovember 20 Nashville Regional Roundtable
MSCS educators say fewer students are showing up to class due to fear of encountering ICE agents while traveling to and from buildings.
MSCS educators say fewer students are showing up to class due to fear of encountering ICE agents while traveling to and from buildings.
Local educators say Hispanic students and parents are afraid to leave their homes and risk detainment. Some want the district to offer more support.
After a COVID-era slump, Tennessee’s graduation rate has improved for a third consecutive year. In total, 69 districts in the state had graduation rate increases this year.
The commission secured just enough votes Monday to overturn the mayor’s decision. That means five school board members will serve only half of their allotted terms.
A Memphis lawmaker wants Tennessee voters to be able to recall local elected officials, including school boards, as an “accountability” measure.
Donna Goings, MSCS’ mental health director, says attendance at suicide and bullying prevention trainings dropped by two-thirds last year. That’s because most students don’t return now-required permission slips.
Superintendent Roderick Richmond is proposing sending displaced students into nearby schools to fill open seats.
The Tennessee Charter Commission decision means Kirby Middle School and Hillcrest High School will return to local control under the Memphis-Shelby County school system. What will happen to the schools and hundreds of students isn’t clear.
Youth Connect serves a much smaller number of students than in-house MSCS providers. But it gives students a choice of therapists and flexible scheduling.
Two of the four schools slated for closure this year are located in Frayser. MSCS leaders say next Wednesday’s meeting will give families important information about suggested shutdowns and other topics.
Megan Clegg developed an entire school farm at Northwest High School in Clarksville, connecting students to sustainability and agriculture lessons through animal husbandry and land management.
Public schools are required by federal law to provide special education pre-K services, but they receive minimal federal and state funding to do so.
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton wants to add 20,000 seats to new private school voucher program
Mayor Lee Harris rejected the proposal to avoid cutting short five current board members’ terms. The county commission can override the veto within 30 days.
Some incumbent MSCS board members say they won’t align with a party. But that could put them at a disadvantage in a Democratic stronghold like Shelby County.
One education advocate says more data is needed to ensure the program is benefiting Tennessee children equally.
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The National Assessment Governing Board, which controls NAEP testing, tapped Mark White as its new leader. He is at the center of some of Tennessee’s most heated education debates.
Memphis school board taps new chair as it faces ongoing political pressure from local, state leaders
The MSCS board elected Natalie McKinney as its leader Tuesday with six votes.
Some Tennessee state testing requirements are overly burdensome or duplicative, teachers told state lawmakers considering education policy changes.
Recommendation to shutter four MSCS schools leaves many details up in the air. Here are the key questions we’re following.
MSCS leaders say the affected schools have costly maintenance needs and low utilization. A fifth school is slated to be transferred to a neighboring suburban district.
Five school board members will now only serve half their terms, which opponents say is unconstitutional.
After weeks of declining to answer basic questions about the state’s new voucher program, Tennessee education officials released data on enrollment locations this week.
Memphis gym and health teachers will instruct students on gun safety curriculum this fall. Though some parents at a town hall this week asked to remove their kids from the training, a district official said that is not an option.
It’s unclear which schools will be included in the plan that could come as early as Tuesday. There are several MSCS buildings quickly approaching the end of their useful life.
How many students are enrolled in Tennessee’s new voucher program? The state won’t say.
Experts point to factors like surges in private and homeschool options and general population decreases. The losses come with big implications for Memphis-Shelby County Schools’ budget and impending school closures.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools cut teacher vacancies by hundreds compared with this time last year, thanks to a bolstered HR team, an official said. Over 200 new hires hold conditional licenses, which expire in 3 years.
A new Tennessee law required all school districts to develop and implement bans beginning this school year. Chalkbeat Tennessee wants to learn more about how it is playing out inside classrooms.
The county commission remains divided on whether to put Memphis school board seats on the ballot in 2026 or 2030, with some worried about legality issues. A small group of critical parents is pushing for immediate action.
MSCS leaders will pay outside company Reading Horizons over $540,000 for its dyslexia-specific tutoring curriculum. But one local literacy expert worries it won’t be enough to boost proficiency.
MSCS earned the highest score in the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System for the fourth year in a row. But younger students lost progress in social studies, falling behind expected growth.
MSCS is in no position to turn down money that could ease growing maintenance issues. But a small group of students is protesting xAI’s investment over environmental concerns.
Tennessee will spend an average of $7,023 per public school student, nearly $300 less than a new private school voucher. Though public school students will receive more public funds overall given a local government contribution, Democrats and education advocates are criticizing the disparity.
If a student poses an immediate danger or is exhibiting disruptive behavior, schools can remove them before starting or completing a behavioral assessment.
The Tennessee Department of Education has released school-level results for its state test and end-of-course exams students completed last spring. Look up your school’s results on Chalkbeat Tennessee’s interactive tool.