Memphis charter schools increased math proficiency on state tests from 2% in 2021 to nearly 25% last year, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

This growth followed instructional reforms after Leadership Preparatory Charter School partnered with Teach Like A Champion in 2022 to adapt a state-approved math curriculum. The Tennessee education nonprofit SCORE released a report documenting math score growth at local charter schools. Emma McWeeney, SCORE senior director of charter initiatives, said, "Their growth was the equivalent of if they had had 47 more days of learning in a year."

The school implemented a structured math schedule that replaces strictly scripted lessons with an opening activity, rote review, and increased teacher flexibility. Corliss James, the school's principal, said, "With the scripted curriculum, some of the questions weren't as rigorous, and when we would see the state test, they weren't aligned even though they were saying they were." McWeeney observed a consistent flow and model in classrooms from kindergarten to eighth grade, despite varied math skills.

Valissia Allen, the school's founder, said, "We were expecting teachers to make changes to cater to students' needs, but they were scared." James stated that some teachers resigned after the new lesson model was introduced due to increased workloads. Last year, nearly 44% of students at the school scored proficient on state standardized math tests, an increase of over 20 percentage points from 2021.

Memphis traditional public schools saw math proficiency increase from 6.9% in 2021 to just under 22% last year. Their proficiency remains below pre-pandemic levels.