Category: Accountability

Are we holding our schools and ourselves accountable for educating all kids and giving every one of them a chance at a successful, fulfilling life?

Accountability, Black Community, Nashville, School Choice

3 Books and a Podcast, Stocking Stuffers For The Parent Who Needs To Know Everything

2018. Woo boy. Lots to unpack, but we’ll circle back to the year that was – next week. In the spirit of Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa, I’d like to offer readers the gift of information. Sure, it’s like opening up your carefully hung stocking to a neatly rolled pair of thick socks on Christmas morning, but when have you ever not needed socks? Like socks, (ok, stay with … Continue reading 3 Books and a Podcast, Stocking Stuffers For The Parent Who Needs To Know Everything

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Accountability, School Choice, Tennessee

Schooling In America: While Some Scream Against Choice, More Quietly Choose

What do you think about our public schools? The answer to that could vary widely depending on whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or a taxpayer without a personal connection to the public education system. A new report by EdChoice shines some light on parent and teacher attitudes about the direction of the K-12 education, accountability, and choice programs. In Schooling in America, the most … Continue reading Schooling In America: While Some Scream Against Choice, More Quietly Choose

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Accountability, Nashville, School Choice

Why Is It So Hard For Families To Get The Respect They Deserve?

“We build relationship systems.” — Mia Howard, founder and CEO of Intrepid Schools in Antioch, TN. Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting Intrepid Schools, a Tennessee Reward school (top five percent) and charter school. The interview with the school’s fearless leader Mia Howard has been on my mind as of late because of what she listed as Intrepid’s secret to success. Relationships and … Continue reading Why Is It So Hard For Families To Get The Respect They Deserve?

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Accountability, Nashville

A Look Back At The Nashville School Board, Same As Today

A controversial and expensive decision affecting thousands of students. A contentious director of schools. A divided and belligerent school board. Racial tensions. Tens of thousands of students in struggling schools in a district ready for state takeover. The year was 2007. Fast forward eleven years to a near-identical situation, only the players have changed. Playing Director of Schools was Dr. Pedro Garcia surrounded by 4 … Continue reading A Look Back At The Nashville School Board, Same As Today

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Accountability, Tennessee

Will Shelby County Schools Leader Be Tennessee’s Next Commissioner of Education?

UPDATE: It has been reported that Hopson is leaving the district for a corporate gig – presumably to practice law. I’m an unreliable source for unsubstantiated information, so if you’re looking for gossip I’m typically not your girl. But today I’m dying to dish on the circumstances surrounding an announcement coming out of Memphis, TN. Remember when Shelby County Schools (SCS) superintendent Dorsey Hopson out … Continue reading Will Shelby County Schools Leader Be Tennessee’s Next Commissioner of Education?

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Accountability, School Choice, Tennessee

Governor-Elect Lee: Let These 4 Things Guide Your Education Decisions

Dear Governor-Elect Lee: This will be short and sweet. As a political newcomer, it’s possible you are only peripherally familiar with the battles in and around education. The bloodiest of them are not found in the area of your residence, Williamson County, one of the wealthiest counties in the nation with the second highest performing school district in the state. Further, you may not be … Continue reading Governor-Elect Lee: Let These 4 Things Guide Your Education Decisions

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Accountability, Black Community, Nashville

Y’all Are Talking About The Director of School’s Attitude While 21 Schools Die In The Dark

A version of this post was first published in The Contributor, a community magazine created specifically for Nashville’s homeless and citizens in poverty “by creating economic opportunity with dignity.” Vendors are allowed to purchase the magazine for a minimal cost and sell them at a higher price to ensure a hefty profit margin. The program is wildly successful as it has helped numerous women and … Continue reading Y’all Are Talking About The Director of School’s Attitude While 21 Schools Die In The Dark

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