Parents of students at risk for retention under the state’s new Third-Grade Retention Law may be able to file an appeal starting today.¶
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) will be accepting appeals on the state’s official site from May 30 to June 30 for students who meet the necessary criteria.¶
Students who tested at the "approaching proficiency” level on the English language arts section of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) can qualify for an appeal if either of these criteria have been met:¶
- Their student received a score at or above the 40th percentile on their spring universal reading screener. TDOE will pull this from data reported to the state by your district using the student’s state ID.
- A catastrophic situation, such as a death in the immediate family, loss of a family home, or significant medical diagnosis, occurred during the days leading up to the TCAP test that impacted the third-grade student’s ability to perform on the test.
TDOE will notify each parent and district of the determination. Students whose parents submit the appeal form may not be prioritized to receive free tutoring or summer school programming to support them if the appeal is approved.¶
In 2021, the Tennessee General Assembly passed the Third-Grade Retention Law to ensure students who showed they need additional support in reading on the TCAP would receive it before being promoted to fourth grade.¶
Last week, the state released TCAP data showing 60% of third graders scored "below" or "approaching" proficiency on the test. Those students who aren’t exempt will need to attend summer programs and possibly tutoring or be approved for an appeal to advance to the fourth-grade.¶
The new law’s impact created strong reactions from parents, teachers, and lawmakers across the state, including a leading supporter in East Tennessee.¶
Senator Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol) told Tri-Cities TV station WCYB that 60 percent of third-graders scoring below proficient is unsatisfactory.¶
“You shouldn't be concerned on what did we do as a legislative body setting a policy out,” said Senator Lundberg to WCYB. “Your concern should be directed toward schools and why aren't our students being educated so that at third grade, they are reading at grade level,” said Senator Lundberg.¶
Districts offered TCAP retakes for students who didn’t qualify as exempt from retention over the course of last week. Non-exempt students will also be able to advance if they meet the 90% attendance and proof of improvement requirements for summer school and/or they partake in TN ALL Corps tutoring in the fourth grade.¶
If a student’s family chooses to opt out of the supports, the student will not be promoted to fourth-grade.¶
