NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Mimicking last year's outcome, this year's TCAP scores showed that more than half of Tennessee third graders aren't meeting reading expectations.
The Tennessee Department of Education released the information on Thursday.
Data does show that 27% met expectations and 14% exceeded them, meaning those Tennessee students are on grade level. The total of students who are not on grade level on the TCAP test is 60% — with 36% approaching and 23% below expectations.
Third grade has become a crucial year for Tennessee students due to the Third Grade Retention Law. Per the law, students who score approaching or below will have to undergo extra tutoring or retake the reading portion of the TCAP test. Students are already participating in that process.
However, fourth grade students showed some growth. At least 46% of fourth graders reached TCAP benchmarks. Rather than be retained with no options, state law changed this year to provide pathways for fifth graders.
The state didn't provide district-level data with this announcement.
Fostering Hope provides Christmas for kids in foster care. I'm delighted to see Fostering Hope expand this year to expand their reach to now include kids in Foster care in metro AND foster kids in East TN hard hit by Helene.
-Bree Smith
