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 30 articles by Bri Hatch :
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.”
MSCS Mental Health Director Donna Goings said attendance at suicide and bullying prevention trainings fell by two-thirds last year. That’s because most students don’t return parent permission slips required by a 2024 state law.
A newly filed Tennessee bill would allow dissatisfied voters to recall certain elected officials, including school board members.
Youth Connect has provided free therapy outside of school to 345 young people in the Memphis area since starting in May 2024. Those who work with youths say it fills a need.
State Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis) will lead the National Assessment Governing Board which oversees “the nation’s report card.”
Memphis-Shelby County Schools cut teacher vacancies by hundreds compared with this time last year, thanks to a bolstered HR team, an official said. More than 200 new hires hold conditional licenses, which expire in three years.
MSCS is required by state law to screen every student for signs of dyslexia, but Tennessee allows only an outside provider, such as a licensed psychologist, to give an official dyslexia diagnosis.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools earned the highest score in the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System for the fourth year in a row. But younger students lost progress in social studies, falling behind expected growth.
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