Photo Gallery | Governor Haslam visits elementary school in Frayser

Students at Corning Achievement Elementary School in Frayser had a chance to meet their governor Thursday.

Governor Bill Haslam toured the school to check improvements since it was taken over by the Achievement School District.

The governor said he likes what he's seeing, and that kindergarten students are learning to read earlier.

Plus, he said school leaders are getting the chance to make more decisions for their students.

"A lot of it is about giving more autonomy. Letting principals in school buildings and teachers in classrooms make decisions. They have a lot better sense of how to do that than we do on capital hill," said Haslam.

The Achievement School District has more than 2,000 students at six campuses in Memphis and Nashville.

Within years it's expected to grow to 35 campuses across the state.