Facing state scrutiny, Memphis schools intensify efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism

By , Chalkbeat Tennessee Updated: July 27, 2026 4:00 AM CT | Published: July 27, 2026 4:00 AM CT
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Chalkbeat Tennessee

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

MSCS enrollment has suffered in the past decade. But the district doesn’t just struggle to get students in the door, it also has trouble keeping them in their seats day after day.

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Chalkbeat Tennessee Memphis-Shelby County Schools chronic absenteeism
In partnership with
Chalkbeat Tennessee

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

Bri Hatch

Bri Hatch

Bri Hatch covers Memphis-Shelby County Schools for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Hatch spent the past two years in Baltimore covering all-things education for WYPR, the city’s local NPR station, as a Report for America Corps Member.


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