Judaea Driscoll, a student at Southwest Tennessee Community College, and Joshua Carlucci, who’s in graduate school at the University of Memphis, are our fall 2022 journalism interns.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools has been named an advancing district under the Tennessee Department of Education’s district accountability rankings.

Christian Brothers University placed in the top 20 in its category in the latest U.S. News and World Report college rankings, rising from last year, while other local colleges and universities fell. 

Collierville and Lakeland were the only districts in Shelby County designated reward schools by the Tennessee Department of Education. The honor is reserved for schools in the top 5% for performance, growth or both.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools Deputy Superintendent John Barker has been placed on paid leave pending an investigation into a complaint levied against him. 

Memphis-Shelby County Schools is taking issues with comments from Mayor Jim Strickland about enrollment and truancy.

The University of Memphis is creating a new strategic plan, focusing on declining student enrollment and updating facilities — among other topics — and seeking a new provost, board of trustees members were told this week.

With the implementation of the Education Savings Account Program, families in Shelby County can receive nearly $8,200 toward tuition, fees and transportation to attend Catholic schools.

“She had a kind spirit. She was always happy, always bubbly. I don’t ever remember her being unhappy,” said a former employer. “She was very warm, very giving.” 

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With large numbers of candidates vying for a small number of spots in U.S. medical schools, some Memphians are earning their medical degrees in the Caribbean. 

Collierville Elementary and Schilling Farms Elementary implemented house systems to help foster community in the school environment.

State of Tennessee divvying up more than $4.5 billion for K-12 education.

John Avis, a Memphis educator who had served in Memphis schools since the mid-1970s, died in a traffic accident.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools may soon begin moving to reach an agreement with two suburban districts before it loses ownership of four campuses at the end of the year.

Tutonial Williams, the finance chief for MSCS, will lead the district while it searches for a permanent replacement for former superintendent Joris Ray.

Southwest Tennessee Community College celebrated its aviation program with an open house at the Olive Branch airport Tuesday, Aug. 30. 

The University of Memphis has established new traffic patterns for university schools, including the new University High School.

Deborah Perron Tollefsen’s appointment follows other recent changes in leadership at the university. 

The governor recently provided an update to the school safety executive order he signed in June after the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

A week after accepting former Superintendent Joris Ray’s resignation, the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education naming an interim replacement. Here are some of the likely candidates. 

School board Chair Michelle McKissack says input from former superintendent Joris Ray isn’t expected, although the language included in Ray’s resignation agreement suggests he will be. McKissack said the clause was instead just standard language. 

Bill Gates and the Walton family funded a substantial portion of the advocacy for Gov. Bill Lee’s school funding overhaul. Skeptics fear this philanthropy is self-interested, advancing an agenda to dismantle public schools to benefit private interests.

The Tennessee Department of Education said Thursday, Aug. 25, that it is still waiting to approve three schools but that they all have a “pathway to eligibility.”

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Major projects in subsequent years include roof replacements for Bon Lin Elementary and Middle, Bartlett Elementary and Appling Middle, and a gymnasium renovation at the Ninth Grade Academy.

Melissa Collins, a 21-year veteran of the district and second-grade teacher at JP Freeman Optional School, has been named Tennessee Teacher of the Year.