Analysis of Tennessee’s Testing Data Finds Public Charter School Students Improving in Math and English

State EducationNashvilleMemphisKnoxville
Written By Sky Arnold

Charter school students returning to classes earlier this month (Photo by the Tennessee Charter School Center)

An analysis of recently released Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) math and English language arts (ELA) results by the Tennessee Charter School Center found positive news for public charter school students. 

Elizabeth Fiveash (Photo by the Tennessee Charter School Center)

Statewide, three percent more charter students tested proficient in math on the TCAP than last year, according to the analysis. Charter student proficiency in ELA also grew by a single percentage point.

The growth was even more impactful for charter students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and students in Shelby and Knox County. According to the analysis, economically disadvantaged students posted a five percentage-point increase in math proficiency and a two percent increase in ELA. Students attending charters in the Memphis-Shelby County School district saw a five percent growth in math proficiency, while those in Knox County Schools achieved a four percent growth.

“These results underscore the dedication and hard work of Tennessee’s charter school leaders, teachers, students, and families. The progress we’re seeing demonstrates what is possible when passionate and creative school leaders are given the autonomy to meet students’ needs,” said Tennessee Charter School Center Elizabeth Fiveash in a statement to the Tennessee Firefly.

Charter schools are free public schools operated by non-profit organizations under a “charter” with a school district or the state.

Outperforming Their Peers in Nashville and Memphis

The Charter Center’s analysis also found charter students in the state’s two largest school districts outperforming their peers.

This was especially noticeable in Metro Nashville Public Schools, where the math proficiency of charter students was five percent higher than students in district-run schools, and ELA proficiency was two percent higher.

Charter students in Memphis-Shelby County Schools saw a two percent higher proficiency in math than students in district-run schools.

Additionally, the Charter Center’s analysis found six charter schools ranked in the top 25 percent of all schools in the state for the ELA scores, including Valor Flagship Academy, Purpose Prep, Valor Voyager Academy, Ivy Academy's Skillern Elementary, Freedom Prep Elementary - Millbranch, and KIPP Antioch College Prep Elementary. Four charter schools ranked in the top 25 percent for math, including Valor Flagship Academy, Valor Voyager Academy, Memphis STEM Academy, and Memphis Rise Academy.

 

Sky Arnold

Sky serves as the Managing Editor of the Tennessee Fireflly. He’s a veteran television journalist with two decades of experience covering news in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Tennessee where he covered government for Fox 17 News in Nashville and WBBJ in Jackson. He’s a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and a big supporter of the Oklahoma Sooners.