Third grade TCAP scores 2023: See how Tennessee districts did on crucial test
The Tennessee Department of Education this week released a district-by-district look at how third graders scored on the English language arts section of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program.
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 tutuoring during fourth grade. Retesting has been underway this week. There is also an appeals process.
Search for your district's scores
Families can find information about the third grade retention law on the department’s website.
Third grade reading scores did improve over last year's when 65% of third graders in Tennessee fell below the threshold.
Some districts provided the USA TODAY Network - Tennessee with an estimated number of students at risk of being held back after factoring in exemptions. Here are those estimates:
Cheatham County Schools: 40%
Clarksville-Montgomery County School System: 40%
Dickson County Schools: 35%
Knox County Schools: 40%
Metro Nashville Public Schools: 39%
Robertson County Schools: 40%
Wilson County Schools: 35%
Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on Twitter @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TCAP scores by school district: See how Tennessee's third-graders did
