59% Oak Ridge third graders proficient on TCAP English
Almost 59% of Oak Ridge third graders passed the spring 2023 English Language Arts (ELA) Tennessee Comprehensive Academic Program (TCAP). Those students won't have to repeat the grade or take other necessary steps in order to move on to fourth grade under a new state law.
The 58.74% of students who scored proficient or above is a 6% increase from Oak Ridge's 2022 spring scores, according to information from Oak Ridge Schools, along with statistics compiled from Tennessee Department of Education information.
“We are thrilled with the growth we saw at the third grade level and know it is a direct reflection of thehard work and dedication of not only our students, but our teachers, principals and the entire staff at theelementary level,” Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers said in a news release. “These results did not come easy and are a testament to our unwavering commitment to student success.”
Under a state law that took effect this year, third graders who scored below or approaching proficiency on that portion of the standardized test could be held back from advancing to fourth grade if they do not take other steps.
Across the state, 60% of third graders fell short of proficiency, but some of them qualify for exemptions such as if they are still learning English, have a disability that impacts their reading or were previously held back. Exemptions are determined at the district level and are not reflected in the state numbers.
Students who did not meet the benchmark may still advance to fourth grade if they retest and score on grade level, enroll in summer school or sign up for tutoring during fourth grade. There is also an appeals process.
Unless they meet requirements, 11% won't promote to fourth grade
According to the revision to the state law, more than 70% of the Oak Ridge Schools students who did not score proficient qualified for an exemption or an appeal.
In total, 11% of Oak Ridge third graders scored not proficient and are non-exempt, according to the release. Those students have been given the opportunity to retake the TCAP, attend summer school or receive additional tutoring sessions during the 2023-24 academic year to ensure promotion to fourth grade.
“Our elementary principals have been working with the families and caregivers of the non-exemptstudents who did not score proficient to decide the best next steps for each individual student, but we areextremely pleased with how few students fell into that category.” Borchers said. “As always, we willcontinue to work with each individual student to provide additional support throughout the next steps intheir academic careers.”
According to the Tennessee Department of Education, students become exempt if they have previouslybeen retained, are English Language Learners (ELL) with less than two years of ELA instruction or havea suspected disability that impacts reading. Additionally, appeals are available for students that scored inthe 41st percentile or above on the spring Aimsweb universal screener or experienced a catastrophicsituation during the days leading up to the TCAP test that impacted the ability to perform on the test or there-test.
“Providing our students with the academic support they need will always be our top priority,” saidBorchers. “Should parents have any additional questions or concerns, they should contact their student’sschool principal.”
The total percentage of third-grade students in nearby school systems who were proficient in ELA on the TCAPS this year, according to the state Education Department data:
Anderson County Schools: 44%
Clinton City Schools: 55%
Roane County Schools: 41%
Morgan County Schools: 41%
Knox County Schools: 43%.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: 59% Oak Ridge third graders proficient on TCAP English
