Local Education, Local Government, Memphis Brandon Paykamian Local Education, Local Government, Memphis Brandon Paykamian

Memphis-Shelby County Schools officials promise staff won't lose their jobs under district reorganization plan

Memphis Shelby County School Board members and Superintendent Marie Feagins addressed concerns about the school system’s plans to reorganize district personnel at Tuesday’s meeting, reassuring current staff that they will remain employed with the district.

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Clarksville-Montgomery school board discusses reading proficiency requirements, arming teachers and COVID-19 relief funding

Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board discussed reading proficiency requirements, the decision not to arm teachers, and the impact of COVID-19 relief funding during last week’s meeting.

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As Sumner County dries out, commissioners who rejected flood prevention funds are working to elect Senate challenger Chris Spencer

On May 8 floodwaters rushed into Sumner County, damaging property, and forcing emergency crews to execute dozens of water rescues.The storm also washed up new criticism for a far right-wing political organization that’s gained power in the county in recent years, and is challenging to take its politics to a bigger role in state government this year. That group is the Sumner County Constitutional Republicans.

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National Education, News Guest User National Education, News Guest User

Final Showdown Over ESAs in Texas as Abbott Looks to Oust Conservative Opponents

It’s not often that statehouse elections in rural Texas steer the national conversation about school choice. But things might change later this month.On May 28, voters will choose Republican candidates in 13 of the state’s 150 House districts. Four are currently held by representatives targeted by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for persistently stymying his attempts to create a statewide system of education savings accounts (ESAs).

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Memphis school and law enforcement officials oppose allowing teachers to carry guns

In a joint video message, Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Superintendent Marie Feagins, Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr., and Interim Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis emphasized that they believe firearms have no place in schools.

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Middle Tennessee, State Education Sky Arnold Middle Tennessee, State Education Sky Arnold

Governor signs law designed to reduce the number of children retained in the fourth-grade under new reading requirements

Governor Bill Lee signed legislation Tuesday that should ease some concerns parents have that their fourth-graders could be held back this year.That possibility is due to a provision of the state’s Third-Grade Retention Law that went into effect last school year.

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Commentary Guest User Commentary Guest User

Commentary: How District Leaders Should Navigate the Perfect Storm of Budget Shortfalls & Declining Student Enrollment

It makes intuitive sense: Smaller districts with fewer kids need fewer schools. A district with 40,000 students operates many more school buildings than a district with 20,000, which in turn runs more than a district with 10,000. With widespread enrollment declines (for example, California’s school-age population is forecast to drop by 15% over the next decade), many districts are now grappling with whether to close one or more schools.

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State Education Sky Arnold State Education Sky Arnold

Children to learn this week if they're at risk for retention under reading requirements

Parents across the state should learn this week whether their third and fourth-graders are at risk for retention because of new state reading requirements.Under the state’s Third-Grade Retention Law, third-graders who fail to show reading proficiency on state tests have to undergo either summer school or summer school and tutoring during their fourth-grade year to advance. Additionally, fourth-graders impacted by the law last year have to show “adequate growth” on state testing this year to be promoted to fifth-grade.

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Nashville State Community College prepares for new healthcare and information technology programs with Clarksville campus expansion

Nashville State Community College broke ground this week on a Clarksville campus expansion that’s designed to serve students with new academic programs in healthcare, information technology, secondary education, and industrial process control.The expanded facility on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard will include a complete renovation of the existing building in addition to a second building and expanded parking. 

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State Education, Middle Tennessee Vanessa Helgeland State Education, Middle Tennessee Vanessa Helgeland

Tristar Reads contest encourages students to spend their summer break with a book

Last summer Rutherford County teen Taylor Aslup took advantage of every opportunity to read.Aslup balanced work and cheerleading while still finding time to spend more than 31 thousand minutes reading books she frequently downloaded on her phone. That devotion to reading helped her earn a $1,000 scholarship as the overall winner in the annual Tristar Reads contest.

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Local Education, Memphis Reana Gibson Local Education, Memphis Reana Gibson

Student transition team presents recommendations to Memphis-Shelby County Schools

New Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins has looked to a variety of voices for assistance as she charts a path for the state’s largest school district.On Tuesday she heard from the youngest advisors.The 103-student transition team known as the “Legacy Builders” met at the Memphis Botanic Garden to present feedback for how the district can increase support, engagement, and academics.

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State Education Reana Gibson State Education Reana Gibson

New report details how segregation continues in school assignments 70 years after Brown v. Board of Education

On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court’s historic Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas decision outlawed segregation in public schools, making it illegal for districts to turn away African American children because of their race.A new report finds cracks in that ruling have continued to persist over the seventy years following that decision. “The Broken Promise of Brown vs Board of Ed” report from nonprofit organizations Available to All and Bellwether Education uncovered loopholes that still create discrimination for low-income students, students with disabilities, and others.

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Knoxville, Local Education Reana Gibson Knoxville, Local Education Reana Gibson

School resource officers to remain the only armed personnel in Knox County Schools

The Knox County Schools Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution affirming that school resource officers (SRO) and law enforcement officers will remain the only armed personnel allowed in school.This resolution came from board member Kristi Kristy, one of two school board members that proposed separate resolutions to oppose the new law that allows teachers to carry guns in school. Board member Katherine Bike made the other resolution, but withdrew it due to the board feeling that they ultimately say the same thing.

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