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Memphis Collaboration Is Poised to Bear Fruit

Memphis kindergarten teacher Margaret Box works with children in her class. A veteran of 36 years in the district, Ms. Box says she was at first skeptical that teachers and district officials could work together in building a teacher-evaluation system, but she has since come to believe in the work.

—Josh Anderson for Education Week

With Tennessee lawmakers poised to impose a new teacher-evaluation system, union officials opted to be 'at the table' rather than 'on the menu'

By Christina A. Samuels

Memphis, Tenn.

Just three years ago, the relationship between the Memphis school district in Tennessee and its teachers' union was fairly typical: The two entities worked together during contract negotiations, and while there were no spectacular disagreements, there weren't any major partnerships, either.

Much has changed since that time.

Now, both sides are working hand in hand on a basketful of initiatives that have shaken up the way the district evaluates, pays, and supports its teaching force. And the district is doing this work while navigating a structural change that will eventually consolidate the city district with the neighboring county...