Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Achievement School District

Achievement School District

Tennessee
December 5, 2018

McQueen: More school takeovers ‘most likely’ coming to Memphis and Nashville

Tennessee's outgoing education chief says she'll recommend more takeovers to the next governor, unless there's significant improvement.

shift

Tennessee
December 4, 2018

With new school turnaround model, Tennessee takes lessons learned in Memphis to Chattanooga

Guiding principles have emerged from almost a decade of state turnaround work.

back in action

Tennessee
December 3, 2018

It’s a ‘breath of fresh air’ to be back in school, Georgian Hills educators say after three weeks off following heating issues

On Monday morning, the elementary school in Frayser held classes for the first time since Nov. 13, when cold temperatures put the building’s boiler out of commission.

major grants

Tennessee
December 3, 2018

Tennessee’s turnaround district wins big chunk of $8.25 million grant for school improvement

Ten Tennessee schools will each receive $275,000 per year over three years.

By the numbers

Tennessee
November 14, 2018

Enrollment is up in Tennessee’s largest school district for second straight year

About 111,600 students are enrolled in Shelby County Schools, up about 2 percent from last year and higher than projected enrollment, according to district numbers.

school facilities

Tennessee
November 13, 2018

Cold temps close Memphis state-run schools, highlighting bigger issue of repairing costly, aging buildings

Temperatures dipped below 35 degrees, and four schools in the Achievement School District opted to cancel classes because of boiler issues.

checking in

Tennessee
November 9, 2018

How do you turn around a district? Six months into her tenure, Sharon Griffin works to line up the basics.

Sharon Griffin said she’s been doubling down on improving the way the district functions – such as making sure the district is in compliance with federal and state grants, and that teachers have the certifications they need to teach certain courses. And that’s taken more time than expected.

unified enrollment

Tennessee
October 26, 2018

As Memphis parents struggle to find information about schools, one parent group is calling for a simpler enrollment system

In unified enrollment, each family across the city would fill out a common application listing their top choices and submit them electronically by the same deadline.

BUILDING COSTS

Tennessee
October 25, 2018

Griffin: ‘Students who live in poverty should learn in luxury,’ but state-run schools are far from luxurious

Many Memphis schools are in need of better environments, but schools in Tennessee's lowest performing district are too low in priority for building repairs, said Sharon Griffin.

what's next?

Tennessee
September 26, 2018

These Memphis schools now risk a state takeover

A look at the state’s new criteria for when to step in to improve schools provides some clues about which ones are under consideration.

turnaround challenge

Tennessee
September 26, 2018

17 schools in Tennessee’s turnaround district remain priority schools 6 years after first takeovers

Four of the six original Memphis schools that were taken over by the state in 2012 are on the newest priority list released last week. And dozens of schools that were added to the district later also remain on the list.

Momentum

Tennessee
September 21, 2018

Memphis moves from problem child to poster child on Tennessee’s new school improvement list

The city got encouraging news on Friday as fewer of its schools landed on Tennessee's newest list of troubled "priority schools."

Priority schools

Tennessee
September 19, 2018

Struggling Tennessee schools find out Friday if they could face state intervention

The "priority school" list will be the first since 2014 and will chart state improvement strategies, investments, and interventions.

Rats!

Tennessee
September 10, 2018

Rat invasion sends 800 Memphis students to three nearby schools

Ninth and 10th grade students will be split from juniors and seniors. Some special education students will go to another high school.

counting students

Tennessee
September 7, 2018

As Griffin battles low enrollment in Tennessee’s state district, she looks to a school with a waitlist

The Achievement School District is looking to Westwood Elementary to help her find answers to one of the state district’s longtime issues: lack of students.
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