Tennessee Democrat Claims ‘Flawed Letter Grades’ Fail to Reflect Schools After 43 Percent in Her City Receive Failing Grades

Raumesh Akbari

Tennessee State Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) claimed the new letter grades assigned to every Tennessee school are “flawed.” Akbari represents Memphis, where more than 40 percent of schools did not receive passing grades.

Akbari released a statement on Thursday declaring the “flawed letter grades will never define a school, their students and families, or their teachers and staff.” She asserted the grades instead reflect what she claimed is inadequate state funding for education.

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Tennessee Charter School Commission Executive Director Recommends Rejection of Two More Proposed Schools

The executive director of Tennessee’s Public Charter Schools Commission has recommended against two new charter schools, after last month battling to stop a charter school from opening in Rutherford County and another from opening in Williamson County. 

Tess Stovall reportedly agreed with the Memphis-Shelby County School Boards unanimous votes – one in April and another in July – and recommended against the opening of Binghampton Community School and Tennessee Volunteer Military Academy.

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Memphis-Shelby County Superintendent Resigns Amid Investigation

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Superintendent says he will resign from his post amid controversy that led to an external investigation. 

Dr. Joris Ray said he would resign after the full nine-member school board met in July with investigator Herman Morris, who was contracted to look into allegations that Ray had extra-marital affairs with employees of the school district. 

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