Tennessee bill expanding third-grade reading testing advances in House
A bill that would add more testing and support for Tennessee third-graders at risk of being held back this year moved forward on Wednesday.
Third grade reading proficiency is widely seen as a predictor for a student's future success. Research links it to things like academic achievement, high school dropout rates, college and career readiness, and college enrollment and retention. Only 36% of Tennessee students read on grade level, last year's state testing data revealed. That number was up from 29% the year before.
Tennessee's current third-grade retention law hinges on a student's English language arts score on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, the state's standardized testing set to run in April and May this year. The law, passed in 2021, takes effect for this year's class of third graders. Those who fall short can retest and up their scores, or enroll in state-funded summer learning or tutoring programs, per the law.
From 2022:See how your Middle Tennessee school district fared on TNReady tests
The bill, first introduced by Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis), seeks to add a second, state-approved "benchmark" test to the existing law. It would also expand tutoring options and streamline the appeal process for parents and guardians who want to challenge a retention decision.
Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka) spoke for the bill, which he is co-sponsoring, in Wednesday's hearing before the House Education Administration Committee. He said it pulls together key ideas from a score of similar bills and consolidates them. The intent of the legislation is to create more chances for third graders who are "close but not quite there" on reading proficiency to avoid being held back, Cepicky said.
“We don’t want anyone to fall through the cracks," he said.
After a brief round of questions from committee members, the bill advanced with no opposition.
Tennessee's current third-grade reading law vs. what the bill proposes
Under the current law, third graders rated as "approaching" or "below" English language arts proficiency can move on to fourth grade if they do one of the following:
Retest and score as "proficient" before the beginning of the next school year
Attend a free summer learning camp with at least a 90% attendance rate and show adequate growth
Additionally, students ranked as approaching proficiency can go on to fourth grade if they are assigned a free tutor through the Tennessee Accelerating Literacy and Learning Corps, who will work with them through the entirety of the upcoming school year.
Previously:Bill to ease TN's third-grade reading and retention law clears first legislative hurdle
The bill seeks to add measures for third-graders at risk of being held back, including:
Adding a second, state-approved benchmark test alongside the TCAP for students who score below state's proficiency level
Requiring students held back in kindergarten, first grade or second grade to receive tutoring during the next school year
Directing the state to establish clear rules for the appeals process if a parent or guardian wants to challenge a student's retention whose scores are "approaching" proficiency
What's next?
The bill cleared its first legislative hurdle earlier this month before it went to the committee on Wednesday. It is next set to be taken up by the government operations committee. No date was immediately set for that hearing on Wednesday. Several more steps remain before it would be considered for a floor vote.
The Senate version of the bill also advanced earlier this month and is set to go before the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee. A date has not been set.
Learn more about Tennessee's current third grade retention law via an FAQ page.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN third-grade reading law: Bill that adds testing, tutoring advances
