Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Tennessee

Achievement School District

scores out

Tennessee
August 15, 2019

As Tennessee’s turnaround district enters its eighth school year, scores remain stubbornly low

Only 3.4% of high schoolers in the Achievement School District met the state’s proficiency standards on this year’s math and English exams.

turn around

Tennessee
July 29, 2019

In a reversal, Memphis charter network to stay with Tennessee’s state district (for now)

Three weeks after a Memphis charter announced it would pull its school from the state-run Achievement District, officials say they've reached a temporary agreement.

in the room

Tennessee
July 25, 2019

Tennessee asked national education leaders how the state should fix its turnaround district. Here’s what they said.

Education leaders from across the country – whose work is driven by the belief that low-performing schools can be turned around – had some advice for Tennessee.

new year

Tennessee
July 24, 2019

Ten new schools will open in Memphis this academic year, five have closed

This is the second consecutive year in which more charter schools than traditional district schools have shuttered.

Evolution of the ASD

Tennessee
July 23, 2019

Schwinn: No new schools will enter Tennessee’s turnaround district this year, but some may leave

Big changes will be coming to Tennessee’s Achievement School District within the next few months, the state’s education chief Penny Schwinn told Chalkbeat.

six years

Tennessee
July 16, 2019

Tennessee school turnaround models either haven’t worked or are stalling out, new research finds

“We feel confident at this point saying that the strategy followed for the ASD hasn’t produced positive results for students we’d hoped to see,” said one researcher.

Charter schools

Tennessee
July 12, 2019

As Tennessee gives its turnaround district a hard look, fates of other takeover districts show struggles aren’t unique

Seven years later, Tennessee’s achievement district has not seen large gains. Nevada closed its turnaround district, and the other two states are struggling to launch.

backing out

Tennessee
July 3, 2019

For the first time, a Memphis charter network leaves state district for local oversight

The move by Freedom Preparatory Academy rolls back the 2014 state takeover of the Westwood school.

Early literacy

Tennessee
July 2, 2019

Tennessee’s summer reading camps are popular, getting results — and in peril

Federal funding has dried up for the popular program now serving 9,000 students in two-thirds of the state's school districts.

Denied

Tennessee
June 27, 2019

As state Supreme Court declines to hear case, Memphis shares student contact information with charter schools while Nashville seeks options

The decision affects Memphis, where school leaders also defied the state's order to hand over student data.

Unconventional learning

Tennessee
June 21, 2019

Hands-on learning drives teachers and students at the only Montessori school in Tennessee’s turnaround district

At a time when many educators are focused on facts, metrics and standards, Montessori schools are focused on hands-on practice.

District management

Tennessee
June 18, 2019

‘We have to get this right’: With Sharon Griffin out, achievement district seeks consistency, communication

Sharon Griffin will be replaced on an interim basis by two current Achievement School DIstrict leaders.

quick tenure

Tennessee
June 17, 2019

Under growing tension, heralded turnaround leader Sharon Griffin resigns as head of achievement district

A year after Sharon Griffin’s ascension into leadership of Tennessee’s embattled turnaround district drew widespread praise – and after months of tension.

whole child

Tennessee
June 7, 2019

Here’s the No. 1 concern that Tennessee’s new education chief heard during her statewide listening tour

Four months into her job, Penny Schwinn says one theme keeps emerging in her visits to classrooms and discussions with educators and stakeholders.

turnover

Tennessee
June 5, 2019

High-profile principal is among reshuffling at the Achievement School District

The leader of Tennessee’s turnaround district’s highest-performing school is heading to a new position this summer, a year after the fourth superintendent change.
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