Sharon Griffin resigns as head of Achievement School District
Sharon Griffin’s resignation as chief of the Achievement School District reflects growing tension between the state and Griffin on how to improve the turnaround district.
Caroline Bauman
Chalkbeat Tennessee
Caroline Bauman serves as Chalkbeat Tennessee’s community editor and writes about Tennessee schools. Bauman has a masters degree from the University of Missouri as a Thurgood Marshall Fellow. When she’s not working, you can almost certainly find her enjoying BBQ nachos at Central or live music at the Levitt Shell.
There are 57 articles by Caroline Bauman :
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June 2019
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Education School leaders look for new ways to help students after Brandon Webber’s death
As Memphis responds to Brandon Webber's death, some have wondered what else could have been done while he was in school to prevent it.
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Education High-profile principal departs Georgian Hills Achievement Elementary
Yolanda Dandridge is leaving for charter operator Memphis Scholars. She will take charge of the Memphis-based charter organization’s Caldwell Guthrie Elementary School. She’s been at Georgian Hills as a teacher, assistant principal and principal since 2013.
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Education SCS superintendent delays plan to consolidate 28 schools into 10
Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris Ray says the district needs to listen more before deciding whether to implement his predecessor's plan to consolidate 28 schools into 10 new ones.
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Education High hopes for Achievement School District give way to tension
ASD chief Sharon Griffin wants to play a bigger role in the day-to-day operations of charter schools than past leaders have. She wants charter and school leaders to improve test scores, to bolster teacher recruitment and training. But school leaders say they were promised autonomy to run their charter schools as they see fit.
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May 2019
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Education An embattled Memphis charter school shuts down, forcing 150 students to make choices
Now that Gateway is officially closed, parents and students are left to find a new high school. Many are headed to their zoned neighborhood schools; others are still searching.
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Education Memphis school board approves $1.4 billion budget
The Shelby County Schools budget includes two major parts: the general operating fund that pays for day-to-day expenses, including teacher salaries and classroom initiatives, totaling $1.04 billion; and the remaining $360 million capital budget for new schools and building maintenance.
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Education New leader at Teach for America-Memphis plans to focus on alumni
Teach for America has welcomed more than 1,200 teachers over the past 13 years in Memphis, who have a commitment to stay in the classroom for two years. About 500 alumni of the program are still in Memphis, according to recent numbers from the organization. Nafeesha Mitchell will take over in June.
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Education What happens if Aspire leaves Memphis but keeps its four schools open
The Achievement School District has dealt with a spin-off like this before with Memphis Scholars, which runs three schools in the state district. But this is the first time Shelby County Schools has dealt with a question like this.
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Education Betsy DeVos praises Tennessee voucher program
When asked for her opinion on the provision that could affect immigrant or undocumented students, DeVos said: “I think that’s been a matter for Tennessee to debate. I can’t comment on a hypothetical."
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Education Charter leaders say special education funds could come up short in governor’s new budget
The grant funding is crucial, the charter leaders say, because hiring additional counselors or creating smaller classrooms for students with disabilities can cost schools more.
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April 2019
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Education Here’s who Penny Schwinn will lean on in Tennessee
For her chief of staff, Schwinn has picked Rebecca Shah, who worked at the Texas Education Agency where Schwinn served as deputy commissioner of academics before Gov. Bill Lee hired her as Tennessee education chief.
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Education Longtime Memphian Bobby White out as official at state-run turnaround district
A senior official in Tennessee’s Achievement School District was ousted Thursday morning – the first major shakeup the district has seen under leader Sharon Griffin.
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Education So far so good? Nearly halfway through, Tennessee state testing remains glitch-free
Tennessee’s school districts are nearly halfway through online testing, and for the first time in three years, no major issues have been reported.
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Education State board votes to close Gateway University
Seven Tennessee Board of Education members have unanimously upheld the Shelby County Schools board’s decision to close Gateway University Charter School at the end of this academic year, meaning 150 students will need to find a new high school for this fall.
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Education State board recommends closing Gateway University
The Tennessee Board of Education staff found that Gateway hired an educator who did not pass a background check, gave grades to students in a geometry class that did not exist, and relied on uncertified teachers in classes.
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March 2019
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Education Memphis parent advocacy group spreads model to other cities
Nashville is the latest city to copy pieces of the Memphis Lift model. Memphis Lift leader Sarah Carpenter said she’s also been meeting with parents in Oakland and Atlanta to help get their programs started.
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Education Griffin: More certified teachers, better K-2 instructors top priorities for ASD
In a presentation to Memphis parents this week, Griffin said: “The life of the ASD is at stake. We either fix it and show improvement or it’s not going to exist….”
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Education Tennesseans consider Gov. Lee’s voucher plan – and wonder who benefits most
Some Tennesseans say the income threshold makes vouchers appealing to families for which private school is within reach, compared to students from low-income families who may be looking to escape low-performing schools.
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Education As Tennessee’s turnaround district tries to reduce suspensions, here’s how one school rethinks discipline
Kirby Middle's principal, Marian Williams, credits the reflection room and an incentives program for students’ good behavior as aids to a more empathetic approach to discipline this year.
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Education Two candidates for Memphis mayor have education backgrounds. Here’s what you should know.
The Memphis mayor’s authority over public schools is limited, since the city school board voted in 2010 to dissolve the city district, which led to a merger of the city and county school systems. But the city mayor isn’t without power to steer conversation and dictate spending.
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February 2019
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Education 10 apply for vacant seat on the Memphis school board, but six live outside of seat’s district
Ten people are seeking appointment to an interim seat on the Shelby County Schools board. The District 2 seat opened with the departure of Teresa Jones to take an appointment as municipal court judge.
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Education East High teacher’s favorite student didn’t stand for the Pledge. She taught him a powerful lesson.
This teacher learned a valuable lesson when his favorite student didn't stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Education In last effort to stay open, Gateway University appeals to Tennessee board
Leaders of a Memphis charter high school have requested that the state board of education overturn the local district’s vote to close the school.
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Education State board sides with Memphis district in closing City University Boys school
The state Board of Education voted Friday to uphold the decision of Shelby County Schools to not renew the charter of City University Boys Preparatory. The school will close in May, following the end of this school year.
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