Parents in Memphis deserve the flexibility of school choice
My twins, Jordan and Jia, have always been special. Born prematurely, they spent the first few weeks of their lives in the neonatal intensive care unit. Jordan was especially small, weighing less than four pounds at birth.
Those early days in the hospital were followed by years of occupational therapy at home. I promised God that, if he would let me have two healthy children, I would do everything in my power to provide the best life for them — no matter what.
At the time, I was an elementary school teacher with Shelby County Schools. But when I needed to choose a preschool for Jordan and Jia, I knew a traditional public school just wasn’t right for my kids. They needed extra attention, stability and care. That’s why I enrolled my twins at St. Michael School, a private school here in Memphis.
At St. Michael, Jordan and Jia began to thrive, thanks to the small class sizes, individualized lesson plans and one-on-one tutoring and support services. The school’s structured environment and faith-based education helped both my children become self-reliant, self-assured and independent.
Today, Jordan and Jia attend Memphis Catholic High School, where they both have a 4.0 grade-point average.
It has been a privilege to send my children to private school — but it hasn’t been easy. I fight every day to afford their education, to pay the bills, to uphold that promise I made to God all those years ago. I’ve been lucky to have a wonderful husband and a supportive family to help. But not every parent is as fortunate as I am.
Over the past five years, 28 Memphis schools have been forced to close, and as many as 24 additional schools could be shut down in the next five years. Shelby County School Superintendent Dorsey Hopson is working diligently with state and local leaders to turn around failing schools, developing tailored plans to rehabilitate, consolidate or rebuild underperforming institutions.
But more work lies ahead, and, in the meantime, far too many kids are falling behind.
Fortunately, there is a strong network of excellent private schools in Memphis with the capacity to serve thousands of additional students. The Jubilee Schools could immediately welcome nearly 1,000 new students, and additional Catholic schools in Memphis could enroll approximately 1,500 more children. I’m sure there are other quality private schools in our region that would gladly open their doors to families who want to leave low-performing schools.
There is growing agreement that parents should have the flexibility to choose the right school for their children. That’s why the Tennessee General Assembly is considering several proposals to expand choice and opportunity in K-12 schools.
One of the bills would establish a pilot program in Memphis that would provide new options to parents whose children are trapped in failing schools. I hope state policymakers and local officials will join in support of the legislation and help more children in our community access the education they deserve.
At a time when Memphis public schools are struggling, expanding school choice is just common sense. They say a rising tide lifts all boats; if more families have the chance to experience a great learning environment, then the standard of excellence across Memphis schools can also improve, leading to a brighter future for all.
Debra Robinson is a former teacher with Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools. She now serves as vice principal at Memphis Catholic High School.