TN School Advocates Oppose A-F Grades

Groups say state should focus on improving school funding

As the Tennessee Department of Education releases new A-F letter grades for the state's public schools, education advocates are speaking out against the effort.

As a result of a 2016 law that went into effect this year after a series of delays, each school in the state is assigned a letter grade from A-F. The grades include rankings on student achievement, student academic growth, and other measures.

The state's largest professional association for teachers, the Tennessee Education Association, says the grades don't accurately reflect what's happening in schools. The group also says the grades fail to help students.

“These letter grades don’t help students, and they don’t provide clear and concise information that is useful to parents,” said TEA President Tanya Coats, who serves on one of the working groups tasked with making final recommendations on how the grades will be built. “What goes into determining these grades is a statement of priority, and TEA is in the room to advocate for all students and to encourage the inclusion of much more nuanced information.”

The Democratic Leader in the state Senate was more direct, saying state policymakers should focus on adequately funding schools to support students and teachers.

Sen. Raumesh Akbari of Memphis said of the grades:

“These flawed letter grades will never define a school, their students and families, or their teachers and staff. What these letter grades do show is the consequences of bottom 10 in the nation student funding and a failure by the state to move resources to the students who need them most.

“Instead of weaponizing these grades, I hope lawmakers will come together around policies that nourish every child’s learning potential and strengthen the community around these students.”

Sen. Raumesh Akbari of MemphisPhoto bySenate Democratic Caucus