Public charter schools continue to find an easier path in Memphis than Nashville

Last week’s Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education meeting provided yet another example of how differently the state’s two largest school districts choose to work with their public charter schools.MSCS school board members unanimously rejected a proposal to shut down four public charter schools that have been designated as Priority Schools.  Arrow Academy of Excellence, Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill Middle School, KIPP Memphis Academy Middle, and KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle all made the Priority Schools List for the first time this year.Priority Schools either have a low graduation rate or a low performance on state testing relative to other schools in the state. School districts have the option of revoking the charters of these schools following their initial designation, but no MSCS school board member voted to do so.The vote stands in sharp contrast to the reception public charter schools, proposed and existing, have found with the Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education.Last January school board members decided not to renew the district’s charter with Knowledge Academy Middle School and then rejected a proposal from the charter operator to consolidate its three charter schools into one.  Board members later accepted that proposal reluctantly after Knowledge Academies appealed to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission.More recently board members in Nashville have seen decisions to reject three proposed public charter schools overturned by the state commission, including two proposed KIPP Nashville schools.

Memphis Vote Charts a New Path

In Memphis, school board members not only voted unanimously in support of the four public charter schools on the Priority List Tuesday night, they made that vote without any discussion of revoking any charters.Following the vote, KIPP Memphis Public Schools praised the move and what it means for the charter network’s plans to create a strong foundation for students and implement curriculum like STEM and AVID.“We are grateful for the unanimous decision by Memphis-Shelby County Schools board to allow KIPP Memphis Academy Middle and KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle Schools to continue serving families in the Mid-South. Under our CEO Dr. Antonio Burt’s leadership, our schools have highly effective leaders and staff invested in high quality instructional materials, learning enrichment opportunities, and maintaining a strong school culture and climate in communities considered economically disadvantaged. We are proud of the progress we’re making across our region,” said Director of Communications Teresa Todd. “We are confident that together with families, KIPP Memphis teachers and staff will be able to help scholars create a successful path to college, career and beyond.”