Charter Commission Approves a High-Quality Public Education Option for Memphis Families

NASHVILLE — Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) released the following statement to applaud today’s decision by the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission to support the wishes of families in Orange Mound and South Memphis by granting the appeal of Empower Memphis Career and College Prep.

“Earlier this year our organization conducted a thorough independent review of the application from Empower Memphis and found it to be a high-quality public education option for families and worthy of approval. We’re happy to see the members of the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission agree with this analysis of the quality of this school and the need it will fill for economically disadvantaged families in Orange Mound and South Memphis,” said Adam Lister, President and CEO of Tennesseans for Student Success. “Today’s decision illustrates the importance of having a charter appeal process to ensure innovative and career focused public school options like Empower Memphis are available to families who lack the resources to choose the best public education for their child.”

Empower Memphis will serve K-8 students in Orange Mound and South Memphis with a career and technical education model (CTE) designed to provide students with academic and technical skills for careers through hands-on training and experience. Former Memphis educator Muna Olaniyi founded the school and aims to disrupt the cycle of poverty in these communities.

You can read our review of the application for Empower Memphis on our Quality Charter Review page.

Tennesseans for Student Success is a statewide network of parents and caregivers, teachers, community leaders, volunteers, and advocates dedicated to championing and supporting Tennessee’s students and their futures.