About MTR
Equal Education
Equal education matters because people matter equally.
Class, age, ability, race, gender, religion, and other identity markers do not determine a person’s value. As Christians, we believe all humans have inherent and equal value from simply being made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
While there are many systemic inequities, MTR aims to address inequities within education in Memphis. Educational outcomes are tied to markers of well-being such as health, income, and vocational choice / opportunities. Therefore, the pursuit of a more equitable educational landscape in Memphis is a choice to honor the dignity and value of the whole of each person.
The abbreviated mission of MTR is “Christian love expressed in equal education.” Doing this work within a Christian context means that we ultimately hope in God’s restoration and justice, and that we work toward those ends within Memphis education.
Edgap
A Geographical Perspective on Educational Opportunity
In our nation’s largest urban centers, and particularly in Memphis, our education sector is incredibly segregated and incredibly unequal. The average ACT score in Memphis’ lowest performing communities is between 14 and 16, while the highest performing public schools average 23-26, and the leading private school students average above 28. ACT scores range from an approximate minimum of 11 to an average of 21 and a maximum of 36, which puts many Memphis students closer to the minimum possible score than the national average.
The EdGap map currently has college-readiness data for 31 states. You can look at any city in these 31 states and see visually the average ACT or SAT score for each public or charter high school overlaid on socioeconomic data. We hope you will use this tool to explore the geography of achievement and opportunity in Memphis and in your region of the country as well.
Median Household Income of Census Tract