Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Stephanie Love

school finance

Tennessee
June 24, 2019

For the second year in a row, county leaders use one-time funding to grant Memphis schools part of its budget request

The decision reversed a rejection earlier in the meeting where most commissioners abstained from voting on a recommendation to increase recurring costs by $1.9 million.

PLOT TWIST

Tennessee
June 19, 2019

In a change from previous years, Memphis schools likely to get less money than requested from county

A final vote on the county's budget is expected Monday.

Charter Schools

Tennessee
May 2, 2019

Three Memphis charters spared from closure under new state law, while former superintendent plans to appeal decision to close one of his schools

A charter school leader running for mayor plans to appeal Shelby County Schools’ decision to close one of his schools after he said board members used a double standard.

Superintendent search

Tennessee
April 23, 2019

Memphis school board appears poised to make superintendent choice with little public discussion

The Shelby County Schools board postponed discussion Tuesday of a resolution to suspend a national search for a superintendent and hire the interim leader.

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.

DIALOGUE

Tennessee
April 16, 2019

Tennessee governor huddles with school leaders in cities affected by his voucher proposal

In a closed-door meeting at the Capitol, Gov. Bill Lee hears from leaders in the five cities that would be affected by his voucher proposal.

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.

Hold Up

Tennessee
April 8, 2019

Memphis school board members disagree on how to pick next superintendent, decision on search firm delayed

Three Memphis school board members suggested ditching a national search for Shelby County Schools' next superintendent.

Voucher debate

Tennessee
March 26, 2019

On the eve of key voucher vote, Memphis school leaders reiterate opposition

The governor’s plan to roll out education savings accounts is slated to go Wednesday before a key committee in the Tennessee legislature.

Politics & Policy

Tennessee
March 22, 2019

Here’s a first look into Memphis school budget priorities under Joris Ray

Even though the board is about to hire a national search firm to look for a new superintendent, Ray has not been shy about pushing through initiatives.

school finance

Tennessee
January 30, 2019

Memphis philanthropies ‘interested’ in paying for superintendent search firm

The CEO of the Memphis Education Fund said his group is “interested” in paying for the national search firm the district hires to find its next leader.

Reading revisited

Tennessee
December 17, 2018

McQueen ends her Tennessee tenure the same way she started — focused on reading

In her swan song tour of the state, the outgoing education commissioner offers both encouragement and strong talk about Tennessee's illiteracy problem.

Achievement School District

Tennessee
December 5, 2018

McQueen: More school takeovers ‘most likely’ coming to Memphis and Nashville

Tennessee's outgoing education chief says she'll recommend more takeovers to the next governor, unless there's significant improvement.

Testing

Tennessee
November 27, 2018

Memphis school board considers asking lawmakers to drop TNReady testing

The panel has sharply criticized the state for its failure to implement a reliable online test, but until now has stopped short of asking lawmakers to eliminate it.

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.
‹