Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Bri Hatch

State takeover, an audit and more school closures: 5 Memphis stories to watch as classes begin

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:57:39 -0500

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.

Facing state scrutiny, Memphis schools intensify efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 04:00:11 -0500

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.

This Memphis charter school cut chronic absenteeism to only 3 students. Here’s how.

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 04:00:05 -0500

MSCS leaders ramped up chronic absenteeism interventions this past year, aiming to reduce chronic absenteeism rates for the first time since 2017.

A new Memphis group is pushing for school reform via state takeover. Who are they?

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:00:05 -0500

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.

Memphis charter students are bucking district math trends. Here’s what’s guiding their growth.

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 04:00:01 -0500

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.

Can the GOP Memphis schools takeover be stopped? Local leaders weigh the district’s options.

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:52:03 -0500

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.

Federal judge orders immediate release of Memphis high school student detained by ICE

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:28:20 -0500

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.

Memphis school board election 2026: Who are the candidates in District 1?

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:32:33 -0500

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.

Meet the 5 people running for the Memphis school board election in District 9

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:32:00 -0500

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.

Voter guide: Here are the Democratic Memphis school board candidates running in District 6

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:31:27 -0500

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.

Meet the 2 Democrats running for Memphis’ school board election in District 8

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:30:44 -0500

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.

Is Memphis pulling too many students with disabilities from taking state standardized tests?

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:12 -0500

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.

These Memphis-area students are lobbying for mental health investments

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 04:00:07 -0500

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.

Memphis families grapple with where to send students after approved school closures

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 04:00:09 -0600

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.

Chronic absenteeism is down in Memphis schools, but high schoolers still struggle to show up

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 04:00:10 -0600

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.

Memphis students won’t have to make up snow days

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:29:26 -0600

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.

Tennessee GOP says ongoing Memphis schools audit is ‘concerning'

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Thu, 5 Feb 2026 16:10:47 -0600

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.

What would a Texas-style takeover look like for Memphis schools?

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 04:00:09 -0600

The recent overhaul of the Houston, Texas public school district inspired Tennessee Republicans’ push to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

MSCS rehires custodial company after monthlong gap

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:08:23 -0600

For the past three weeks, nearly 35 MSCS schools have been without janitorial services because of the stalled contract.

Memphis parents say district shouldn’t close school with strong academic growth, low enrollment

bhatch@chalkbeat.org (Bri Hatch) — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:26:01 -0600

Only 84 students attend Ida B. Wells Academy this year, leaving more than 400 available spots unfilled.