Author: Marta W. Aldrich

Sign up for Chalkbeat Tennessee’s free newsletter to keep up with statewide education policy and Memphis-Shelby County Schools.A Tennessee lawmaker wants Memphis-Shelby County Schools to come under the oversight of a state-appointed management board to address concerns about the district’s leadership, facilities, curriculum, and finances.Rep. Mark White told Chalkbeat he intends to introduce legislation that would create a seven- to nine-member board, filled by Memphis-area residents who have expertise on those topics, that would oversee the local elected school board until the state deems the district has stabilized.The Memphis Republican, who also chairs the House Education Committee, said he’s working…

Sign up for Chalkbeat Tennessee’s free newsletter to keep up with statewide education policy and Memphis-Shelby County Schools.After the collapse of his statewide private school voucher proposal last year, Gov. Bill Lee is back with a similar plan to try to convince lawmakers that Tennessee students need another taxpayer-funded alternative to traditional public schools.But while his new Education Freedom Act enjoys unified support among Republican leaders in both legislative chambers — a major difference from this time last year — it’s also generating many of the same concerns that contributed to the 2024 bill’s demise.Complicating matters further are sagging tax…