Memphis, TN: 17% of students passed state math tests; 3/4 of students failed to pass reading tests

Nov 12, 2026, Chalkbeat: Memphis graduation rate climbs nearly 8 points since 2020, but test scores still trail the state

More Memphis students are graduating high school than six years ago, according to the state’s most recent data.

More than 7,100 Memphis-Shelby County Schools students from the class of 2026 received their high school diplomas, up from around 6,200 in the spring of 2020. That represents a 7.7 percentage point increase in the district’s graduation rate since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. . . .

MSCS leaders are touting the growth as the result of several years of focus on individual student data and graduation coaches. The gains come at a crucial time for MSCS, as a looming state takeover of the district puts increased pressure on student achievement. . . .

The school takeover legislation, passed by Tennessee Republicans this spring, authorizes a new state-appointed board to take power from local leaders if the district meets four of six criteria signaling consistent underperformance.  . . .

Despite improving graduation rates, Memphis students continue to lag behind their peers statewide in academic proficiency. MSCS test scores have improved steadily in recent years, but nearly three-quarters of students failed to pass state reading tests last year, compared to just over half statewide.

 “We understand that we have work to do when it comes to academic progress and making it stronger and more consistent,” Superintendent Roderick Richmond said in an interview Monday with Chalkbeat. “We know that’s important as we try to prepare students to be college, career, and life ready.”

High school math proficiency on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, or TCAP, has nearly quadrupled in Memphis over the past five years. But while 17.4% of Memphis high schoolers passed the math test last year, more than 30% did statewide. There’s also a 20 percentage point gap in high school reading proficiency. . . .