Commission annual report: most commission-authorized schools meet standards, reward schools increase

NASHVILLE — Rebecca Laidebore, the commission’s data and accountability coordinator, presented the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission’s SY24–25 annual report to the School Performance & Accountability Committee on Jan. 22, saying the commission saw district-level and school-level gains while noting persistent challenges with staffing and attendance.

Laidebore said 17 schools were open and operating under the commission last year, serving just over 6,700 students. She said 31% of schools earned an A letter grade, up from 17% the prior year, and 12 of the 17 schools met or exceeded the academic section of the school performance framework. She also reported 16 of 17 met the organizational section; the financial section remained pending while audits are completed.

The presentation listed four schools with D letter grades; staff indicated those operators had been issued notices of concern or intervention where applicable. Commissioners focused questions on chronic absenteeism and teacher retention — staff said retention is measured as licensed teachers plus the principal and that some schools reported teacher-retention rates below 50% in recent years. Rebecca and other staff said these indicators are discussed during site visits and used to craft targeted supports.

Laidebore highlighted that students who remain enrolled in commissioned schools year over year generally show greater gains in success rates. Commissioners asked for school-level breakdowns of chronic absenteeism and retention and for comparison figures against resident districts; staff offered to supply the requested data.

The committee thanked staff for the report and noted follow-up questions on specific schools’ ELA performance and intervention plans were likely to continue.