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With a state takeover looming, Memphis-Shelby County Schools is facing increased pressure to boost student outcomes.
Tennessee Republicans say establishing a nine-member oversight board to seize control of key district decisions will solve years of academic underperformance and district management issues. A federal judge temporarily blocked that takeover in June, with a final court decision still pending.
Regardless of that legal outcome, most Memphians agree that something needs to change in a district where over two-thirds of students don’t pass state reading tests, and only 15% pass in math. Agreeing on the district’s most pressing issues and how to address them is more difficult.
RSVP to join our live virtual event on Aug. 31, where I’ll talk with local education experts about what Memphis schools need to succeed.
This year, MSCS leaders say they’re focused on improving math scores by creating a standardized curriculum and increasing teacher training. They’re also working to reduce chronic absenteeism, another metric that triggered the pending state takeover, by assigning dedicated staff to struggling schools.
The state-appointed oversight board could overhaul the structure of day-to-day learning and teaching in Memphis classrooms. But it’s unclear which approaches the board would take to reform the local school system.
Join Chalkbeat for a robust conversation Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. CT featuring four local education experts and MSCS representatives. We’ll discuss resources the district needs and policies that could improve student outcomes.
How can the new state board help Memphis schools succeed? How can local leaders step up to the plate? Find out at our virtual event.
Sign up here to join the conversation and submit your questions for our panelists.
Bri Hatch covers Memphis-Shelby County Schools for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Reach Bri at bhatch@chalkbeat.org.
