Issues related to poverty, poorly maintained schools, adverse childhood experiences, trauma, disproportionate consequences for students of color, insufficient resources for wraparound services (such as school nurses, counselors and social workers), and inadequate support for teachers, their professional development and classroom supplies, continue to negatively affect educational quality and school attendance among Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS).

 

Our teachers are overwhelmed and under incredible pressure. With just three weeks before the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, MSCS had more than 220 unfilled teaching positions. A recent national survey found that 80% of teachers are dissatisfied with their jobs and 40% are thinking about leaving education within the next two years. 

 

On wraparound services, MSCS has a ratio of: 

• 1 counselor for every 400 students, but the recommended ratio is 1 for every 250 students. 

• 1 social worker for every 8,700 students, but the recommended ratio is 1 for every 250 students

• 1 school nurse for every 1,200 students, but the recommended ratio is 1 for every 750 students

• 1 psychologist for every 3,400 students, but the recommended ratio is 1 for every 700 students.

 

Meanwhile, millions of dollars of deferred maintenance means our schools are literally falling apart placing our school staff and students at unnecessary physical risk.

 

The consequences of unsupported teachers and students are dire. 

 

At the end of the 2021-2022 school year, 56% of second graders were not reading at grade level and only 23.5% of third graders are at grade level, even lower than the state average of 35.7% For students with disabilities, just 8.5% of these students read on level. Students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school.