Tennessee K-12 News | Superintendent's Corner https://superintendentscorner.com/state-tennessee The latest Tennessee school district news. en-us Court hearing leaves state's Memphis school takeover board in limbo https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxPZjg4N2dQR0cxdHVHa0hiRnowcEhrcnNFcVY4ZkFlNldDOFloa2lFM3loaGRPd3RJZUtXX0tHOHpoRFlnUHpQeVhhNXNKZHI2TVR2SjdzU21PZEJQYjU0anBZTmprT19id2NhN2VQU0hTbWcxOG5waFR0RHVwMkNUMTVlUVRBQ3FtZTd4TGJpOWpmZV9LbFJLcGtTaERqUzZvd1Nlek1YVWtsWG1qaE4yQ3JjT1hhMzMySHc?oc=5 https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxPZjg4N2dQR0cxdHVHa0hiRnowcEhrcnNFcVY4ZkFlNldDOFloa2lFM3loaGRPd3RJZUtXX0tHOHpoRFlnUHpQeVhhNXNKZHI2TVR2SjdzU21PZEJQYjU0anBZTmprT19id2NhN2VQU0hTbWcxOG5waFR0RHVwMkNUMTVlUVRBQ3FtZTd4TGJpOWpmZV9LbFJLcGtTaERqUzZvd1Nlek1YVWtsWG1qaE4yQ3JjT1hhMzMySHc?oc=5 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:47:00 +0000 The Tennessean Policy & LegislationTennessee Memphis schools takeover could move forward soon https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/10/02/state-takeover-memphis-shelby-county-schools/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/10/02/state-takeover-memphis-shelby-county-schools/ Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:03:38 +0000 Chalkbeat Policy & LegislationTennessee Attorneys for the Memphis-Shelby County school board faced tough questioning during a federal hearing on Oct. 2 over the district's lawsuit challenging Tennessee's state takeover law. Internal superintendent hires can contribute to district stability, new study says https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/30/superintendent-turnover-school-district-stability/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/30/superintendent-turnover-school-district-stability/ Wed, 30 Sep 2026 11:00:01 +0000 Chalkbeat LeadershipTennessee New research shows that chronic superintendent turnover negatively impacts student achievement. A new Vanderbilt study shows evidence that internal superintendent promotions might be a pathway for better district... Memphis school board taps new leadership https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/30/memphis-school-board-chair-tamarques-porter-replaces-natalie-mckinney/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/30/memphis-school-board-chair-tamarques-porter-replaces-natalie-mckinney/ Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:09:13 +0000 Chalkbeat LeadershipTennessee The Memphis-Shelby County school board on Sept. 29 elected District 4 board member Tamarques Porter to lead the body as chair. 4 things to know as the Memphis schools state takeover lawsuit progresses https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/22/four-things-to-know-as-memphis-schools-state-takeover-lawsuit-progresses/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/22/four-things-to-know-as-memphis-schools-state-takeover-lawsuit-progresses/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 20:38:10 +0000 Chalkbeat Policy & LegislationTennessee The new Memphis schools oversight board met only once, in June, before a federal judge temporarily blocked its takeover of the district. Tennessee schools still miss farm-to-school grant eliminated in 2025 as USDA rolls out new programs https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/22/schools-miss-farm-to-school-grant-eliminated/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/22/schools-miss-farm-to-school-grant-eliminated/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 19:31:00 +0000 Chalkbeat Budget & FinanceTennessee Tennessee schools are still feeling the loss of Local Foods for Schools funding eliminated by the Trump administration in 2025. The U.S. Department of agriculture recently announced a new "Harvest to Hallways"... Exit interview: Former MSCS board member calls for leadership stability https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/17/exit-interview-amber-huett-garcia-leaves-memphis-school-board/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/17/exit-interview-amber-huett-garcia-leaves-memphis-school-board/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:01:43 +0000 Chalkbeat LeadershipTennessee After four years, Amber Huett-Garcia left her District 8 school board seat in August to become a Shelby County commissioner. To Get Past AI Hype, Researchers Watch Students Use Actual Tools in Class https://www.the74million.org/article/to-get-past-ai-hype-researchers-watch-students-use-actual-tools-in-class/ https://www.the74million.org/article/to-get-past-ai-hype-researchers-watch-students-use-actual-tools-in-class/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000 The 74 Technology & AITennessee Like most of us, Emily Freitag hears a lot about generative artificial intelligence in the classroom. Much of it seems like the typical ed-tech hype. Co-founder and CEO of Instruction Partners, a Nashville-based... I’ve visited school districts from Tennessee to NYC. American kids are not ready for the AI revolution. https://districtadministration.com/ive-visited-school-districts-from-tennessee-to-nyc-american-kids-are-not-ready-for-the-ai-revolution/ https://districtadministration.com/ive-visited-school-districts-from-tennessee-to-nyc-american-kids-are-not-ready-for-the-ai-revolution/ Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:32:16 +0000 District Admin Technology & AITennesseeNew York Children aren’t hiding AI from us. Instead, we are hiding from AI, which is costing us the one conversation that would help them. The post I’ve visited school districts from Tennessee to NYC. American kids are not ready... Memphis schools lost more than 2,000 students this year, early data shows https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/15/memphis-starts-school-year-with-two-thousand-fewer-students/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/15/memphis-starts-school-year-with-two-thousand-fewer-students/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 22:29:28 +0000 Chalkbeat Teaching & LearningTennessee Memphis enrollment stayed relatively steady in the 2024-25 school year, increasing by only 600 students. Tennessee kids could see major Meta settlement windfall. How will it be spent? https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/11/who-gets-to-spend-meta-settlement-how-much-is-meta-settlement/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/11/who-gets-to-spend-meta-settlement-how-much-is-meta-settlement/ Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:00:01 +0000 Chalkbeat School SafetyTennessee A Meta settlement that could direct hundreds of millions of dollars to Tennessee child mental health well-being programs is a "once-in-a-generation opportunity," one Tennessee lawmaker says. Schools Have a Motivation Problem — AI Is Making It Impossible to Ignore https://www.the74million.org/article/schools-have-a-motivation-problem-ai-is-making-it-impossible-to-ignore/ https://www.the74million.org/article/schools-have-a-motivation-problem-ai-is-making-it-impossible-to-ignore/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000 The 74 Technology & AITennessee In 2017, Alex Campbell, a sociology teacher at Elizabethton High School in Tennessee, offered his students the assignment of a lifetime: Could they solve a notorious series of cold-case murders that had stumped law... Last-minute student laptop change leaves Memphis parents, teachers scrambling https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/08/memphis-schools-face-last-minute-laptop-policy-change/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/08/memphis-schools-face-last-minute-laptop-policy-change/ Tue, 08 Sep 2026 22:37:27 +0000 Chalkbeat Technology & AITennessee White Station parents raised concerns about having enough laptops for online testing and virtual schoolwork. Opinion: In Tennessee, My Immigrant Students and Families Give More Than They Take https://www.the74million.org/article/in-tennessee-my-immigrant-students-and-families-give-more-than-they-take/ https://www.the74million.org/article/in-tennessee-my-immigrant-students-and-families-give-more-than-they-take/ Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:30:00 +0000 The 74 School SafetyTennessee By all appearances, she is a typical fourth-grade girl. She has long, dark brown hair and an infectious smile, and she dreams of becoming a police officer when she grows up.  But unlike most 10-year-olds, a year ago... Tennessee TCAP testing time to increase in 2027 due to new, unscored writing test https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/01/2027-tcap-english-test-writing-field-assessment/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/01/2027-tcap-english-test-writing-field-assessment/ Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:42:39 +0000 Chalkbeat Teaching & LearningTennessee There is concern among Tennessee teachers about adding a significant block of testing to an already high-stake testing window next spring. What do Memphis schools need to improve? Here’s what local experts say. https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/01/memphis-education-experts-call-for-sustainable-improvement-plan/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/09/01/memphis-education-experts-call-for-sustainable-improvement-plan/ Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:30:38 +0000 Chalkbeat LeadershipTennessee With leadership changes pending, Memphis education experts say the district needs a longterm plan to mitigate turnover. Tennessee is looking into changing how it evaluates schools https://districtadministration.com/tennessee-is-looking-into-changing-how-it-evaluates-schools/ https://districtadministration.com/tennessee-is-looking-into-changing-how-it-evaluates-schools/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:39:41 +0000 District Admin Policy & LegislationTennessee There are currently two education accountability systems: the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA); and the state letter grade. The post Tennessee is looking into changing how it evaluates schools appeared first on... Opinion: How a Tennessee Charter School Doubled its Reading Proficiency Rate in 4 Years https://www.the74million.org/article/how-a-tennessee-charter-school-doubled-its-reading-proficiency-rate-in-4-years/ https://www.the74million.org/article/how-a-tennessee-charter-school-doubled-its-reading-proficiency-rate-in-4-years/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:30:00 +0000 The 74 Teaching & LearningTennessee This summer, 81% of third graders at Nashville Classical East scored proficient in reading on our rigorous state test, the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program.  To put these results in perspective, four years... See how your Tennessee school performed on the 2026 TCAP https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/27/2026-tcap-school-level-results/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/27/2026-tcap-school-level-results/ Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:21:12 +0000 Chalkbeat Teaching & LearningTennessee Tennessee released its school-level TCAP scores this week from spring 2026 assessments. Should Tennessee fully fund special education pre-K programs? https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/25/special-education-pre-k-funding/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/25/special-education-pre-k-funding/ Tue, 25 Aug 2026 19:48:10 +0000 Chalkbeat Teaching & LearningTennessee Tennessee school leaders say the state is not providing adequate funding for special education pre-k classrooms, which districts are required to offer for students with disabilities as young as 3 who live in the... Most Memphis schools will reopen Tuesday after weekend storm https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/25/most-memphis-schools-will-reopen-tuesday-after-weekend-storm/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/25/most-memphis-schools-will-reopen-tuesday-after-weekend-storm/ Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:41:29 +0000 Chalkbeat Teaching & LearningTennessee Most Memphis students will return to classes Tuesday, while after-school activities remain canceled. Where the 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial candidates stand on education issues https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/21/governor-candidates-blackburn-green-education-policy-vouchers-teachers/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/21/governor-candidates-blackburn-green-education-policy-vouchers-teachers/ Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:00:01 +0000 Chalkbeat LeadershipTennessee Tennessee voters will head back to the polls on Nov. 3 to elect a new governor who will shape education policy for the next four years. What do Memphis schools need to succeed? Join our virtual event to find out. https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/12/what-do-memphis-schools-need-to-succeed-join-virtual-event/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/12/what-do-memphis-schools-need-to-succeed-join-virtual-event/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 18:46:04 +0000 Chalkbeat LeadershipTennessee Join Chalkbeat and four Memphis education experts Aug. 31 to discuss how state and district leaders can help students succeed. Memphis schools budget earns approval after more than a month of delay https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/11/shelby-county-commission-approves-memphis-schools-budget-after-delay/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/11/shelby-county-commission-approves-memphis-schools-budget-after-delay/ Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:38:14 +0000 Chalkbeat Budget & FinanceTennessee Shelby County Commissioners voted 7-4 to approve the MSCS budget on Monday, over a week after classes had already started. Memphis 2026 school board election: live updates https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/06/memphis-school-board-election-results-2026/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/06/memphis-school-board-election-results-2026/ Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:00:01 +0000 Chalkbeat LeadershipTennessee Only two races, in Districts 6 and 8, are contested in the Aug. 6 election. Memphis’ first day of school by the numbers: enrollment improves, but teacher vacancies stagnate https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/03/memphis-schools-report-persistent-teacher-vacancies-on-first-day/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/08/03/memphis-schools-report-persistent-teacher-vacancies-on-first-day/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 23:08:48 +0000 Chalkbeat Teaching & LearningTennessee This year, Hawkins Mill Elementary is welcoming students displaced by the closure of a neighboring school in the spring. 5 Memphis stories to watch as classes begin https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/30/five-memphis-schools-stories-to-watch-as-classes-begin/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/30/five-memphis-schools-stories-to-watch-as-classes-begin/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Chalkbeat Teaching & LearningTennessee MSCS leaders say they're focusing on boosting middle school math achievement this year after seeing gains in reading. Facing state scrutiny, Memphis schools intensify efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/23/memphis-schools-focuses-on-chronic-absenteeism-amid-state-takeover/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/23/memphis-schools-focuses-on-chronic-absenteeism-amid-state-takeover/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:56:32 +0000 Chalkbeat Teaching & LearningTennessee MSCS leaders and attendance staff are going door to door in neighborhoods with high chronic absenteeism to reduce barriers preventing students from showing up to school. A new Memphis group is pushing for school reform via state takeover. Who are they? https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/21/new-memphis-group-pushes-district-to-drop-state-takeover-lawsuit/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/21/new-memphis-group-pushes-district-to-drop-state-takeover-lawsuit/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:10:48 +0000 Chalkbeat Policy & LegislationTennessee Together4Students recruits fellows ages 16 to 25 to train them to be education advocates as the state takeover of MSCS stalls in court. Memphis school board election comes as legal battle continues over state takeover https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/17/early-voting-starts-for-memphis-school-board-election-amid-takeover-battle/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/17/early-voting-starts-for-memphis-school-board-election-amid-takeover-battle/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Chalkbeat LeadershipTennessee Newly elected MSCS board members will take their seats on Sept. 1. This Memphis charter school cut chronic absenteeism to only 3 students. Here’s how. https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/14/memphis-charter-cuts-chronic-absenteeism-to-only-three-students/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/14/memphis-charter-cuts-chronic-absenteeism-to-only-three-students/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Chalkbeat Teaching & LearningTennessee High chronic absenteeism is one of six factors that spurred the state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. 5 key takeaways from the final Memphis schools audit report https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/09/five-key-findings-from-final-memphis-schools-audit-report/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/09/five-key-findings-from-final-memphis-schools-audit-report/ Thu, 09 Jul 2026 22:27:48 +0000 Chalkbeat Budget & FinanceTennessee The audit cites leadership instability as a key cause of dysfunction as the battle over MSCS' state takeover continues. Tennessee releases final results of Memphis schools forensic audit https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/08/final-memphis-schools-audit-results-drop-amid-state-takeover-battle/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/08/final-memphis-schools-audit-results-drop-amid-state-takeover-battle/ Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:27:52 +0000 Chalkbeat Budget & FinanceTennessee Results from the yearlong probe into MSCS' finances and operations come less than a month before the first day of classes. Are major changes coming to Tennessee teacher licensure requirements? https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/08/will-tennessee-drop-edtpa-requirement-for-teacher-licensure/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/08/will-tennessee-drop-edtpa-requirement-for-teacher-licensure/ Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:03:22 +0000 Chalkbeat Teaching & LearningTennessee Aspiring Tennessee teachers currently have to pass the edTPA, a portfolio-based assessment that demonstrates readiness to lead a classroom, and content assessments such as the PRAXIS, which tests specific subject... Memphis schools takeover blocked by judge in temporary order https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/01/memphis-schools-state-takeover-blocked-by-judge/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/01/memphis-schools-state-takeover-blocked-by-judge/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 17:30:43 +0000 Chalkbeat Policy & LegislationTennessee A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a state takeover board's authority after Memphis school officials said it could delay the start of the school year or even force building closures as the district... Tennessee reading scores are up, but progress is uneven as students get older https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/01/tcap-reading-scores-released-statewide-third-grade-retention-law/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/07/01/tcap-reading-scores-released-statewide-third-grade-retention-law/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 03:45:58 +0000 Chalkbeat Teaching & LearningTennessee Tennessee student reading scores are up in a critical third grade test, but students are losing proficiency as they move through middle school. MSCS will pay the state oversight board’s salary. But who will fund its work? https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/06/26/memphis-schools-budget-will-fund-state-takeover-board-salaries/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/06/26/memphis-schools-budget-will-fund-state-takeover-board-salaries/ Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Chalkbeat Budget & FinanceTennessee Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, sponsored the MSCS takeover bill and said it's unclear which board expenses will be covered by the state and which by local dollars. Memphis students improve on state reading tests but struggle in math https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/06/24/memphis-students-improve-on-tcap-reading-but-struggle-in-math/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/06/24/memphis-students-improve-on-tcap-reading-but-struggle-in-math/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:14:41 +0000 Chalkbeat Teaching & LearningTennessee Memphis high schoolers significantly improved on Algebra and geometry state tests this year, seeing upwards of a seven percentage point increase. As the fight over the Memphis schools takeover looms, these parents say they’re hopeful for change https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/06/23/memphis-parent-group-rallies-state-takeover-supporters-despite-lawsuit/ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tennessee/2026/06/23/memphis-parent-group-rallies-state-takeover-supporters-despite-lawsuit/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 21:52:10 +0000 Chalkbeat Policy & LegislationTennessee Memphis Lift gathered parents on June 20, 2026, to rally around and educate about the impending state takeover of MSCS. Report: Tennessee schools rank high in racial and economic segregation https://districtadministration.com/report-tennessee-schools-rank-high-in-racial-and-economic-segregation/ https://districtadministration.com/report-tennessee-schools-rank-high-in-racial-and-economic-segregation/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:57:59 +0000 District Admin Teaching & LearningTennessee One of the ‘worst offenders,’ Tennessee is home to schools that have become more segregated over the past three decades. The post Report: Tennessee schools rank high in racial and economic segregation appeared first on...