Bri Hatch covers Memphis-Shelby County Schools for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Hatch spent the past two years in Baltimore covering all-things education for WYPR, the city’s local NPR station, as a Report for America Corps Member.
There are 37 articles by Bri Hatch :
In examining post-pandemic learning loss, officials at Leadership Preparatory Charter School came to a realization: Teachers were following scripted math curriculum a bit too closely.
Since Tennessee Republicans passed the takeover bill last week, community response has been muted. Some say that’s because there’s no recourse, but a district lawsuit could be on the horizon.
The 18-year-old Memphis Business Academy student was released Friday afternoon. He’d been held in ICE detention since his arrest on the way to a school soccer game.
Two Memphis educators and one longtime board member are vying for the District 1 school board seat this spring. The May 5 Democratic primary will determine who wins the spot.
The candidates vying for Memphis’ District 9 board seat range from a former board chair to the lone pro-state takeover candidate. The May 5 Democratic primary will determine who wins the spot.
Five candidates are vying for the District 6 school board seat in the May 5 Democratic primary. The winner will face a sixth candidate, a longtime local pastor running as an independent, in August’s general election.
A former Memphis teacher and longtime local lawyer are vying for the District 8 school board seat in the May 5 Democratic primary. The winner will face a third candidate, a school librarian running as an independent, in August’s general election.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools designated 2,500 students with disabilities to take alternative state tests last year. That means 1,500 more than the federal cap are facing limited education paths.
The Shelby County Youth Council has spent the past six months crafting a list of almost 20 policy suggestions. Now, they’re trying to get those recommendations into county and city budgets.
The MSCS school board voted last week to shutter five schools by the end of this year. That leaves over 1,200 students to find a new place to go next fall, with the district extending its priority transfer deadline to accommodate last-minute changes.
That means around 12,000 high schoolers would miss more than 10% or 18 school days in a year. That’s significantly higher than the statewide average.
The district received a waiver from the Tennessee Department of Education after taking two full weeks off of class. That exceeded MSCS’ built-in snow days by two, prompting the need for state assistance.
The district says state auditors haven’t presented any evidence of fraud or abuse to constitute further investment. Republican lawmakers didn’t name specifics either.
The recent overhaul of the Houston, Texas public school district inspired Tennessee Republicans’ push to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
For the past three weeks, nearly 35 MSCS schools have been without janitorial services because of the stalled contract.
Only 84 students attend Ida B. Wells Academy this year, leaving more than 400 available spots unfilled.
Five incumbent Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members confirmed with Chalkbeat that they’re running for reelection.
Memphis parent Chajuana Williams said she would miss the family history embedded at Georgian Hills Elementary if district leaders decide to close the school in June.
With no more scheduled meetings and winter break rapidly approaching, it looks like around 35 Memphis schools will go without cleaning starting Jan. 1, 2026.
Board members said the company recommended by MSCS leaders has a history of poor service. It’s not the first time custodian contracts have caused issues.
The MSCS board is expected to vote on the suggested closures in February.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools will offer free food boxes next week to families in need during the holiday season.
An MSCS parent who is deaf and volunteers at Sea Isle said students are also missing out on learning about deaf culture.
Winchester Elementary opened its food pantry in March. The government shutdown means more Memphis families are going to the school for food.
Board member Amber Huett-Garcia said multiple high school teachers told her that students “have just stopped showing up.”
About 37 results