Peabody Elementary will remain closed for rest of school year
Relocating for the rest of the school year “is the best and least disruptive option as we restore this historic gem,” Memphis-Shelby County Schools wrote in a letter to families.
Laura Testino
Laura Testino is an enterprise reporter who writes about how public policy shapes Memphis. She is currently reporting from Frayser about education and housing. Please write her with your suggestions and story tips.
There are 80 articles by Laura Testino :
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October 2023
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Education MSCS presentation shows how facilities overhaul may unfold
MSCS officials shared the plans on Wednesday during the first meeting of a new steering committee that’s helping the district develop its buildings strategy and generate community support for it.
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Education Tennessee rushes to revamp its A-F letter grades for schools. Educators cry foul.
As the state prepares to finally issue its first grades in November, the education department and its new leader are revamping the grading formula.
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November 2023
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Education Memphis’ school district needs to cut $150 million in spending. Hundreds of jobs are on the line.
MSCS leaders have proposed eliminating 675 jobs along with a mix of student programs as they figure out how to cut $150 million in spending from next year’s budget.
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December 2023
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Education Memphis-Shelby County Schools interview superintendent finalists
The start of the interview process is a step toward hiring a new leader for Tennessee’s largest school district, which has been operating with Interim Superintendent Toni Williams in charge since August 2022, when Joris Ray resigned.
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Education Memphis-Shelby County Schools board narrows superintendent search to 3 finalists
Yolonda Brown, Marie Feagins and Cheryl Proctor will face a round of in-depth interviews in January.
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January 2024
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Education MSCS’ building strategy in the works: See which schools may be affected
In all, nearly half of the district’s buildings, and their communities, could be affected if the district follows through on the plan.
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Education Future of Tennessee school turnaround work uncertain with departure of first statewide leader
Six months after Tennessee hired its first leader to manage school improvement work statewide, the position is now vacant.
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February 2024
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Education Rep. White to file legislation to let governor add members to Memphis school board
Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis) cited prolonged frustration with the board’s locally elected leadership when explaining his plans to Chalkbeat on Tuesday.
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Education ‘We will defy the odds,’ new schools’ superintendent vows
“I am committed to doing whatever it takes,” said Marie Feagins, currently chief of leadership and high schools for Detroit Public Schools Community District.
Related story:
Board names new Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent
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Education Some Tennessee fourth graders have to meet individualized ‘adequate growth’ measure or risk retention
Tennessee fourth graders will have to show during state testing this spring that they’ve made progress toward becoming better readers in order to move to the fifth grade.
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March 2024
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Education Memphis school board appointment bill on hold amid talks with state lawmakers
“Our city is begging for change when it comes to education, and I want to know that this school board has a plan,” said Rep. Mark White, who chairs a House education committee.
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Education Incoming Memphis schools leader Marie Feagins begins work, set to assume superintendent role April 1
Maire Feagins’ temporary employment with the Memphis-Shelby County Schools took effect March 1 on a per diem basis. She’s likely to become MSCS superintendent on April 1, months ahead of the July 1 start that board members had planned.
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Education New MSCS superintendent’s contract includes ethics clause
The former superintendent departed under an investigation into allegations that he abused power and violated district policies.
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Education Proposed U of M district wouldn’t lead to school takeovers, supporters pledge
But there are still some lingering concerns about the proposal, which would make the proposed University Schools district the 10th public school operator in Shelby County.
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April 2024
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Education Restored Craigmont High School planetarium enriches solar eclipse for Memphis students
The Craigmont planetarium is a one-of-a-kind offering in Memphis’ public school system. And it’s an example of how school building improvements can enrich student learning.
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Education Memphis’ Humes school, Elvis Presley’s alma mater, is closing after yearslong turnaround attempt
Humes, now a middle school, is exiting a state-run turnaround district after 10 years. Its students will be reassigned to a school in a different part of the city.
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May 2024
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Education MSCS’ $200 million funding request reflects soaring cost of new high schools
MSCS is asking the county for more than $200 million in funding for school buildings, both to address maintenance needs at existing schools and to support construction of two new high schools.
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Education Marie Feagins, a longtime student advocate, faces new tests as Memphis superintendent
Feagins has officially been superintendent for only about two months, but has been gearing up for this role for a long time.
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June 2024
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Premium
EducationMSCS test scores: 4 graphs show how students did
Math and English language arts proficiency varies by race, and MSCS’ scores continue to fall below statewide data.
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EducationState testing results: See how your Memphis-area school scored
Using Tennessee Department of Education data, The Daily Memphian created a searchable table of Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) exam scores.
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Free With Sign-Up
EducationThree Memphis charter schools set for abrupt closure
Charter operator Memphis Scholars received a violation from Tennessee’s Achievement School District, prompting a board vote to close three schools that serve more than 400 students in North and South Memphis.
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EducationWhat the state says went wrong at Memphis Scholars’ charter schools
Findings from the state-run Achievement School District showed “serious noncompliance and material violations of the charter agreement” by Memphis Scholars, revealing additional information about the abrupt closure of the operators three charter schools.
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July 2024
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Premium
EducationDespite possible shift of laid-off employees, MSCS’ teacher shortage continues
During a recent hiring fair, MSCS offered jobs to about 100 people, but only 15 candidates were given teaching positions.
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Education North Memphis school set for closure will stay open under MSCS
MSCS Superintendent Marie Feagins says Caldwell-Guthrie Elementary School, shuttered last week by its state-takeover operators, will stay open this fall and expand to take on students from Humes Middle School. MSCS closed Humes earlier this spring.
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