Written by: JR Robinson

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) board candidate Danielle Huggins is advocating for a diversified portfolio of schools, a strategy that could reshape the educational landscape in District 7 and beyond. This approach, which aims to offer a variety of educational options to students and families, has the potential to address longstanding challenges in the district while opening up new opportunities for academic success.

Understanding the Concept of a Diverse School Portfolio

A diverse school portfolio refers to a range of educational options available within a school district. This can include traditional public schools, charter schools, magnet programs, alternative schools, and specialized academies. The goal is to provide families with choices that best fit their children's needs, interests, and learning styles.

For MSCS, diversifying the school portfolio could mean:

1. Expanding existing successful programs
2. Introducing new educational models
3. Partnering with community organizations to create innovative schools
4. Offering more specialized curricula focused on areas like STEM, arts, or vocational training

Current State of MSCS's School Portfolio

MSCS already has a mix of school types, including traditional public schools, optional schools (similar to magnet programs), and charter schools. However, Huggins argues that there's room for improvement and expansion.

According to MSCS data, the district currently oversees more than 200 school sites, including over 50 charter schools. The recent consideration of adding 10 new charter schools to the district's portfolio indicates an ongoing effort to diversify educational options.

Potential Impact on MSCS Schools

Diversifying the school portfolio could have several significant impacts on MSCS:

1. Increased Student Engagement: By offering a variety of educational approaches, students are more likely to find programs that align with their interests and learning styles, potentially increasing engagement and reducing dropout rates.
2. Improved Academic Performance: Specialized programs can cater to students' strengths and provide targeted support for areas of improvement, potentially leading to better overall academic outcomes.
3. Enhanced Equity: A diverse portfolio can help address educational inequities by providing high-quality options in underserved areas and offering programs that cater to diverse student needs.
4. Increased Enrollment: Attractive, specialized programs could draw students back to the district who may have left for private or suburban schools.
5. Fostering Innovation: A diverse portfolio encourages experimentation with new educational approaches, which can lead to innovative teaching methods and curricula.
6. Community Partnerships: Diversification often involves partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and higher education institutions, strengthening the connection between schools and the broader community.

Why Diversity of Educational Services is Beneficial for Youth

1. Personalized Learning: Every child learns differently. A diverse portfolio of schools allows students to find environments that best suit their learning styles and needs.

2. Preparation for the Future: Specialized programs can help students develop skills and knowledge aligned with future career paths or higher education goals.

3. Fostering Talents and Interests: Schools focused on specific areas like arts, sciences, or vocational skills can help students discover and nurture their talents and passions.

4. Increased Motivation: When students are in educational environments that resonate with their interests, they're often more motivated to learn and succeed.

5. Exposure to Different Perspectives: A diverse school portfolio can bring together students from various backgrounds, fostering cultural understanding and preparing them for a diverse world.

6. Addressing Achievement Gaps: Targeted programs can help address specific learning needs, potentially helping to close achievement gaps for underserved student populations.

Challenges and Considerations

While diversifying the school portfolio offers many potential benefits, it also comes with challenges that Huggins and MSCS would need to address:

1. Resource Allocation: Ensuring equitable distribution of resources across different types of schools can be complex.
2. Transportation: Providing access to diverse school options may require rethinking transportation systems to ensure all students can reach their chosen schools.
3. Maintaining Quality: As the portfolio expands, maintaining high standards across all schools becomes more challenging.
4. Community Concerns: Some community members may worry about the impact on traditional neighborhood schools.
5. Oversight and Accountability: Managing a diverse portfolio requires robust systems for oversight and accountability.

Huggins' Vision for MSCS

Danielle Huggins sees the diversification of MSCS's school portfolio as a key strategy for improving educational outcomes in District 7. Her vision includes:

1. Expanding Successful Programs: Identifying and replicating successful models within the district.
2. Community Partnerships: Collaborating with local businesses, non-profits, and higher education institutions to create specialized programs.
3. Equitable Access: Ensuring that high-quality, diverse educational options are available in all parts of the district, particularly in underserved areas.
4. Teacher Support: Providing professional development to help educators adapt to new educational models and approaches.
5. Data-Driven Decision Making: Using comprehensive data analysis to inform decisions about which programs to expand or introduce.
6. Continuous Evaluation: Implementing robust systems to evaluate the effectiveness of different school models and make adjustments as needed.

Case Studies and Examples

To illustrate the potential impact of a diverse school portfolio, we can look at examples from other districts:

1. Denver Public Schools: Denver has implemented a "portfolio strategy" that includes district-run schools, charter schools, and innovation schools. This approach has been associated with improvements in graduation rates and college enrollment.
2. New Orleans: After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans rebuilt its school system with a diverse portfolio of charter schools. While controversial, this approach has led to significant improvements in test scores and graduation rates.
3. Indianapolis Public Schools: The district has implemented an "innovation network" that includes traditional public schools, charter schools, and hybrid models. This approach has been credited with improving school performance and increasing enrollment.

Next Steps for MSCS

If elected, Huggins would likely advocate for the following steps to diversify MSCS's school portfolio:

1. Comprehensive Needs Assessment: Analyzing current offerings and identifying gaps in the district's educational landscape.
2. Community Engagement: Gathering input from students, parents, teachers, and community members about desired educational options.
3. Strategic Planning: Developing a long-term plan for introducing and expanding diverse school options.
4. Pilot Programs: Starting with small-scale pilot programs to test new educational models before broader implementation.
5. Partnerships: Cultivating relationships with potential partners who can bring expertise and resources to new educational initiatives.
6. Professional Development: Investing in training for teachers and administrators to support new educational models.
7. Evaluation and Adjustment: Implementing systems to continuously evaluate the effectiveness of diverse school options and make necessary adjustments.

Conclusion

Diversifying MSCS's school portfolio is a bold strategy that has the potential to transform education in Memphis. By offering a range of educational options, the district can better meet the diverse needs of its student population, potentially improving academic outcomes, increasing student engagement, and preparing young people for success in an ever-changing world.

However, this approach is not without challenges. It requires careful planning, robust community engagement, and a commitment to equity to ensure that all students benefit from increased educational options. As Danielle Huggins campaigns for a seat on the MSCS board, her vision for a diverse school portfolio offers an exciting possibility for the future of education in District 7 and beyond.

Ultimately, the goal of diversifying the school portfolio is to create an educational ecosystem where every student can find their path to success. By offering a variety of high-quality educational options, MSCS can empower students and families to choose the learning environments that best suit their needs, interests, and aspirations. This approach has the potential not only to improve individual student outcomes but also to strengthen the entire community by producing well-educated, engaged citizens prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.