MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On Tuesday March 26, the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) released their 2022-2023 Report Card, showing how different schools and districts are performing across the state.
The report card is updated every year to provide information about performance, including the overall achievement and progress on state tests, English learners’ proficiency, graduation rate, and students’ postsecondary readiness. The report also includes demographics on the school districts, including their racial and ethnic diversity and the percentage of students who come from a low economic background.
“The updated State Report Card shares powerful data about Tennessee’s public schools and districts, and importantly, empowers families and local communities with information to help them best advocate for students and their public schools,” said Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds.
The districts were categorized according to their performance as either "exemplary," "advancing," "satisfactory" or "in need of improvement." Of the districts in Memphis and the immediate suburbs, none were categorized as exemplary or in need of improvement.
Additionally, the districts could get the following different badges for their achievements:
Best for All: given to districts for "significantly" investing federal funding from COVID-19 stimulus money to drive student achievement.
Innovative School Models: for preparing students for success after graduation.
Grow Your Own: for working with Teacher Occupation Apprenticeship programs, as a way to address teacher shortages.
Reading 360: grants given to develop strong phonics-based reading skills.
TN All Corps: using funds to "mitigate learning loss and accelerate student achievement."
Memphis Shelby County Schools
With over 100,000 students enrolled and more than 200 schools, MSCS is Tennessee's largest public school district, and is also among the largest public school districts in the country.
MSCS was designated as "satisfactory" and it received the five badges of recognition; Best for All, Innovative School Models, Grow your own, Reading 360 and TN All Corps.
According to the report, 75% of MSCS students are Black, with the next largest group being Hispanic, which represents 18% of all students. Additionally, 55% of their students were labeled as "economically disadvantaged."
Arlington
With their four schools, Arlington Community Schools (ACS) is prioritizing STEAM Learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) in all grades, and has ranked high in music education.
ACS received one badge of recognition for Innovative School Models and was categorized as "advancing."
According to the report, Arlington is 71% white, with 12% of their students having a disability.
Bartlett
Also designated as "advancing," Bartlett City Schools received three badges, which includes Best For All, Innovative School Models and TN All Corps.
Demographics wise, 54% of their students are white, and 31% of students are Black. 14% of their students have disabilities and 10% come from an economically disadvantaged background, according to the report.
Collierville
With over 9,000 students, Collierville Schools was also designated as "advancing." They received three badges: Innovative School Models, Grow your own and TN All Corps.
Collierville had the highest percentage of Asian students out of all the districts, with 18%, however the majority of students are white (representing 55% of all students), Black students also represented 18%.
Only 2% of students are economically disadvantaged, but 8% of students are learning English as a second language.
Fayette County Public Schools
Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) had a designation of "satisfactory," but only one badge for Innovative School Models.
In the report they describe themselves as successful in athletics and academics for being four-time Tennessee State Champion Academic Pentathlon (junior high) team, for being Tennessee state champion Academic Decathlon with their high school team, as well as their regional champion basketball teams.
41% of their students are economically disadvantaged.
Germantown
With almost 6,000 students, 73% of Germantown Municipal School District students are white and only 4% are considered economically disadvantaged.
They were categorized as "advancing" and received two badges for Innovative School Models and TN All Corps.
Lakeland
Lakeland School System was one of 16 school districts designated as “exemplary” by the Tennessee Department of Education in 2022, and received the designation of "advancing" for this last report. They received one badge for Innovative School Models.
They have a little over 2,000 students, 65% of which are white. Furthermore 9% of their students are learning English and 16% have disabilities.
Millington Municipal Schools
Millington Municipal Schools received an "advancing" and one badge for Innovative School Models.
For demographics, 43% of their students are Black, 16% are Hispanic and 38% are white.
Tipton County
With almost 10,000 students, Tipton County Schools received an "advancing," and three badges: Innovative School Models, Grow Your Own and 360 Reading.
Additional information on schools and districts across the state can be found in the report here.
