As a part of the U.S. Department of Education’s (USDOE) effort to recognize achievement gains in turnaround schools, Deborah Delisle, Assistant Secretary of Education, will visit Ford Road Elementary School on Wednesday, September 10, at 8:30 a.m. The visit to Memphis will spotlight the recent successes of schools in local districts.

Ford Road Elementary, one of Shelby County Schools’ premiere turnaround schools, is one of 39 schools in our district recently announced as a Reward School by the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE). These schools represent the top 5 percent of schools in the state for academic achievement or student growth.

Delisle’s visit is in conjunction with the USDOE’s fifth annual back-to-school bus tour. During the visit to Ford Road, she will meet with teachers, school administrators and visit classrooms.

Recent turnaround efforts in SCS are highlighted by the announcement that 15 schools in the District earned their way off the TDOE’s Priority schools’ list due to gains in student achievement, including six of the District’s Innovation Zone schools.

Later that afternoon, Superintendent Hopson will take part in a panel discussion with Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, and other local leaders in education during a Town Hall at Cornerstone Preparatory School at 2:30 p.m.