What We Are Learning

July 21, 2018

Metro Nashville School Board District Profiles: Good data empowers parents, advocates and local leaders

Even while a lot of media and attention is paid to state and Federal races this election season, public engagement in local school board elections is just as important. School board members have a major impact on education in Nashville, and this election will set the direction for Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) and the 85,000+ students it serves. On August 2, along with the statewide...
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June 20, 2018

Nashville Newcomers Academy: Supporting Newcomer Students so They Can Succeed in School and Life

Almost 19 percent of Metro Nashville Public Schools’ student population qualifies as English Language Learners (ELLs). This means MNPS alone serves one-third of the states’ students who are learning English. With the right support, and intensive focus on their unique needs, these newcomer students can not only integrate socially— but also succeed in school and life. So in 2016, the Foundation...
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June 18, 2018

Nashville’s Urgent Early Literacy Challenge

There are a lot of exciting things about Nashville today. The construction cranes and new hotels, office buildings and apartments dotting our skyline offer a real time, visual reminder of our progress. During our first Nashville Education Discover Series, David Mansouri of SCORE talked with Ron Fairchild of the Campaign for Grade Level Reading and Metro Nashville Schools Director Shawn Joseph...
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June 14, 2018

Empowering Parents as Partners in their Child’s Education

Parents are key to a child’s academic success— they are their first teacher, advocate, coach and more. If a parent is unable to navigate the school system or build strong relationships with teachers, the student isn’t able to benefit from an effective partnership between home and school. Empowering all parents, regardless of background or income level, to partner in their children’s...
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June 14, 2018

Lipscomb University School Leadership Program: Preparing Future Principals to Lead High-Quality Schools

Just like any business or organization, high-quality schools need effective leaders. Yet each year, the State of Tennessee faces the challenge of filling roughly 270 school leader positions. That means 15 percent of school leadership positions turn over annually. To help our schools, teachers, and students succeed, our state must recruit and retain more quality leaders. That’s why The...
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