Most Tennessee school districts are seeing improvement on state TCAP testing

The vast majority of Tennessee school districts are seeing improvement on state testing for the 2022/2023 school year.According to district level data released Tuesday by the Tennessee Department of Education, 132 of 147 school districts improved their proficiency rate on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) compared to the prior school year.While the percentage of results hasn’t returned to pre-COVID levels, new Department of Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds praised the improvement.“These results reflect the dedication and continuous efforts of Tennessee districts and educators to prepare students and make academic gains,” said Commissioner Reynolds. “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.”The overall highlights of the district level TCAP results include:

• Statewide more 38 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency.
• In 68 districts, over 38.7 percent of students scored “met expectations” or “exceeded expectations.”
• In 19 districts, over 50 percent of students scored “met expectations” or “exceeded expectations.”
• 107 districts increased proficiency rates from the 2019-20 school year to the 2022-23 school year.

Leaders of three of Tennessee’s largest school districts issued statements Tuesday afternoon to commend the improvements their students made on the TCAP.

Davidson County

Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) achieved the highest proficiency rates in English language arts (ELA) since the implementation of the new state standards for the subject during the 2017-18 school year.Additionally, 9 percent of elementary school students exceeded expectations and 22 percent met expectations in ELA.Out of the eight categories, the district exceeded state growth in seven of them, and met the final one.“We have a philosophy here at MNPS, which is to know where you are, but don’t stay there,” said Dr. Adrienne Battle, Director of Metro Nashville Public Schools. “We celebrate this growth and progress while knowing that it is another brick in the foundation towards overall achievement and success that will result in better outcomes in college, career, and life for the students we serve.”

Memphis-Shelby County

Memphis-Shelby County Schools leaders issued a statement to celebrate the second year in a row of TCAP improvements, including increases in 10 of 11 TCAP categories, but the district still has challenges ahead.While district ELA proficiency rates are exceeding pre-pandemic levels, math scores have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels even with improvements in the subject.Extra intervention will additionally be needed for MSCS seventh-graders who showed dips in performance.“We want to engage, equip, and empower parents so that we can lift all students,” said Deputy MSCS Superintendent Angela Whitelaw. “We thank our educators and families for all their efforts last year, while acknowledging that we have continued work to do this year. The District remains focused on extending learning and extending gains.”

Hamilton County

Hamilton County students performed above the state average in 79 percent in test areas, including ELA, math, science, and social studies.Two key positives cited by the district are improvement in historically underserved areas and third-grade ELA proficiency where more than 40 percent of students proficiency for the first time since implementing the new ELA standards.The number of elementary school students who met or exceeded expectations also increased, with 12 percent exceeding and 30 percent meeting expectations.“It is powerful to see the hard work and dedication of our students and teachers reflected in this year's data,” said Hamilton County Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson. "We will continue to push students forward in their educational journeys with this data in mind as we embark on the new year and continue fostering student achievement."

Knox County

Knox County Schools not only exceeded state proficiency levels, but also increased proficiency from last year’s 39 percent to 41 percent.The number of students who have met or exceeded expectations has ELA scores has also increased with fewer than 21 percent of students scoring below expectations.