District level data shows challenges for third-grade students in rural counties and West Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Education says four of five third-grade students in the Jackson-Madison County School System (JMCSS) failed to meet the testing threshold to advance to the fourth-grade. That’s the eighth lowest in the state and behind other large school districts including Memphis-Shelby County Schools.Less than 20 percent of JMCSS’s third-graders scored “meets” or “exceeds” proficiency on the English language arts (ELA) portion of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). Students who score below that are at risk of retention under the state’s new Third-Grade Retention Law if they’re not in an exempt category."Like the rest of the state, we have work to do in regards to third-grade TCAP ELA. However, we don't judge growth and achievement by a single test score. We're proud of the guidance our teachers and support staff provide in academics, athletics and the arts," wrote the district. "We're not perfect, but we're getting better."The state released JMCSS’s scores along with those from other districts across Tennessee Wednesday afternoon and the data shows several rural West Tennessee and Western Middle Tennessee districts having similar testing challenges.Just over 16 percent of third-graders in Humboldt City Schools met the threshold and districts in Fayette County, Haywood County, Perry County, and Houston County weren’t far ahead as all tested below 20 percent proficient.Statewide 40 percent of third-graders met the threshold and Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn has repeatedly focused on the positive.  The number of students who scored proficient statewide increased by more than 4 percent and that includes the largest percentage of third-graders scoring in the top category in over a decade."Providing districts, schools, and families with data about how their students are performing is essential,” said Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn. "I appreciate the dedication and ongoing efforts of Tennessee districts and schools as they work with families to help them choose the best pathway for their children and their future success."TCAP_2023_G3ELA_DistrictAverages  

Largest Districts Focus on Improvements

The state’s two largest school districts are also focusing on the positives of the testing results even though percentage of students scoring proficient was well below the state average in both.In Memphis-Shelby County Schools, more than 23 percent of third-graders tested proficient. That’s 7 percent higher than last year.The district put out a statement attributing the increase to investments in the Summer Learning Academy and summer programs, continued professional development around the science of reading and instructional practices, and efforts to reduce student-to-adult ratios in K-2 and additional tutoring options.“Because of their resilience and our interventions, the class of 2032 is making gains, and we’re optimistic that these gains will continue,” said Superintendent Toni Williams. “Being one of our youngest groups of students at the start of the pandemic, they will continue to need extra support to move further faster, and the District will continue to provide it.”Third-graders in Metro-Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) saw a 3 percent proficiency growth on the test with more than 29 percent testing proficient this year.That’s the district’s highest level of proficiency since the state implemented the TNReady system in 2017.“Our goal all along has been to come out even stronger than before the pandemic, and thanks to the hard work of our students, staff, and families, along with the significant federal investments through ESSER and the commitment by the city of Nashville to support our schools, we have now achieved that goal in these latest test results,” said Dr. Adrienne Battle, Director of Metro Schools. “Investments in high-quality teaching materials, professional development, tutoring and extended learning options are all part of the puzzle to grow our students academically and see greater results.”MNPS’s scores also illustrate the impact the new law’s rules can have for students who are exempt from retention.The district announced Monday that an estimated 62 percent of its third-grade students would be assured promotion to the fourth-grade because they either met or exceeded expectations on the TCAP or they met the requirements to be exempt.  Under the law, students are exempt if they have an existing or suspected reading disability, an English Learner status, or if they’ve been previously retained.The data released today shows less than half of those MNPS students are assured promotion because they met TCAP proficiency.