For the past decade, students in Memphis have been trapped in underperforming schools as the system struggles to make meaningful progress. The district has failed to retain transformational leadership while continuing to mismanage one of Tennessee's largest investments in education. These are not political arguments. They are a plain reading of a decade of report cards, achievement data and missed deadlines.
As the chair of the House Education Committee in the Tennessee General Assembly, I'm always looking for ways to improve our state's education system. As a representative of Shelby County, I'm equally committed to ensuring students in our community have the educational opportunities they deserve.
takeover as school begins
So, when education leaders in the General Assembly learned about an emerging accountability model in Houston, we took a hard look at whether its lessons could translate into a new approach Tennessee could use to lift struggling districts statewide. We took action and passed the Tennessee Public Schools Accountability Act, creating a local oversight board that will help Memphis-Shelby County Schools provide the quality education our children so desperately need.
In response, the Shelby County government, MSCS and the county commission filed a lawsuit that has delayed the implementation of this vital management board. As a result, Memphis students are still suffering.
The strides made in Houston should compel our local leaders to put their differences aside and get to work for our children.
Houston's turnaround offers a roadmap
Three years ago, Texas placed Houston Independent School District under a state-appointed board of managers after Phillis Wheatley High Schoolrecorded its seventh consecutive year of a failing rating. Since then, HISD has made significant gains among its approximately 170,000 students.
Today, HISDholds a B rating districtwide. The number of failing campuses hasfallen from 120 in 2023 to 13 today. At the same time, the number of schools earning an A or B has more than doubled, from 93 to 205. Wheatley, the campus whose chronic failure triggered the intervention,earned itsfirst-ever A this year.
Memphis schools still face steep challenges
Meanwhile, MSCS continues to struggle with budget deadlines, classroom vacancies, crumbling infrastructure and student achievement. To be clear, there is real progress to point to. Many of our educators are working to overcome the challenges of our system, delivering top-tier growth and opportunities. But nearly a third of MSCS campuses are still rated D or F,including 23 schools with F ratings. Districtwide proficiency remains well below where it needs to be.
Progress at this pace is not enough for the students sitting in those classrooms right now.
The Houston model demonstrates what sustained, accountable intervention looks like when the system commits to meaningful change. Imagine if we could do the same thing in Memphis.
Accountability works when leaders commit to change
As a result of dedicated teachers and critical policy reforms, Tennessee has significantly moved the needle statewide. We are one of the fastest-improving states in the country for education gains, and we have no intention of letting up.
Now it's time for the oversight board to do what's necessary to put children first, promote higher academic standards and prepare our students for the future.
Unfortunately, sometimes existing systems refuse to do the urgent work required to improve outcomes for kids, even when the path forward has already been paved. I will not rest until every Memphis student has access to a world-class education. They deserve nothing less.
It's time for Shelby County to exit its lawsuit
That is why it's time for Shelby County government, including the new mayor-elect and county commissioners-elect, to exit their lawsuit against the MSCS oversight board and get to work rebuilding opportunities for Memphis students. Our legislation draws on the same type of accountability intervention that moved Houston from a failing district to a B in three years.
Continuing to litigate against this new law does not protect Memphis students; it only creates another roadblock to better outcomes for children in our community.
Tennessee is on the right track. Communities are safer, students are achieving more and opportunities are expanding. But this success depends on every community doing its part, including Memphis.
I ask all civic leaders across Shelby County to support the oversight board and the residents who have stepped up to help unlock the potential of this generation of students.
Houston didn't achieve its progress by sitting on its hands. Neither should we.
State Rep. Mark White represents District 83 in the Tennessee General Assembly, which includes part of Shelby County. He chairs the House Education Committee.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Houston defied the odds. Memphis can, too | Opinion
