THE FACTS
Tennessee has 81 low-performing schools. 55 are in Memphis.
Only 1 in 6 children can read on grade level.
Only 2 out of 10 children can perform math on grade level.
Children are graduating with “certificates of completion” rather than high school diplomas and are not ready for college.
We believe all parents love their children and want them to receive the best possible education.
WE ARE DEMANDING HIGH QUALITY SCHOOLS & RADICAL CHANGES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
If you live in Memphis and are poor, you have very little chance of getting a quality education. Parents and grandparents living in poverty struggle to have stable housing and put food on the table. They assume if their child is going to school, he or she is getting a good education. Unfortunately, that’s often not true. We are demanding change now. Here’s how:
PARENT ADVOCACY FELLOWSHIP educates parents and grandparents about the state of public education, the performance of our schools and the choices you have for high-quality education. This knowledge empowers Fellowship graduates to advocate for their children.
SURGE TEAM organizes and mobilizes. We go out into the community and knock on doors to build relationships. We welcome the community to join us for Memphis Mondays, Speaker Series, Book Club and Gladiator Training. We bring together hundreds of parents to attend meetings and protests so our voices are heard in a productive, organized and powerful way.
CHOICE COUNSELING guides parents and grandparents through the process of choosing the best school for their children. It provides help to find a better school if your child is attending a low-performing school. We also provide guidance and support if your child is attending a good school but having issues such as lack of respect or safety.
All services are free.