School turnaround pilot shows significant academic improvements in Memphis schools

The State Board of Education in Tennessee has reported promising results from its school turnaround pilot program, which aims to enhance student performance in struggling schools. During a recent workshop on December 14, 2024, officials shared data indicating significant improvements in several participating schools.

Notably, Lincoln Elementary School saw its performance rating soar from a level 1 to a level 5, while Hawkins Mill Elementary's TCAP success rate increased from 11.3% to 20.1%. Additionally, both Hawkins Mill and Trezvant High School successfully exited the priority list, meeting the necessary criteria for improvement.

The pilot program, which began its full implementation in the 2022 school year, involved various vendors who started their work at different times, with some beginning as early as December 2021. The State Board plans to release a comprehensive final report by October 1, 2025, which will compare the outcomes of pilot schools with those that did not participate. This report will analyze which strategies were effective and make recommendations for broader implementation in non-pilot schools.

As the program continues, the Board is committed to transparency and will provide updates on the data as it becomes available. Stakeholders interested in the detailed reports and timelines for the pilot program are encouraged to reach out for more information. The ongoing evaluation of this initiative underscores the Board's dedication to improving educational outcomes across Tennessee.