Tennessee Education Department Reveals Annual School Performance Report: Concerns for Underperforming Districts Amidst Financial Investments

Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee Department of Education Releases Annual School Performance Report

In a significant update last week, the Tennessee Department of Education published its annual assessment of school performance across the state, identifying both the highest and lowest performing school districts. The report highlights the ten districts that fell into the lowest 5% for the 2023-2024 academic year, signaling a pressing concern for education officials.

The ten lowest-ranked districts are:

• Decatur County Schools
• Hancock County Schools
• Hardeman County Schools
• Humboldt City Schools
• Johnson County Schools
• Lawrence County Schools
• Lewis County Schools
• Perry County Schools
• Sequatchie County Schools
• Tennessee Schools for the Deaf

The districts listed received an “in need of improvement” status, indicating serious challenges in educational outcomes. Among these, only Humboldt Junior & Senior High School in Humboldt City is included on the Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI) list, often termed “Priority Schools.” Schools are placed on this list due to poor performance or low graduation rates.

Persistent Underperformance in Memphis and Nashville

Notably, more than half of the schools flagged are during in the Memphis-Shelby County Schools District and the Metro-Nashville Public Schools District. Eighteen schools have not met any exit criteria for three consecutive years, reflecting ongoing struggles in these areas. The list includes:

• Alcy Elementary School
• Chickasaw Middle School
• Frayser-Corning Elementary School
• Hamilton School
• Hanley K8
• Kingsbury Middle School
• Larose Elementary School
• Sheffield High School
• Woodstock Middle School

Additionally, Martin Luther King Preparatory High School, which had been part of the Achievement School District, closed after ten years of poor performance. The recent dismissal of a state director running the ASD has prompted significant discussions among lawmakers, focusing on the effectiveness of existing educational strategies.

Financial Investments and Educational Outcomes

Despite the state investing over $1 billion in attempts to improve educational achievements in struggling districts, particularly in Memphis, results show a lack of substantial progress. The continued presence of underperforming schools raises questions about the investment strategies and potential reforms needed to bolster academic performance.

Recognizing Success: Exemplary Districts

On a more positive note, the report also highlighted the top-performing districts, achieving an “exemplary” status. The following districts have been recognized:

• Alcoa City Schools
• Arlington Community Schools
• Bells City Schools
• Clinton City Schools
• Collierville Schools
• Dayton City Schools
• Jackson County Schools
• Lebanon Special School District
• Milan Special School District
• Van Buren County Schools

To qualify for this status, districts were required to secure an overall performance score of at least 3.1 out of 4. The report also identified schools across Tennessee that excelled, reiterating the importance of recognizing academic success amidst widespread challenges.

As the state approaches the new school year, the release of this performance data may influence administrative decisions, policy-making, and community engagement efforts aimed at improving educational outcomes for Tennessee students.