Bill advances that could allow state oversight of Memphis schools

(The Center Square) – A Tennessee joint conference committee advanced a bill Monday that would allow the state to oversee schools that don’t meet certain criteria.

Senate Bill 714 would allow state officials to appoint a nine-member oversight board for school districts that meet four out of six objectives outlined in the bill. The board would be in place for four years.

Four of the objectives relate to performance on standardized tests, absenteeism and the number of schools with a D or F grade from the Department of Education.

The other objectives relate to financial management and leadership.

While the bill does not specifically name Memphis Shelby County Schools, lawmakers acknowledged it would apply to the district, which fails to meet the criteria.

Only 25% of students from that district who graduate can read at grade level, according to Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis.

“Look, if we wanted to target Shelby County, there’s a number of ways we could have done th...