October 2, 2026
SEAs participated in Session 2 of the SEA Impact Series, focused on Using Data to Maximize Student Impact on October 7.
During the session, SEAs focused on:
- Accessing and navigating student data within i-Ready.
- Understanding literacy domains and student placement data.
- Identifying student strengths and areas of need.
- Using data to determine appropriate instructional supports
- Connecting student needs to targeted tutoring and intervention practices.
Leadership Look-Fors:
- SEAs referencing student data when planning support.
- Targeted support based on identified literacy needs.
- Small-group or tutoring instruction aligned to student data.
- Students receiving differentiated support based on need.
- SEAs monitoring student progress and strengths.
This Month's SEA Commitment: SEAs identified one area of focus:
- Reviewing data before tutoring.
- Identifying student strengths and needs.
- Using data to guide support.
- Monitoring student growth.
Thank you for supporting the implementation of data-informed instruction in your building.
Please feel free to reach out to Heba Sammour at sammourh@scsk12.org if you have any questions.
Specialized Education Assistants (SEAs) are an integral part of student success across MSCS. Each day, they provide meaningful support to teachers and school leaders by working directly with students to improve literacy by reinforcing classroom learning, supporting small-group instruction, and helping ensure that every child receives the support needed to grow and achieve. Their dedication extends the impact of instruction and helps create positive learning experiences for students across our schools.
Professional learning plays a critical role in strengthening the effectiveness of SEAs. By engaging in ongoing training, SEAs continue to build their instructional knowledge, deepen their understanding of district initiatives, and refine the skills needed to support student learning. Investing in their growth ensures they are equipped to make an even greater impact on students, teachers, and school communities.
The initial professional learning was on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
The following reflects participation rates by region:
- Southwest (SW): 66.1%
- Northeast (NE): 65.5%
- Southeast (SE): 61.1%
- iZone/PAS (CSI): 53.1%
- Northwest (NW): 48.1%
The upcoming offerings repeat twice on each of these dates. SEAs can choose the morning or afternoon session.
October 28, 2026
November 10, 2026
January 13, 2027
January 27, 2027
February 10, 2027
February 24, 2027
March 24, 2027
Questions? Please contact Heba Sammour, Early Literacy Manager, or Dr. Amy Maples, Executive Director.
The 2026-27 Kindergarten Report Card Handbook has been updated to provide greater clarity regarding mathematics standards, indicators, and assessment guidance. These refinements support standards-based reporting by clarifying how PowerSchool indicators align to kindergarten math standards and how mastery is determined, including guidance related to summer school recommendations. The updates do not change the kindergarten standards or expectations for students; rather, they strengthen consistency in assessment, progress monitoring, and documentation of student learning. Principals are encouraged to share this information with kindergarten teachers and review the access link and linked recording.
Questions? Please contact Joyce Harrison, ELA Manager, or Dr. Amy Maples, Executive Director.
Please review the important action items related to ILPDs in this week's MTSS Lead Updates.
MSCS needs your assistance in making sure that we have accurate counts for students with ILPDs in TNPulse. MTSS Leads were asked on Monday, October 5, to review all ILPDs for the school using the information below. Office hours were also available and will continue to be as an ongoing support. Please ensure that your MTSS Lead has completed this check and emailed requested information to RTI2@scsk12.org by Friday, October 9, at noon. If not, please ensure that it is received as quickly as possible.
1. Conduct an Advanced Search that includes red, yellow, and green Ds that represent ILPDs and review the ILPDs. Be sure to export the search results.
- Do your students with green Ds have DYS02 and 03 coding in PowerSchool?
- For your students with yellow Ds, do they have DYS02 and 03 coding in PowerSchool, and are they still eligible for an ILPD support? If so, please renew the ILPD.
- For your students with red Ds, is the student still eligible (renew it) or should the ILPD be exited? Take action now for clean reporting as this has been previously communicated. If you cannot exit a plan you need to make note of it so that we can be made aware. In most cases if a plan cannot be exited it is because it originated in 2023 and has been grandfathered in through all of the TDOE updates. In some cases they appear with no D at all but have an ILPD tag. This does not mean that the student has an ILPD, but they have in the past.
- Are there students who are no longer enrolled at your school, but the plan exists under your search results?
2. Following your review email the Advanced Search export and notes on plans that cannot be exited and should not appear under your school. Be sure to include the students' first and last names as well as id numbers.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools is seeking qualified Advanced Placement teachers and supervisors to serve on Schedule F textbook adoption review committees. Selected members will review proposed AP instructional materials and provide course-specific feedback to support District adoption decisions.
Applicants must meet all teacher or supervisor qualifications:
- Currently teach or supervise the grade level, course, or subject area for which appointment is requested.
- Hold a Tennessee teaching license with the appropriate grade-level or subject-matter endorsement.
- Have at least three years of experience as a teacher or supervisor in public schools.
Committee areas:
- AP African American Studies
- AP Human Geography
- AP Comparative Government and Politics
- AP Psychology
- AP European History
- AP United States Government and Politics
- AP Macroeconomics
- AP United States History
- AP Microeconomics
- AP World History
Apply: Complete the corresponding Textbook Adoption Committee Application using the hyperlink added to the Leaderboard post.
For questions, please contact:
James L. Smith, Manager, Advanced Placement, SMITHJL@scsk12.org
Memphis-Shelby County Schools is seeking qualified teachers and supervisors to serve on the Schedule F Social Studies Textbook Adoption Committee. Committee members will review instructional materials and provide professional feedback to support the district's adoption process.
Applicants must meet all teacher or supervisor qualifications:
- Currently teach or supervise the grade level, course, or subject area for which appointment is requested.
- Hold a Tennessee teaching license with the appropriate grade-level or subject-matter endorsement.
- Have at least three years of experience as a teacher or supervisor in public schools.
Committee areas:
- K- 5th Social Studies
- Grade 6th-7th World History and Geography
- Grade 8th U.S. History and Geography
- High School World History and Geography, U.S. History and Geography, Government and Civics, and Economics
Applicants should select only the areas that match their current assignment, licensure or endorsement, and experience. Final committee assignments are based on district needs and local board appointment.
Apply: Complete the corresponding Textbook Adoption Committee Application using the hyperlink added to the Leaderboard post.
For questions, please contact:
Sonya Porter, Humanities Manager -portersb@scsk12.org
Terri L. Stephens, Instructional Advisor, Social Studies, stephenstl@scsk12.org
Jerita J. Powell, Instructional Advisor, Social Studies, powelljj@scsk12.org
Memphis-Shelby County Schools is seeking qualified CCTE teachers and supervisors to serve on the Schedule F Business Management and Administration and Human Services Textbook Adoption Committees. Committee members will review instructional materials and provide pathway-specific feedback to support District adoption decisions.
Applicants must meet all teacher or supervisor qualifications:
- Currently teach or supervise the grade level, course, or subject area for which appointment is requested.
- Hold a Tennessee teaching license with the appropriate grade-level or subject-matter endorsement.
- Have at least three years of experience as a teacher or supervisor in public schools.
Committee areas:
- Business Management and Administration courses, including Business, Marketing, Office Applications, Entrepreneurship, Legal Systems, Economics, and Career Practicum courses
- Human Services courses, including Barbering, Cosmetology, Human Studies, Lifespan Development, Family Studies, Nutrition, and Human Services Practicum Courses
- Applicants should select only the areas that match their current assignment, licensure or endorsement, and experience. Final committee assignments are based on District needs and local board appointment.
Apply: Complete the corresponding Textbook Adoption Committee Application using the hyperlink added to the Leaderboard post.
For questions, please contact:
Lisa D. White, Manager, WHITELD1@scsk12.org
Kimberly Jackson, Manager, JACKSONKD@scsk12.org
Access to the TNPortfolio platform will be available mid-October for eligible educators, including those with active permits.
Once rostered, teachers will receive an email from TeachAll with account access instructions.
A State SSO is required to log in. Contact your Content Advisor or Floresha Smith, District Portfolio Lead, for assistance.
While waiting for access, review:
Questions or concerns? Email eps@scsk12.org.
The Growth Measure "Universal Screener - Universal Screener (KK Teachers - Mandatory)" was inadvertently made available as a selectable option within the Growth & Achievement Measure Form in PLZ. We sincerely apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused.
Please note: This growth measure is not a valid selection for educators completing the Growth & Achievement Measure process. If you previously selected "Universal Screener - Universal Screener (KK Teachers - Mandatory)," you must return to your Growth & Achievement Measure Form and select the appropriate growth measure.
Because this option is tied to an active assessment, it cannot be removed from the selection list at this time. To prevent additional selections, a system notification has been added advising educators not to choose this measure.
To support educators, the Employee Performance & Support team has:
- Reopened the Growth & Achievement Measure activity for affected users.
- Added a system notification advising educators not to select this option.
- Extended the Growth & Achievement Measure selection deadline through October 9, 2026.
Questions or need assistance? Contact Employee Performance & Support at 901-416-2475 or eps@scsk12.org.
The NIE Goal Setting Conference is open in PLZ.
IMPORTANT: NIE Employees will need to select their evaluator first, in order for the evaluator to have access to their NIE plan in PLZ. In addition, the evaluator must be NIE Certified.
View the flyer below for important information, key dates, and resources to help you get started.
Goal Setting Conferences are due by October 23, 2026.
Questions? Contact EPS@scsk12.org
The Fall Student Perception Survey will be administered October 26 – November 6, 2026. The District’s goal is to achieve 95% or more completion among eligible students and teachers. Please work with your Survey Site Coordinator to ensure students have the time, technology, and support needed to complete the survey.
For questions, please contact the Employee Performance and Support Office at 901-416-2475 or eps@scsk12.org, or reach out to LaToya Rogers at rogersld@scsk12.org.
District Learning Day on October 19, 2026, is school-based. Schools should use the sign-in and survey QR codes on the linked flyer during DLD. Please share both codes with teachers and ensure your school requests its DLD course in PLZ.
Upload School-Based Agendas by Friday, October 16, 2026: October 2026 DLD School-Based Agenda Upload
Thank you for supporting a successful day of professional learning!
Leadership Lab | Optimizing Teacher Growth Through Intentional Cycles of Support
🗓️ Date: October 22, 2026 (Redelivery Lab)
👤 Facilitator: Daniel L. Jack, Ed.D. | 🎯 TEAM Alignment: C1. Evaluation & C2. Differentiated PL
- Overview: Shift classroom observation from compliance to a high-impact growth engine. Master a data-driven framework designed to optimize educator capacity through evidence-based feedback loops and a tiered coaching system that balances accountability with trust.
- Key Outcome: Build a data-driven observation framework, implement a tiered coaching matrix tailored to teacher performance data, and analyze macro-level observation trends aligned with school goals.
- Implementation Plan:
- Presentation & Modeling: Explore the Practitioner Cycle and model macro-level observation trend analysis to set differentiated coaching protocols.
- Practice & Action: Analyze sample classroom evidence to construct prioritized feedback action steps, audit building observation practices, and roll out a differentiated coaching matrix.
📲 Registration & Logistics: Secure your seat. Log in to PLZ #92866 to secure your registration today!
Location: TLA Room W115
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
The Digital Citizenship participation window is September 28 – October 28, 2026, with a District goal of 93% student completion.
Please ensure time is allotted for students in grades K-12 to complete all assigned Canvas modules and monitor your school’s progress toward the goal. See the linked flyer for implementation guidance and completion-monitoring resources.
Flyer: MSCS Digital Citizenship 2026
Thank you for supporting safe, responsible digital learning!
Office of Multilingual Learners/English as a Second Language (ESL)
Use of ESL Staff for Substitute Coverage
To maintain compliance with state and federal requirements, ESL teachers should not be utilized for substitute coverage.
Schools are responsible for scheduling ESL teachers and English Learners appropriately to ensure that all required daily service hours are provided. ESL teacher positions are funded to deliver direct explicit ESL instruction, create and maintain Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) and monitoring forms, and collaborate with content teachers. ESL staff should not be assigned to cover general education, content-area, or proximity courses during times they are scheduled to provide ESL services.
ESL Screening and Parent Notification Requirements
Per TDOE Rule 0520-01-19 and Program Policy 3.207, after the start of the school year, newly enrolled NELB students must be screened with 14 days of enrollment. Please contact your ESL advisor if you need support with this process.
ESL Course Code Assignments
Please ensure that all ESL students are correctly assigned an ESL and/or ELD course code in PowerSchool. Accurate course coding is required for compliance, as it provides evidence of the delivery model the ESL teacher is implementing. Additionally, assigning the correct course codes also allows teachers to receive monitoring forms in compliance with the TDOE.
Co-Teaching and Sheltered ESL services require an ESL course code in addition to the content course code. Reference the course code documents linked below to find the specific co-teaching ESL codes by grade level. For scheduling support, contact your assigned ESL advisor.
K-5 ESL Course Codes 6-8 ESL Course Codes 9-12 ESL Course Codes
Q1 Retention Prevention and Early Intervention
As first-quarter grades are finalized, schools should review the academic progress of English Learners who may be at risk for retention, course failure, or credit deficiency. Early identification and intervention are critical to ensuring students receive the support needed to be successful.
For all English Learners assigned a failing grade in Quarter 1, schools are expected to do the following:
- Ensure the Monitoring Forms are filled out in Ellevation to adequately address concerns with Els' academic performance.
- Upload documentation and work samples demonstrating interventions and supports provided to the student
- Document parent/guardian contact regarding the student's academic progress and risk of failure
- Parent communication must occur in a language and manner the parent can understand and should include information about available supports and intervention opportunities. Make sure this documentation is uploaded to Ellevation.
- For secondary students, identify students who may require additional support or credit recovery options.
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities & Key Dates
In-Person PDs are offered at the Office of Multilingual Learners (OML) unless otherwise indicated: 5151 Scottsdale Ave., Memphis, TN 38118
- Oct. 21: Instructional Strategies for Dually Identified Students - Session 1
- Hours toward Fall Flex Day: SPED/ESL: Foundations for Inclusive Instruction – PLZ # 50172
- Self-Paced and in-person Co-Teaching Training is available to schools upon request. Contact your assigned ESL advisor to learn how to provide these trainings to your staff.
From Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett: Sign up today for the Tennessee Student Mock Election. The mock election is a non-partisan, educational experience that gives Tennessee students a chance to learn how elected officials are selected. All Tennessee students are welcome to participate.
1) Sign up your school online
2) Review our civics lesson plans and resources
Topics: Citizenship, Roles of Elected Officials, Campaigning, the Voting Process, State & Local Government, The Constitution, and Colonial Government
3) Gather resources provided by our office
Each participating school will be provided the following resources:
- A PDF of a mock ballot that can be printed (which is available for download).
- "I Voted" stickers (which will be sent via mail).
- A Student Mock Election "I Voted" sign (which is available to download).
4) Conduct your mock election
The Secretary of State’s office will provide printable mock election ballots. However, schools may conduct their mock election in whatever manner works best for their students.
5) Report your school's results
Results can be reported beginning on October 14, 2026, and must be submitted by October 28, 2026. Instructions for reporting will be provided to each school’s designated contact via email.
We’re encouraging all elementary and middle schools to host a school-level Spelling Bee and give students the chance to showcase their spelling skills and confidence on stage.
This year’s MSCS Spelling Bee will highlight our spectacular spellers in grades 3-8. But first, they’ll need to win your school’s spelling bee by Friday, December 11, 2026. Now is the time to identify your Spelling Bee Coordinator and plan for e-x-c-e-l-l-e-n-c-e.
If you have questions about how to get started, sign up here: Spelling Bee Intent to Participate 2026-27 – Fill out form and join us for a virtual meeting on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
For more information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee, visit spellingbee.com/enrollment to learn more and register your school. Participation in the Scripps Bee is NOT required for participation in the MSCS Spelling Bee.
Thank you for all you do to create meaningful learning opportunities for our students and for helping them build confidence through friendly academic competition!
Should you have any questions, please contact Dr. Erin Y. Luster <lusterey@scsk12.org>.
As the next phase in our Voter Engagement Commitment, we will be arranging bus transportation for eligible students to Ride to the Polls during Early Voting. Please use the form linked below to confirm your interest in participating for participation in Early Voting during the early voting period (Wednesday, October 14 — Thursday, October 29, 2026). We will work with your school to select the date.
Link to MSCS Ride to the Polls Form: MSCS Ride to the Polls Field Trip (2026) – Fill out form
In order to participate in this field trip, students must:
Be registered to vote in Shelby County, Tennessee, by October 5, 2026.
For more information on verifying voter registration, visit https://web.go-vote-tn.elections.tn.gov/.
To Search By Voter, you will need:
- First Name (required)
- Last Name (required)
- ZIP Code OR Birth Month and Birth Year
Be 18 years old on the day they vote. For example, if a student turns 18 years old on November 3, they would be eligible to vote on Election Day, but they would not be eligible to vote during Early Voting. Please refer to the previously shared school lists of students turning 18 by Election Day and/or download the Basic Student Info Report from PowerSchool.
Have an acceptable ID.
For more information on Voter ID requirements, visit https://sos.tn.gov/elections/voter-id-requirements
- Understand what IDs are acceptable
- Any of the following IDs may be used, even if expired:
- Tennessee driver license with your photo
- U.S. Passport
- Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
- U.S. Military photo ID
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Erin Y. Luster <lusterey@scsk12.org>.