Nashville’s fourth-graders slightly outpace state average for improvements in reading

Stock image of a multiple choice test

Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) is reporting similar reading gains as the state averages announced yesterday, for both third and fourth-graders.

District fourth-graders posted a 38 percent proficiency rate on state assessments for English language arts (ELA). That’s 3.3 percent higher than last year and the growth exceeds the state’s 2.9 percent ELA improvement average. Additionally, the district saw a 4.8-point reduction in fourth-graders testing below proficiency, decreasing from 24 percent in 2023 to 19.2 percent in 2024.

Much like the state, MNPS third-graders held fairly steady on state assessments with 31.3 percent testing proficient in ELA.  Last year 31.1 percent of third-graders tested proficient.  The percentage of third-graders testing below state standards dropped by 1.9 percent in the district.

“I’m proud of the work of our students, parents, teachers, and staff who have helped to move the needle for our students and ensure continued progress for our district,” said MNPS Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle. “I very much look forward to the release of more TCAP data later this month to show our strategies for success are paying off for students across the board at MNPS.”

The third and fourth-grade proficiency assessments are taking on extra importance under the state’s Third-Grade Retention Law.

Third-grade students who are not considered proficient in reading must attend summer school and or tutoring during fourth grade to advance further. Fourth-grade students impacted by the law last year must also show “adequate growth” on state testing this year to be promoted to fifth grade. In addition, fourth graders who fail to show growth in reading on TCAP tests can qualify to advance to the fifth grade if there’s agreement from parents and educators, under legislation that passed in April.

District results are generated based on state guidelines and preliminary student scores. Official 2024 TCAP data, including additional grade levels, will be provided by the Tennessee Department of Education later.