Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Miska Clay Bibbs

What now?

Tennessee
April 19, 2019

Unproven claims of sexual harassment against Joris Ray won’t halt superintendent vote, board members say

Most school board members are satisfied with an investigation into anonymous sexual harassment claims against interim superintendent Joris Ray that found “no evidence” of wrongdoing — and say it won’t affect their upcoming vote on whether to hire him.

What now?

Tennessee
April 11, 2019

The Memphis school board is divided on next steps for hiring a superintendent. Here’s what could happen.

About five months after former superintendent Dorsey Hopson announced he would step down, the school board is not much further in finding his replacement.

Tennessee
February 22, 2019

New Memphis charter school guidelines would help decide if there are too many schools in a single neighborhood

Board members would be able to systematically slow the growth of charter schools in Memphis, which has swelled to 54 since their inception in 2002.

No thanks

Tennessee
February 6, 2019

Citing appearance of ‘bias,’ Memphis board members plan to reject philanthropy offer to pay for superintendent search

The recommendation of the superintendent evaluation committee will go before the full board during a special meeting tentatively scheduled for Tuesday.

Charter Schools

Tennessee
November 27, 2018

Public will weigh in as district recommends closing one charter school, renewing three

This isn’t the first time City University’s school for boys has been in danger of closing.

new schools

Tennessee
August 21, 2018

Memphis board approves the opening of nine charter schools in 2019

That would bring the number of charter schools in Tennessee’s largest district to 63 — far and away the most in the state.

passing the mantle

Tennessee
April 25, 2018

With Sharon Griffin’s departure, Shelby County Schools has big (stiletto) shoes to fill

She just unveiled an academic plan for the district, but education onlookers say she has built a team that can see it through.

taking a stance

Tennessee
February 27, 2018

Memphis leaders urge state to stay out of their school improvement work

Shelby County Schools plans to move one school to its Innovation Zone and declines the state’s recommendation to close another.

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.

Optional Schools

Tennessee
December 6, 2017

Inequities of ‘tent city’ would persist online under plan for applying to Memphis’ most popular schools

The mostly first-come, first-serve approach would still challenge parents without digital access or with inflexible schedules.

Wheels up

Tennessee
November 10, 2017

Memphis philanthropists sponsor a trip to Indianapolis for school board members

Indianapolis’ school board has supported the transition to a “portfolio” model where district control is decentralized and various entities directly operate schools.

refocusing

Tennessee
October 21, 2016

Teach Plus to end fellowship program in Memphis

Teach Plus has trained more than 100 fellows in Memphis since 2009 and has been led since 2015 by Miska Clay Bibbs, a school board member.
Tennessee
June 26, 2014

Stand for Children endorses 8 school board candidates

Stand for Children has endorsed a slate of Shelby County school board candidates, six weeks before the Aug. 7 election, as part of its…