Tennessee ninth-graders nearly back to pre-pandemic levels in math

Stock image of a math equation (Photo by Pexels)

An analysis of math testing scores by the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) found Tennessee’s ninth-graders are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels

21.6 percent of those ninth-graders scored proficient on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) tests last spring in Algebra I (or Integrated Math). That’s up from 17.9 percent last year and just a hair behind the 21.8 percent proficiency rate in 2019 according to the SCORE analysis.

Research has found success in Algebra I by the grade 9 is predictive of future outcomes like high school graduation, college, and job readiness.

Graphic by SCORE

The Tennessee Department of Education released this math testing data this week. The department delayed its release from other TCAP results while the state was completing its math standards setting process

Students score into one of four categories on the TCAP including below proficient, approaching proficient, met proficiency, and exceeding proficiency.

SCORE research found ninth-graders in the below proficiency category decreased by nearly half this year to 32.1 percent compared to 58.9 percent last year, possibly due in part to the changing state standars.

Despite the positive news, there are still gaps for historically disadvantaged students.

Graphic by SCORE

Black (11 percent) and Hispanic (15 percent) student proficiency are more than 10 points below the 27.2 percent proficiency for White students. Additionally, just 10.6 percent of economically disadvantaged student were proficient. That’s 15 points below their peers.

English language learners scored a proficiency rate of 5.8 percent and students with disabilities were 3.4 percent.

Female students performed slightly better than their male counterparts with a proficiency rate of 22.2 percent compared to 20.9 percent.