TCAP scores show “encouraging gains” for the state

State Education
Written By Sky Arnold

Tennessee students showed improvement in all subject areas on this year’s 2022/2023 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP), with more than a 3 percent proficiency rate growth in math and science and English language arts proficiency exceeding pre-pandemic scores.The Tennessee Department of Education released the statewide results Thursday afternoon.“Tennessee’s strategic education investments have resulted in encouraging gains for students across every subject and grade, including strong reading improvements,” said Governor Bill Lee. “As we continue our work to prepare students for success in the classroom and beyond, Tennessee remains committed to supporting teachers and empowering families with multiple pathways to achievement so every student can thrive.”The statewide results include both Spring 2023 and Fall 2022 end-of-course (EOC) exams in English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, science, and social studies.The Tennessee Department of Education attributes the improvements this year to the combined efforts of district and school leaders, educators, families, and elected officials who focused on closing the learning gaps caused by the pandemic.“Each year, TCAP assessment data provides important measures of student achievement that can help us understand what moves student learning forward and replicate this in all grades and subjects, ensuring that all Tennessee students have the opportunity to succeed,” said Interim Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Sam Pearcy. “Now, we must stay focused on strong implementation, strong academic instruction, and continue to use data to help accelerate learning for all students.”Highlights of the statewide data include:English Language Arts (ELA)

  • Statewide, 38.1% of students scored proficient on ELA assessments across all tested grades.
    • 6 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 36.5%.
    • 3 percentage point increase from 2020-21's proficiency rate of 29.8%.
  • In grades 3-8, 36.6% of students scored proficient on ELA assessments.
    • 5 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 35.1%.
    • 2 percentage point increase from 2020-21's proficiency rate of 28.4%.
  • In grades 9-10, 42.3% of students scored proficient on ELA assessments.
    • 1 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 40.2%.
    • 6 percentage point increase from 2020-21's proficiency rate of 33.7%.

Math

  • Statewide, 34% of students scored proficient on math assessments across all tested grades.
    • 2 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 30.8%.
    • 1 percentage point increase from 2020-21's proficiency rate of 25.9%.
  • In grades 3-8, 39% of students scored proficient on math assessments.
    • 1 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 34.9%.
    • 7 percentage point increase from 2020-21's proficiency rate of 29.3%.
  • In grades 9-11, 22.9% of students scored proficient on math assessments.
    • 6 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 21.3%.
    • 1 percentage point increase from 2020-21's proficiency rate of 11.8%.

Science

  • Statewide, 43.2% of students scored proficient on science assessments across all tested grades.
    • 4 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 39.8%.
    • 9 percentage point increase from 2020-21's proficiency rate of 38.3%.
  • In grades 3-8, 43.1% of students scored proficient on science assessments.
    • 8 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 39.3%.
    • 5 percentage point increase from 2020-21's proficiency rate of 37.6%.
  • In grade 10, 42.9% of students scored proficient on science assessments.
    • 7 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 41.2%.
    • 8 percentage point increase from 2020-21's proficiency rate of 41.1%.

Social Studies

  • Statewide, 43.2% of students scored proficient on social studies assessments across all tested grades.
    • 5 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 42.7%.
    • 5 percentage point increase from 2020-21's proficiency rate of 36.7%.
  • In grades 6-8, 43.9% scored proficient on social studies assessments.
    • 4 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 43.5%.
    • 6 percentage point increase from 2020-21's proficiency rate of 37.3%.
  • In grade 11, 38.5% scored proficient on social studies assessments.
    • 8 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate of 37.7%.
    • 3 percentage point increase from 2020-21's proficiency rate of 33.2%.

Leaders in the Republican caucus applauded the growth while stressing the important to maintain focus and continue working on improving literacy and math."These results are encouraging as we continue to improve outcomes for our students. This data shows we are working to overcome the learning loss experienced during the pandemic. Tennessee is back on the path of improvement,” said Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge). “This is due not only to the affirmative steps taken by Governor Lee and the General Assembly but because of the hard work of Tennessee's parents, students and teachers."“While the TCAP results demonstrate improvement we should not be satisfied. These results demonstrate how critical it is to continue our laser-like focus on literacy and math. We must stay committed to the State’s strategy as outlined in the 2021 Tennessee Literacy Success Act,” said Senate Finance Chairman Bo Watson (R-Hixon).The state also saw an increase in the TCAP participation rate.  Statewide the participation rate was 99 percent, with 29 counties reporting a 100 percent participation rate.Education organization Tennesseans for Student Success also called the results encouraging.  President and CEO Adam Lister said the improvements show the impact of investments in literacy and public education.“The importance of an annual assessment to measure student progress cannot be understated. Assessments that are aligned to our state standards and provide meaningful accountability to guide and support student learning are essential. Without these tools, student success would be only a wish, not a mission," said Adam Lister, President & CEO of Tennesseans for Student Success. "This year, student proficiency increased nearly ten percentage points in math and English language arts compared to 2021 COVID-era results. These gains mean that today nearly 100,000 children across TN are back on an academic trajectory that will more likely lead to a successful life. The growth we celebrate is driven by thousands of dedicated teachers and parents along with Governor Bill Lee and members of the Tennessee General Assembly who championed policies to address the state’s COVID learning loss and combat our literacy crisis."The Tennessee Firefly receives funding from Tennesseans for Student Success.

Sky Arnold

Sky serves as the Managing Editor of the Tennessee Fireflly. He’s a veteran television journalist with two decades of experience covering news in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Tennessee where he covered government for Fox 17 News in Nashville and WBBJ in Jackson. He’s a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and a big supporter of the Oklahoma Sooners.

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