In 2001, 64 Memphis City Schools were put “on notice” that they were low performers and without improvement, would one day be taken over by the state.
Now, it seems, that day has finally arrived.
The state department of education is issuing directives for 17 “striving” schools. Some, like Vance Middle, have already been “fresh-started” by MCS superintendent Carol Johnson, meaning staff members were removed and new administrators and teachers put in their place.
The state directives include more oversight and a pay for performance plan.
Six years ago, state takeovers of “failing” schools seemed unlikely. At the time, former state board of education school board member Cherrie Holden said, “Our intent is not a state takeover. We’re taking the data saying, ‘Hey, y’all have a problem.’ Each of those problems is a child.”
The state will get school progress reports from MCS today.
Read the Flyer‘s 2001 cover story about failing schools.
