Fostering Belonging at School through the Arts | Weekly Policy Update
Increased civic engagement, greater social tolerance, and other social and emotional learning skills are just a few benefits of arts education.
Data from our local community schools partnership with New Ballet shows a significant increase in students who feel a sense of belonging in school since the program’s inception.
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.
Big Week of MSCS News | Weekly Policy Update
Routine testing in Memphis-Shelby County schools uncovered lead levels above state standards in 24 district schools, mostly in kitchen sinks. Additionally, auditors from a national accounting firm arrived in Memphis last week for a state-funded audit of MSCS spanning back to 2021.
Also covered in this update: A new MSCS committee to discuss facility maintenance, news on former Superintendent Marie Feagins’ lawsuit, and the county commission’s resolution to move school board elections.
ESEA Waivers on the Horizon | Weekly Policy Update
The U.S. Department of Education recently sent a letter to all heads of state education departments encouraging them to seek waivers from “burdensome statutory and regulatory provisions” under federal law. States that apply for waivers could receive a federal block grant and decide how to spend this money.
In this update, we lay out how Tennessee could use a waiver to accelerate its cradle-to-career transformation. If our state can create an accountable system that improves outcomes for children and families without leaving anyone behind, we could become a national model for economic mobility.