New Analysis Finds Public Charter School Students are Playing an Oversized Role in the Historic Growth in Nashville and Memphis

Students at Nashville Classical (Photo by the Tennessee Charter School Center)

New research by the Tennessee Charter School Center found public charter school students, including those in Nashville and Memphis, are making more academic progress than their peers in traditional public schools.

The center analyzed recently released Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) data provided by the state. Unlike state tests, including the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment System (TCAP), TVAAS looks at how much progress students are making year over year. Schools receive a TVAAS rating from level 1 (below expectations) to level 5 (above expectations).

The center’s analysis found that statewide, 54 percent of public charter schools earned TVAAS levels 4 and 5 compared to 39 percent of district-operated schools.

“Part of the mission of public charter schools is to identify strategies and practices that help students overcome obstacles and close achievement gaps, building on growth to excel,” wrote the center in a news release sent to the Tennessee Firefly. “That’s why it is so encouraging to see strong TVAAS results like these in public charter schools – we are seeing empowered leaders use charter school autonomy to meet students where they are and help them thrive.” 

Charters’ Role in Historic Growth

Last month, the state’s largest school districts put out news releases touting their historic TVAAS growth, and the charter center’s research found public charter school students are playing an oversized role in that performance.

According to the center's research, 70 percent of Nashville’s charter schools earned a TVAAS level 4 or 5 compared to just 37 percent of district-operated schools. Most of those (64 percent) earned a level 5, more than double the 29 percent of MNPS schools to earn that rating.

In Memphis, the disparity was smaller but still present. According to the center's research, 54 percent of public charter schools in Shelby County earned a TVAAS level 4 or 5 compared to 43 percent of district-operated schools. Most of those charter schools (41 percent) earned a TVAAS level 5.