Knox County Schools students, overall, outperform their peers statewide on TCAP tests

Areena Arora and Rachel Wegner, Knoxville News Sentinel
·3 min read

Knox County Schools students, on average, outperformed their statewide peers this year in both English language arts and math assessment scores. Overall, students continue to make small gains on a path to overcoming losses they experienced as the pandemic completely disrupted their educations.

About 41% of Knox County students across all grades met or exceeded expectations in the reading portion of the annual TCAP test compared to 38% statewide. In math, 33.8% Knox County students across all grades met or exceeded expectations, just above statewide percentage at 33.7%.

For both reading and math, the results inched up a little from last year.

Science and social studies also showed small improvements.

“Over the last year, our district has worked proactively to create structures and systems that put student growth and achievement at the center of our work,” Keith Wilson, Knox County Schools assistant superintendent for academics, said in a press release. “We believe this effort is already paying dividends, and that these steps will provide our outstanding educators with the support and resources they need to help students overcome the challenges of the last three years.”

Statewide results released last month showed gains across all subjects tested — English language arts, math, science and social studies — with scores largely matching or surpassing prepandemic levels. Math proficiency rates, however, are still lagging behind prepandemic rates.

“These results reflect the dedication and continuous efforts of Tennessee districts and educators to prepare students and make academic gains,” newly appointed Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds said in a news release. “Using this data to make informed decisions and strategic investments in education, Tennessee is well prepared for the work that lies ahead, and we will continue to put kids first.”

Here's a look at Knox County's results in English, math, science and social studies

English language arts proficiency rates increased from last year and surpassed prepandemic levels.

  • 2019: 40.1%

  • 2021: 33.9%

  • 2022: 39.5%

  • 2023: 41.2%

Math proficiency rates increased from last year, but still lag behind prepandemic levels.

  • 2019: 37.7%

  • 2021: 28.9%

  • 2022: 30.3%

  • 2023: 33.8%

Science proficiency rates increased compared to the last two years.

  • 2021: 44.4%

  • 2022: 44.3%

  • 2023: 46.5%

Social studies proficiency rates increased from last year and surpassed prepandemic levels.

  • 2019: 46.6%

  • 2021: 45.5%

  • 2022: 48.6%

  • 2023: 49.4%

How did the new law about TCAP scores for third graders play out?

The biggest change related to this year's TCAP scores was the new law that forces third graders to undergo intense tutoring and/or mandatory summer school if they do not meet grade-level reading expectations on the TCAP test.

Because of the new law, 32 Knox County Schools students must repeat third grade, according to district spokeswoman Carly Harrington. Another 550 students decided to opt in for the tutoring program instead of going to summer school.

The district has nearly 60,000 students enrolled in its 90 schools, and 4,352 of them are third graders, according to the latest available data from the state department of education.

When the first round of results was released, families of about 1,600 Knox County students were given short notice — a weekend to make decisions that would impact their child's retention or promotion.

Many parents spoke about frustrations with inconsistencies in how the students scored in other assessments and the on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program.

How to view TCAP scores

The Tennessee Department of Education also released data that included end-of-course exams given in fall 2022, alongside the results from the TCAPs administered this spring.

Want to see the results for yourself? Visit reportcard.tnedu.gov and enter the district you want into the search bar at the top right, then click "2023 District Assessment" to access the dashboard. From there you can select subject areas, grade levels, student groups and more.

Areena Arora, data and investigative reporter for Knox News, can be reached by email at areena.arora@knoxnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AreenaArora.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County Schools students outperform Tennessee peers on TCAPs