State Board Releases 2023 Charter School Authorizer Evaluation Outcomes

Evaluations show improvements and growth

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) — During its February 16th quarterly meeting, the State Board of Education released outcomes for the 2023 charter school authorizer evaluations. These bi-annual evaluations are designed to ensure the effective operation of all authorizers and assess authorizer quality.

The State Board was charged with conducting periodic charter school authorizer evaluations by the Tennessee General Assembly during the 2019 legislative session. Under the statutory requirement, the State Board developed an evaluation system based on Policy 6.111 - Quality Charter Authorizing Standards and Tennessee became the fourth state to adopt an authorizer evaluation process. and was the fourth state to adopt an authorizer evaluation process.

“Quality charter school authorization is essential for ensuring charters schools, and their authorizers, are operating according to state standards and with transparency," said Dr. Sara Morrison, Executive Director of the State Board of Education. “The State Board believes these evaluations give authorizers valuable feedback that can increase the quality of oversight and support for their charter schools.”

Each charter school authorizer evaluation begins with the formation of an evaluation team and an examination of the authorizer’s performance based on state standards. After the evaluation, authorizers receive a final report detailing specific feedback, scores on the rubric’s standards, an overall rating, and follow-up actions. Authorizers can earn an overall rating on a scale from zero to four, with score ranges indicating unsatisfactory/incomplete, approaching satisfactory, satisfactory, commendable, and exemplary designations.

“This is our second cycle of evaluations, and results show significant progress being made by our charter school authorizers. We are proud to see them continue to raise the bar to better serve Tennessee’s students," said Ali Reid, Director of Engagement and Accountability for the State Board.  

Tennessee’s charter authorizer evaluation cycle is conducted over a two-year period. The 2023 evaluations assessed the authorizing practices of Hamilton County Schools, Knox County Schools and Memphis-Shelby County Schools. 

2023 Evaluation Outcomes:

• Hamilton County Schools – “Satisfactory” with a score of 2.3 out of 4
• Knox County Schools – “Commendable” with a score of 3.1 out of 4
• Memphis-Shelby County Schools – “Exemplary” with a score of 3.5 out of 4

Additional information, including the full charter authorizer evaluation reports, can be found on the State Board of Education’s website.

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