MSCS Ranked an Advancing District in State’s Accountability Report, Boasting 61 Reward Schools

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) is trending up – moving from an accountability rating in the bottom 5% to the top 25% of districts in the state, according to the Tennessee Department of Education’s 2022 accountability results.

Based on our performance, MSCS has been designated as an ADVANCING district, one step away from the top category.

“Memphis-Shelby County Schools students are making gains. I see it. We know it, and now, again, the state is recognizing it,” said Interim Superintendent and CFO Tutonial “Toni” Williams. “Our hard work is paying off in a major way. We’re encouraged but not satisfied! And the best part is we’re not done yet.”

What is the Accountability Model?

The state’s accountability model is built on multiple indicators that make districts and schools successful. These indicators include graduation rates, state test scores, student growth data, English language learner performance, chronic absenteeism, and college and career readiness.

MSCS showed growth in nearly every metric used by the state, with four schools receiving perfect scores:

Hickory Ridge Elementary
J.P. Freeman School
Springdale Elementary
City University School Girls Prep

What are Reward schools?

Additionally, 61 MSCS schools, including 13 charter schools, earned the designation of Reward schools, nearly doubling our previous record. Reward schools are schools with improving overall student academic achievement and growth for all student groups. The Reward designation is the highest honor schools can earn when evaluated via the state’s accountability model. Please see our FAQ below for a list of our Reward schools.

While we celebrate our Reward schools, we also acknowledge that we have 36 Priority schools, including 7 charter schools. These are schools most in need of support and improvement. For these schools, we will incentivize attendance, provide extra coaching for school leaders, review data regularly to provide targeted supports for striving students, and help families understand and track their child’s performance.

In mid-August, the state named Memphis-Shelby County Schools a Level 5 district, the highest distinction available based on TVAAS composite scores which measure student growth.

For more information on the state’s accountability ratings, click here.