Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Sharon Griffin

reaction

Tennessee
17 hours ago

Tennesseans reflect on Candice McQueen’s legacy leading the state’s schools

As Candice McQueen prepares to leave her role as chief of Tennessee schools in January, education leaders, advocates, and parents are weighing in on her legacy.

By the numbers

Tennessee
2 days ago

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
3 days ago

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.

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.

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.

school support

Tennessee
September 20, 2018

When students miss school, they fall behind. Here’s how one group is curbing absenteeism.

Agape, a Memphis nonprofit, works with students at Whitney Achievement Elementary and 15 other schools to help students with attendance and behavior.

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.

DIGGING INTO SCORES

Tennessee
August 22, 2018

It’s been six years since Tennessee took over its first low-performing schools. How are they doing?

Of the six schools in the original state-run Achievement School District, four had fewer than 10 percent of students tested at grade level in math or English during the 2017-2018 academic year.
Tennessee
Updated August 23, 2018

How one Memphis school is caught in the crosshairs of state and local improvement efforts

The Tennessee Department of Education is reviewing the district’s plan for American Way, and has not yet decided whether or not it will be subject to a takeover.

TN scores dump

Tennessee
August 16, 2018

School-level test scores are in for the Achievement School District. And they’re bleak.

In English and math exams, not a single Achievement School District elementary, middle or high school had more than 18 percent of students scoring on grade level.

New Leadership

Tennessee
August 13, 2018

Coaching will be key as Griffin adds two from Memphis iZone to state district team

Here are the members of Sharon Griffin's new leadership team for the Achievement School District.

help wanted

Tennessee
August 6, 2018

After 18 months, Shelby County Schools is still without a leader to drive academic improvement

The search is ongoing, says Superintendent Dorsey Hopson.

new era

Tennessee
July 31, 2018

Leaders of Tennessee’s state-run district call test scores ‘sobering,’ ask educators for new energy

“High school principals, you have the hardest job," Sharon Griffin said. "This doesn’t mean it’s impossible to tackle the issues. But a double-digit gain this year is what we need to be on track again.”

Silver Lining Playbook

Tennessee
July 19, 2018

Memphis’ youngest students show reading gains on 2018 state tests — and that’s a big deal

Those working to improve early literacy rates in Shelby County Schools got a small morale boost from newly released TNReady scores.
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