Organization to host public forums to engage community, generate parent feedback

 
Memphis, TN – Stand for Children and the Memphis Urban League are partnering with the Tennessee Department of Education to help transform schools that are included within the Achievement School District (ASD)– a statewide initiative to improve the lowest performing schools through reform efforts that are designed to increase student performance.  
 
The organizations will co-host a series of public forums to engage parents and community members in playing an active role in shaping the future direction that government leaders will take to help students in failing schools meet current academic standards.
 
This week, Memphis Stand for Children and Memphis Urban League will hold three forums to educate residents on the purpose of the Tennessee Achievement School District and explain how the new governance model will impact local students and educators.  The first public forum will be held on Tuesday, October 4th at 6:00p.m. at Hamilton High School – one of the four schools in the Greater Memphis area that is now being co-managed with the state of Tennessee and Memphis City Schools.  
 
School officials and state representatives will be present at each of the forums to provide an overview on ASD and attendees will be given opportunities to learn more about planned changes, voice their concerns, and determine how they can help to achieve progress.  
 
“Our goal is to empower parents and residents to become leaders in the transformation of our public education system,” said Kenya Bradshaw, State Director of Tennessee Stand for Children.
 
“The Achievement School District is a critical component of the state’s plan to help turnaround the worst performing schools in our community by providing additional support for students to succeed,” said Tomeka Hart, President & CEO of the Memphis Urban League. “Memphis Urban League is proud to partner in this endeavor to ensure that our community’s voice is heard in the process.”
 
Tonight’s forum is one of three that are set to take place this week at ASD schools.  Subsequent forums will be held on Wednesday, October 5th at Northside High School and Thursday, October 6th at Raleigh Egypt Middle School from 6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. 

For more information, contact Mark Sturgis, Memphis Stand for Children Organizer at 901-336-8696 or via email msturgis@stand.org.