Welcome to Memphis

Home of the blues, barbecue, and the rebirth of education. From student creativity programs to pioneering teacher initiatives, everywhere you look, Memphis is at the forefront of educational reform. 

Ground Zero in Urban Education Reform

With 105,000+ students, Memphis City School is one of the largest urban public school districts in the country. Facing the pressures to improve achievement and efficiency that confront inner-city districts across America, Memphis' progressive school board sought out a new reform-focussed superintendent in 2008.

After an exhaustive search, the board selected Miami-Dade County (Fla.) Public Schools'  chief of accountability and systemwide performance, Dr. Kriner Cash, for the important job.

In a year, MCS realized achievement gains in elementary, middle, and high school math, 10th grade English and 11th grade writing assessments. The district also increased Advanced Placement and dual high-school and college enrollment, strengthened family and community partnerships, launched city-wide Exhibitions of Student Work, established several new regional school health clinics, and significantly improved school safety.

Unprecedented Implementation

The system has become a national model for successful implementation of a vast reform agenda.

A comprehensive plan. An unmatched union partnership. An alliance with state government that led to legislation that made a massive Teacher Effectiveness Initiative possible. Few districts in the nation have come so far so smoothly in the implementation of their agendas.

This success was recognized by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2009 with a commitment of $90 million in support of the innovations. And the work was instrumental in Tennessee's pioneering win of Department of Education "Race to the Top" funds.

The National Urban Education Center is the logical home for a destination for educational innovators across the country who want to learn about effective transformation.