Last-minute student laptop change leaves Memphis parents, teachers scrambling
MSCS has quietly ended a yearslong policy of giving every student their own personal laptop or tablet.
Bri Hatch
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 42 articles by Bri Hatch :
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September 2026
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Education
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July 2026
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Education State takeover, an audit and more school closures: 5 Memphis stories to watch as classes begin
With district leadership still up in the air, Memphis-Shelby County Schools is diving into chronic absenteeism solutions and math-curriculum changes. And more school closures are likely this year.
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Education Facing state scrutiny, Memphis schools intensify efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism
MSCS enrollment has suffered in the past decade. But the district doesn’t just struggle to get students in the door, it also has trouble keeping them in their seats day after day.
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Education This Memphis charter school cut chronic absenteeism to only 3 students. Here’s how.
MSCS leaders ramped up chronic absenteeism interventions this past year, aiming to reduce chronic absenteeism rates for the first time since 2017.
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Education A new Memphis group is pushing for school reform via state takeover. Who are they?
Together4Students is the latest local group to join a cadre of Memphis advocates for school reform. It is urging the district to drop its state takeover lawsuit.
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June 2026
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Education Memphis charter students are bucking district math trends. Here’s what’s guiding their growth.
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.
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April 2026
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Education Can the GOP Memphis schools takeover be stopped? Local leaders weigh the district’s options.
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.
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Public Safety Federal judge orders immediate release of Memphis high school student detained by ICE
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.
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2026 Elections
ElectionsMemphis school board election 2026: Who are the candidates in District 1?
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.
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2026 elections
ElectionsMeet the 5 people running for the Memphis school board election in District 9
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.
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2026 elections
ElectionsVoter guide: Here are the Democratic Memphis school board candidates running in District 6
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.
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2026 elections
ElectionsMeet the 2 Democrats running for Memphis’ school board election in District 8
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.
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March 2026
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Education Is Memphis pulling too many students with disabilities from taking state standardized tests?
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.
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Education These Memphis-area students are lobbying for mental health investments
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.
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Education Memphis families grapple with where to send students after approved school closures
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.
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February 2026
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Education Chronic absenteeism is down in Memphis schools, but high schoolers still struggle to show up
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.
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Education Memphis students won’t have to make up snow days
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.
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State Government Tennessee GOP says ongoing Memphis schools audit is ‘concerning’
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.
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January 2026
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Education What would a Texas-style takeover look like for Memphis schools?
The recent overhaul of the Houston, Texas public school district inspired Tennessee Republicans’ push to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
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Education MSCS rehires custodial company after monthlong gap
For the past three weeks, nearly 35 MSCS schools have been without janitorial services because of the stalled contract.
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Education Memphis parents say district shouldn’t close school with strong academic growth, low enrollment
Only 84 students attend Ida B. Wells Academy this year, leaving more than 400 available spots unfilled.
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December 2025
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Education Who’s running in the 2026 Memphis school board election?
Five incumbent Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members confirmed with Chalkbeat that they’re running for reelection.
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Education Memphis leaders lay out reasons for second school closure proposal in Frayser neighborhood
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.
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Education Some Memphis schools won’t have custodians after board rejects contract again
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.
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Education Over 30 Memphis schools could lose cleaning services in January after board rejects custodian contract
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.
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