Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Who Is In Charge

Tracking the local, state, and national developments in policy and legislation that will matter to teachers and students.

election season

Tennessee
June 25, 2018

Aspiring county leaders in charge of money for Memphis schools share their views

Find out what Shelby County commissioner and mayor candidates think about education in the Memphis area.
Chicago
June 22, 2018

Local School Councils are a big deal. But getting new members trained is proving difficult.

In a classroom at Bogan High School Tuesday, trainer Jose Ortiz quizzed four Local School Council members on why they have to hold…

performance based

Colorado
June 20, 2018

Aurora superintendent is getting a bonus following the district’s improved state ratings

Superintendent Rico Munn said Wednesday he is donating the bonus.

Movers & shakers

Tennessee
June 20, 2018

Memphis native named superintendent of Aspire network’s local schools

Nickalous Manning, who holds a doctorate in education, is a graduate of Memphis’ Melrose High School, which sits less than two miles from two of Aspire’s schools. Before

turnover

Colorado
June 19, 2018

The principal of Denver’s South High School is leaving due to health concerns

Bobby Thomas, formerly principal of Summit Academy, will be the interim principal for the 2018-19 school year.

student activism

Chicago
Updated September 11, 2018

Five Chicago student activists on why they will be in your face this summer

Trevon Bosley’s brother was murdered while attending band rehearsal at church. Shot from the street while helping a friend with drums in 2006,…

Colorado Votes 2018

Colorado
June 14, 2018

Where candidates in the Colorado Democratic primary stand on education issues

Chalkbeat Colorado asked the Democratic candidates for governor about their own educational experiences, school funding, achievement gaps, and more.

Colorado Votes 2018

Colorado
June 14, 2018

Colorado’s Republican candidates for governor lay out their education plans

Chalkbeat Colorado asked the Republican candidates for governor about their own educational experiences, school choice, achievement gaps, school funding, and more.

top down

Colorado
June 13, 2018

Board president of troubled Adams 14 school district abruptly resigns

Timio Archuleta was part of a majority on the five-member board that has supported Superintendent Javier Abrego.

election season

Tennessee
June 13, 2018

Memphis school board candidates speak out on what they want to change

Sort through each school board district race and see candidates’ answers to a survey Chalkbeat sent out last month.

Investigations

Chicago
June 12, 2018

10 questions for the CPS Inspector General as he wades into the student sex abuse scandal

In the past year, Chicago Board of Education Inspector General Nicholas Schuler has led investigations into improper admissions at selective enrollment programs…

hostile takeover

National
June 12, 2018

When states take over school districts, they say it’s about academics. This political scientist says it’s about race and power.

In a new book, “Takeover,” Rutgers political scientist Domingo Morel concludes that the prevailing logic for state takeovers is indeed tainted with racism.

out of sight

Colorado
June 11, 2018

Out of town, on a Sunday morning, Sheridan’s school board approved a new superintendent contract

The Sheridan school board had voted 3 to 2 on the superintendent choice after an embattled process.

Movers & shakers

Tennessee
June 4, 2018

Meet the new leader of Memphis’ emerging pre-K training program

A Porter-Leath program that trained 500 prekindergarten teachers this year has a new leader.

New direction

Tennessee
June 1, 2018

Here’s what Sharon Griffin wants to do in her first month as Tennessee’s new turnaround leader

Sharon Griffin, a longtime Memphian, said she wants to quickly launch an advisory team of local parents, students, and faith leaders for the Achievement School District.

How I Lead

Tennessee
May 18, 2018

This Memphis principal says supporting teachers and parents helped pull her school out of the bottom 10 percent

This year, Georgian Hills Achievement Elementary left not only left the bottom 5 percent of Tennessee schools but moved out of the bottom 10 percent

oversight

Colorado
May 14, 2018

Aurora school board to consider one-year charter contract for school with conflict of interest

The Vanguard Classical School is well-performing, but a new district review process has flagged conflicts of interest.

still searching

Colorado
Updated May 22, 2018

Three candidates, no new leader: Principal search at Denver’s Manual High to continue

The search committee is recommending the district name an interim principal for the rest of 2018.

Transition Planner

Newark
May 10, 2018

‘It is so much work.’ Meet the state monitor trying to help Newark keep control of its schools

Anzella King Nelms used to be a Newark school official. Now she's the state-appointed overseer trying to help Newark return to full local control.

Superintendent search

Newark
May 2, 2018

For the first time in a generation, Newark will pick its own schools chief. Meet the interim leader hoping to get the job.

After working in Newark schools for two decades, Robert Gregory thinks he's ready to lead the district. But he's not the only one vying for the top job.

Momentum

Colorado
May 2, 2018

Sheridan school district picks new leader in split decision

The board will vote on a proposed contract at a later date.

Leader search

Colorado
April 30, 2018

Three candidates are vying to become principal of Denver’s Manual High School

The three candidates include two who currently work for Denver Public Schools.

Follow Up

Colorado
April 27, 2018

Investigation finds former Manual High principal Nick Dawkins violated district harassment policy, document shows

District policy defines harassment as “unwelcome, hostile, and offensive verbal, written, or physical conduct."

Contract over

Colorado
Updated April 27, 2018

Antwan Wilson no longer working as a consultant for Denver Public Schools

"He has informed us that he has other contracts that require his full attention.”

In with the new

Newark
April 25, 2018

Newark school board selects new leaders after raucous vote

Josephine Garcia was chosen as the board's new chairwoman, and Dawn Haynes as the vice chairwoman.

NEW MOMENT

Tennessee
April 25, 2018

Tennessee’s struggling state-run district just hired the ‘LeBron James’ of school turnaround work

Sharon Griffin’s new job is to better the state’s Achievement School District and use her experience to strengthen the relationships with local districts across the state.

tie breaker

Colorado
April 24, 2018

Sheridan school board discussion heats up as date is set for final vote on new superintendent

The board will vote for a superintendent on May 1.

MERGE AHEAD

New York
April 23, 2018

Wadleigh middle school is safe — for now — after Harlem community rallied to stop its closure

The education department pulled its proposal to cut Wadleigh’s middle school grades, but will begin laying the groundwork to combine middle schools in the building.

shot callers

Colorado
April 13, 2018

Rico Munn’s inner circle: Meet the team leading Aurora’s district improvements

A final vote on Aurora Superintendent Rico Munn's contract extension is expected Tuesday.

New Leadership

Tennessee
April 12, 2018

New leader at Memphis state-run school ‘best candidate’ despite domestic assault conviction

A panel of eight community members selected Rodney Peterson as the new principal of Westside Achievement Middle School. He served a year probation for assaulting his former wife in Boston in 2011.

On the Agenda

Colorado
April 12, 2018

Adams 14 school board votes to give superintendent a raise with no prior notice

The board president cited a raise given to administrative staff in describing the raise for the superintendent.

Decision time

Colorado
April 9, 2018

Community angst growing as decision on new Sheridan superintendent nears

The Sheridan school board will continue deliberations in executive session on Tuesday.
Newark
April 5, 2018

13 candidates are competing in a historic Newark school board race. Here’s what happened when they met this week.

Highlights from a forum Tuesday that brought together the 13 candidates vying for three open seats on the board.

charter expansion

Tennessee
April 4, 2018

See who wants to open a charter school in Memphis in 2019

Ten charter organizations applied to Shelby County Schools ahead of the April 2 deadline to open 18 schools in 2019.

Leadership

Colorado
April 4, 2018

Aurora school board moves forward with two year extension for superintendent’s contract

The Aurora school board did not discuss the contract extension Tuesday but will vote at the next meeting.

Q & A

Colorado
March 30, 2018

Meet Aurora’s new chief academic officer, whose plans include more training for principals

Andre Wright was previously one of the district's learning community directors overseeing 10 schools.

Breakaway districts

Tennessee
March 26, 2018

Tennessee opened a Pandora’s box by lifting the ban on new school districts. Now on to the details.

With more towns exploring whether to start their own school systems, state lawmakers say a deeper study is in order. Now the question is the study's scope.

language learning

Colorado
March 26, 2018

Westminster district signs agreement to better serve students learning English

The U.S. Department of Justice said the agreement was reached to resolve the district's "noncompliance."

Leadership

Colorado
March 21, 2018

Aurora’s superintendent will get a contract extension

The Aurora school board president made the announcement Tuesday. Details of the offer aren't yet available.

cooling off

New York
March 19, 2018

New York City charter leader Eva Moskowitz says Betsy DeVos is not ‘ready for prime time’

In New York City, Eva Moskowitz has been a lone voice of support for the controversial U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. But even…

Civil action

Detroit
March 14, 2018

Detroit school board to protesters: Please remain civil. Protesters to school board: You’re naive

The meeting is being rescheduled, while the board president is making an appeal for civility.

parent voice

Tennessee
March 9, 2018

It’s not enough just to stay open, say Memphis parents of their struggling elementary school

Parents are glad Shelby County Schools rejected a state recommendation to close Hawkins Mill Elementary, but still have questions.

parting ways

New York
March 9, 2018

After voting down school closures, de Blasio appointee to education panel is out

After casting a deciding vote blocking the education department from closing two Queens schools last month, T. Elzora Cleveland resigned from the city’s…

Movers and shakers

Colorado
March 8, 2018

Former Colorado speaker Terrance Carroll to work for Denver Public Schools

Carroll will start on April 2 as the district’s chief legal and external affairs officer, a new position.

NEXT LEADER

Tennessee
March 8, 2018

Here are the four candidates to be the next superintendent of the Achievement School District

All four candidates to lead the Achievement School District are men with backgrounds in charters, turnaround work, or state departments — and one is based in Memphis.

‘Why I Left’

Colorado
March 3, 2018

Former Manual principal resigned after learning of hostile work environment allegation

“The job of a principal in our current climate is not for the faint of heart."

standing firm

Tennessee
March 1, 2018

McQueen: If Memphis school leaders won’t convert American Way to a charter, the state will

The commissioner's comments come two days after Memphis leaders voted to move American Way Middle School into its highly regarded Innovation Zone.

Dueling pathways

Tennessee
February 26, 2018

McQueen’s plan would interrupt Hopson’s for improving one Memphis school

The state's recommendation to close Hawkins Mill Elementary comes in the school's first year of a three-year improvement plan under Shelby County Schools.

pushing back

Tennessee
February 20, 2018

State’s most drastic school intervention plans won’t work, say Memphis board members

School board members suggest Hawkins Mill Elementary and American Way Middle instead move into the district's turnaround model, the Innovation Zone.

Turnaround 2.0

Tennessee
February 16, 2018

McQueen outlines state intervention plans for 21 Memphis schools

McQueen's letter offers the first look at how the state is pursuing school turnaround plans under its new tiered model of school improvement.