Federal Bill for After-school Programming
The new AFTER SCHOOL Act aims to award grants to school districts and nonprofits to run after-school programs in targeted areas. In other large cities, after-school programming has both decreased youth crime rates and kept more children safe from violence!
Learn more about local after-school providers in the latest update.
A Critical Budget Hearing | Weekly Policy Update
On May 13, 2025, Memphis City Council convened during a critical budget hearing to discuss the launch of a new Community Enhancement Division.
This division aims to improve environmental and neighborhood conditions by addressing “blight” or problem property-related issues. Ultimately, these efforts will work toward bettering the quality of life, public health, and safety for Memphians.
TCAP Scores Show Growth, Pre-K Funding, and xAI Tax Dollars | Weekly Policy Update
The Tennessee Department of Education released state and school district-level data for this year’s Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). While the results are not ideal, there are several positives to glean and build upon.
Statewide, the assessment shows growth in proficiency for most grade levels in English Language Arts (ELA), an increase in proficiency for every grade level in math, and two to four percentage point increases in proficiency in science and social studies.
Exciting News: Pre-K For All Passes | Weekly Policy Update
The Memphis City Council passed the third and final reading of the “Pre-K for All” ordinance this week, joining the Shelby County Commission in creating the state’s first ever local, universal pre-kindergarten program.
Additionally, the council advanced a proposal which would add $1.5 million in funding for the first year of implementation of Pre-K for All. This followed an additional $2 million provided by the Shelby County Commission this week for the same purpose. This will bring the total annual local funding for pre-K to approximately $21 million.
Budget Season: Weekly Policy Update
Budget season for Memphis and Shelby County has entered full swing! Mayor Paul Young presented his proposed budget to the Memphis City Council for fiscal year 2026 in April, while Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and Interim Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Rod Richmond presented their respective budgets to the Shelby County Commission last week.