SCS General Information
Shelby County Schools Technology Plan
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Located in the extreme southwest corner of the state, the Shelby County school district is the fourth largest school system in Tennessee with a population of over 45,000 students. Our district includes all the public schools in the county outside the corporate limits of the city of Memphis, including those schools located within the six (6) incorporated towns of Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland and Millington.
The system is administered by a seven member Board of Education who reside within seven special election districts located within the Shelby County school district. Prior to 1998, school board members were appointed by the County Commission. In the fall of 1998, school board members were elected to 4-year terms in the odd-numbered districts and 2-year terms in the even-numbered districts. Future elections will be for 4-year terms. The superintendent is employed by the Board of Education and serves as secretary to the Board. Regular meetings of the Board are held on the last Thursday of each month. When any regular meeting date falls on a legal holiday or during a holiday season, the meeting will be rescheduled by the chairman. Tennessee law makes no specific provisions for the participation of the public in the meetings of the local boards of education; however, Tennessee law does require that every meeting of the Board, other than meeting with the attorney to discuss pending or threatened litigation, will be open to the public and press.
A community school concept is followed as closely as possible in the assignment of students to schools. However, rapid growth in Shelby County, annexation by the city, and federal court orders have a definite influence on the location of schools. Growth rates in Shelby County are currently the highest in the state creating an increase in student population averaging 1,000 students each year. Grade structure may vary due to growth in certain school areas and construction of new facilities; however, the primary design is elementary, middle and high school. High schools have grades nine through twelve. All schools are air-conditioned and constructed to provide a variety of instructional services and programs. The parent may contact the school or assistant superintendent of instruction to request a listing of available services or to determine their child's eligibility for services in specific programs. All facilities are inspected periodically by personnel from the Shelby County Health Department, the Shelby County Occupational Safety and Health Department, the Shelby County Building Department, and representatives from the State Fire Marshall's office.
Our schools meet or exceed the standards set by the Tennessee State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Twenty-nine years ago Shelby County Schools (SCS) was the first Tennessee school system accredited in its entirety by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). This pioneering accreditation spirit continues today with the recent acceptance of SCS by SACS as one of the first systems to begin the SACS CASI District Accreditation process. This new accreditation format is only available to systems with a history of demonstrating successful implementation of the SACS process which includes a commitment to standards, support for school improvement, providing direction, meeting standards, and engaging in continuous improvement and demonstrating quality assurance. In order to maintain accreditation the school system hosts regular visits by professional peers representing SACS to assure systemwide quality. An integral component of the SACS and state requirements are comprehensive self-evaluative school improvement plans which are in place for each school and are updated regularly.
Our system has made an extensive commitment to quality instruction. We proudly celebrate the numerous awards and accomplishments of our students and staff, who are recognized each year for excellence in academic, athletic, and service endeavors on local, state and national levels. Money Magazine has recognized Shelby County Schools as one of the "Top 100 Schools Systems" in the United States. For nine consecutive years our system has been honored by School Match Inc. with the "What Parents Want Award." Vital to the success of our students and our system is the continuous support of parents and the PTA associations throughout the county. The Shelby County Council and the local member units of the PTA win numerous awards each year for the integral part they play in the success of our children. Shelby County Schools PTA has the largest membership in Tennessee.
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Mission
The mission of Shelby County Schools is to produce citizens of high moral character who are enlightened, informed, caring, and committed to justice, who are prepared with competencies, attitudes, and the emotional health to be productive members in an ever increasingly technological society, and who are skilled in the abilities to communicate, to reason, to solve problems, and to continue their learning.
Philosophy
In striving to provide optimum educational opportunities for every student, the Shelby County Schools system believes that each student is a unique person with dignity and worth. We utilize success-oriented learning experiences to maximize intellectual, social, emotional, physical, aesthetic, and moral growth.
Each school will be sensitive and responsive to community needs which affect education. Therefore, each school's professional staff, with assistance from the community and systemwide resources, has the responsibility to develop a stable, individually appropriate curriculum emphasizing proficiency in the basic skills as well as experiences that contribute to a comprehensive, practical education.
Since learning is a continuous process and the school an integral part of the total community, we are dedicated to the development of an individual who will become a valuable, contributing member of society.
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The system's objectives shall be as follows:
- To create an atmosphere in which students may discover themselves as persons of dignity and will be able to maintain positive self-images;
- To evaluate, determine, and provide for the needs that affect the education of every student;
- To provide a safe environment which protects and encourages the student to use principles of safety and good health;
- To utilize teaching techniques which promote student success;
- To develop a proficiency in the basic reading, writing, listening, speaking and computational skills, and the ability to apply them effectively in communication and problem-solving;
- To provide various opportunities that motivate the students to develop their intellectual potential;
- To provide opportunities which develop well-adjusted individuals with the highest principles of good character;
- To help develop an understanding of the function, needs, and care of the human body and provide activities to develop physical potential;
- To encourage an appreciation of cultural and aesthetic values;
- To provide opportunities for parents, students, and the professional staff to work cooperatively for better communication between school and community;
- To provide a total school program flexible enough to meet individual needs and stable enough to provide a sense of security; and
- To encourage continual growth that produces informed, responsible citizens who contribute to the society and learn to profit from all experiences within the environment.
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Students eligible to attend Shelby County Schools:
Residence: Pupils are required to attend school between the ages of six (6) and seventeen (17),
both inclusive, unless withdrawn in accordance with legal requirements. (T.C.A.§49-6-3001). Educational services will be provided for homeless students in accordance with local, state and federal guidelines (NCLB).
NOTE: Homeless children are defined in NCLB as an individual who lacks fixed, regular and adequate residence or has a primary residence in a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter for temporary accommodations, a public or private place not designated for use as a regular sleeping accommodations for humans. For further information please contact the Homeless Liaison, Katie Stanton, Director of Student Services, at 321-2627.
Federal Court orders prohibit the enrollment of any child in Shelby County Schools unless they are living with a parent/legal guardian who resides in the area served by the Shelby County school system. Proof of official residence will be required at registration and will be checked randomly as well as when there is a reasonable question regarding the location of the current residence.
Proof of Residence: The parent/guardian of every student will be required to provide 2 of the following items showing the parent/guardian's name and address, to prove residency: Sale Contract (contingency agreements not accepted), Real Estate Tax receipt, Mortgage information, Current Memphis Light Gas and Water bill or turn on receipt, Rental Contract, or Military Letter of Assignment.
Custody Issues: Only the residence of the parent with legal custody may be used for the registration.(T.C.A.§49-6-3103) In cases where parents have joint custody, only the address of the parent with physical custody of the student or named as the primary custodian or designated primary responsibility to determine educational issues may be used for registration. The parent whose residence qualifies the child to be registered is the parent the school personnel will consider as the custodial parent. The non-custodial parent may receive school records when a written request is given to the school principal in compliance with T.C.A.§49-6-902 or T.C.A.§36-6-104.
Power of Attorney for Childcare (Procedure 6103) (T.C.A. 34-8-302)
Parents of a minor child may delegate to any adult person residing in this state temporary care giving authority when hardship prevents the parent(s) from caring for the child.
Hardships identified are:
- The serious illness or incarceration of a parent or legal guardian;
- The physical or mental condition of the parent or legal guardian is such that care and supervision cannot be provided;
- The loss or uninhabitability of the child's home as the result of a natural disaster.
When one of the above hardships is applicable, the custodial parent(s) and the caregiver must make an appointment to meet with Student Services Personnel in order to complete the application for Power of Attorney. If this is not possible, the Director of Student Services must be contacted.
Hardships not listed above should be referred to Juvenile Court to change the custody.
Immunization: All students must have a current Permanent/Temporary Certificate of Immunization or a Tennessee Child Health Record to attend public schools in Tennessee. Forms may be obtained from any health care professional. Students transferring from an out-of-state or non-public school in Tennessee have thirty (30) calendar days after enrollment to provide this certificate. The immunization certificate should be sent with a student's records when the student is transferring from a Tennessee public school. If any corrections or additions need to be made on the certificate after it arrives, the parents have ten (10) school days to update the records.
NOTE: Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, all students will be required to have two (2) doses of MMR.
All kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 7th grade, 8th grade 9th grade students will be required to have three (3) Hepatitis B shots for the 2004-2005 school year.
Waiver of Immunization Requirements
State law (T.C.A.§49-6-5001) provides waiver of immunization requirements under the following conditions.
- Absent epidemic or threat of epidemic, parents may object in writing, when immunization conflicts with the teachings and practice of a well recognized religious denomination to which the parents adhere. However, if an epidemic or threat of epidemic occurs, objections on the behalf of religious teaching are invalid.
- Certificate in writing from a physician stating that such immunization would be harmful to the child involved is provided to the school for the students permanent file.
Enrollment of Kindergarten Students
Students enrolling in kindergarten who have not previously enrolled in any school will furnish the following:
- Certified birth certificate (other evidence of age is acceptable only if the certificate is not available, such as a foreign born student, and only if approved by the Department of Student Services.)
- A Tennessee Child Health Record* signed by a physician indicating proof of the following:
- 4 doses of DPT -DTaP-DT-DTP/Hib-Td, one of which was given on or after the fourth birthday. If age seven or older three doses are required.
- 4 doses of Polio (OPV/IPV) If the 3rd dose was given on or after the fourth birthday, the 4th dose is not required. However, if a combination of IPV/OPV (2IPV/2OPV) is used all 4 doses are needed regardless of age.
- 2 doses of MMR with 1 dose being given after the first birthday.
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B.
- The varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or proof of having had the disease.
- Proof of a medical examination within the past 6 months (Policy 6101).
*Equivalent forms for immunization records will not be accepted.
- Social Security Number
Parents are encouraged to enroll students who are of legal age in kindergarten at the beginning of the school year. Students not enrolled previously in kindergarten will not be enrolled after the first thirty (30) days of the school year (T.C.A.§49-6-3001). Students who have been enrolled in an approved kindergarten will be accepted for enrollment throughout the school year. (Policy 6102.1)
Students entering school for the first time who have not met the requirements of the preceding requirements (numbers 1, and 2) shall not be permitted to enroll. Principals shall notify the Department of Student Services for assistance in meeting the requirements 1 - 3.
A Temporary Tennessee Certificate of Immunization may be submitted, if the physical examination has been completed and immunizations have been started. The student may attend school as long as the immunizations are completed according to schedule.
Age Requirements (Policy 6102)
A child entering kindergarten must be five years of age on or before September 30, 2004 or was legally enrolled in an approved kindergarten program in another state and will be five years old on or before December 31, 2004. A child entering first grade must be six years of age on or before September 30, 2004 and has completed an approved kindergarten program; or was enrolled in an approved first grade program in another state and will be six on or before December 31, 2004.
Students Beyond Compulsory Attendance Age (Policy 6106)
After reaching the age of eighteen (18), students shall not be permitted to enroll after the first 20-day attendance period of each semester. An exception will be made if the student can show proof of attendance in another school system during the first 20-day period or if a doctor's certificate states that illness has prevented enrollment during the first 20-day period. Students certified as disabled are exempt from this policy. Students may be dropped from the rolls after three (3) consecutive unexcused absences or five total unexcused absences from class or school.
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The Shelby County School District offers a comprehensive instructional program for over 45,000 students enrolled in grades K-12.
All elementary schools provide curriculums that emphasize the development of basic skills and make provisions for development beyond the basics through appropriate classroom and enrichment activities. Creative thinking and problem solving strategies are interwoven across the curriculum. Full day kindergarten programs and special services for remedial and academically gifted students are available.
Each high school provides students with academic and vocational course offerings designed to prepare them for post-secondary education and/or employment. Although heavy emphasis is placed upon providing an education built upon the core curriculum in English, math, science, foreign languages, and fine arts, numerous alternative academics and vocational elective courses are offered.
The Advanced Placement Program of The College Board is also offered in each high school. Through success in A.P. Classes, Shelby County high school students earn college credit for secondary school courses. Students from Shelby County high schools are selected annually as National Merit Scholar Finalists, Semi-finalists, and Commended Students.
From the foundation laid at the elementary level through the basic level courses and the wide range of Advanced Placement courses offered in the high schools, the Shelby County School District meets the academic needs of today's students.
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Graduation Requirements for Students Who Entered Grade Nine Before 2001-2002 and still remain in school
Any student who graduates with a regular diploma from a public school in Tennessee must:
- have passed both parts of the Tennessee Competency Test or passed the Gateway Language Arts Test and/or the Gateway Mathematics Test as needed.
- before graduation, every student shall have the opportunity to take an exit exam as adopted by the State Board of Education.
- earn the required number of credits.
Diplomas will not be issued to Shelby County School students who have not met these requirements. Special Education students may earn a regular diploma based on the IEP team's recommendation, by passing the TCAP competency test by age 22 , and fulfilling the requirement of the IEP.
Graduation Requirements For Students Who entered Grade Nine in 2001-2002 and Thereafter
Any student who graduates with a regular diploma from a public school in Tennessee must:
- pass all three Gateway Test (one in English ll, one in Algebra l, and one in Biology l).
- before graduation, every student shall have the opportunity to take an exit exam as adopted by the State Board of Education.
- earn the number of credits as indicated below. (Note that Biology l has been added as a required science.)
Diplomas will not be issued to Shelby County School students who have not met these requirements. Special Education students may earn a regular diploma based on the IEP team's recommendation, by passing the three Gateway tests, and fulfilling the requirements of the IEP.
University Path
The following 20 units shall be required for graduation:
Technical Path
The following 20 units shall be required for graduation:
Combined Path
The following 21 units shall be required for graduation for students who choose BOTH THE
UNIVERSITY PATH AND THE TECHNICAL PATH:
***Any student who enters grade nine in 2001-2002 and thereafter must include Biology l as one of the three required science units.
Participation in Commencement Exercises(Policy 6308)
Only students who have met all state requirements and mandates for a high school regular diploma or special education diploma by graduation date, will be allowed to participate in commencement exercises. A student's behavior must be acceptable to the school principal in order for the student to participate in the school graduation ceremonies.
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