Fourth-graders show reading gains on state assessments while third-graders hold steady

Photo of children (Photo by Tennessee Department of Education)

Tennessee's fourth-graders showed noticeable improvements in reading this year while third-graders' scores held steady. That's according to a Thursday announcement from the Tennessee Department of Education, releasing the 2024 Tennessee Comprehensive Academic Program (TCAP) English Language Arts (ELA) scores.

Fourth-grade students achieved a 2.9 percentage point increase in reading proficiency on the TCAP, with 46.4 percent scoring proficient. Officials noted that third grade improvement remained steady, with a slight increase to 40.9 percent considered proficient. About 59 percent of third-grade students and 53 percent of fourth-grade students in Tennessee fell short of proficiency.Despite progress to be made, the announcement noted that fewer fourth grade students scored in the “below expectations” proficiency performance level than ever before.

"Tennessee's strategic education investments have resulted in significant gains in reading for students across the state," Gov. Bill Lee said in a public statement. "As we continue our work to ensure that all Tennessee students can read at grade level, we remain committed to supporting teachers and empowering families with multiple pathways to achievement so every student can thrive in their academic journey."

The announcement comes after school districts have waited anxiously for the test results to determine whether and how third and fourth grade students can advance to the next grade. 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.

At Memphis-Shelby County Schools, third graders recorded a 3 percent increase in ELA proficiency, while fourth graders recorded a nearly 2 percent increase. According to a district news release emailed to Tennessee Firefly, a total of 26.6 percent of third graders met or exceeded proficiency on the test, while nearly 29 percent of fourth graders reached that benchmark.

Despite some notable progress in improving reading proficiency, the announcement said school officials in the Memphis-Shelby County district “will not be satisfied until all students are reading at or above grade level.”

"Literacy is the anchor to the success that our 110,000 students deserve to experience," said Superintendent Dr. Marie N. Feagins. "Thus, these data further support the need to direct more District resources directly to classrooms with a targeted emphasis on a comprehensive literacy approach at every grade level."

Among the school districts reporting significant improvement is Knox County Schools, where more than 43 percent of third- graders and more than 50 percent of fourth- graders met or exceeded the expectations on the most recent English Language Arts TCAP assessment. That's up from the 42.9 percent of third-graders achieving reading proficiency last year and 38.3 percent two years ago. In fourth grade, reading proficiency rose from 47.8 percent last year and 45.1 percent two years ago.

Officials said the results mark the “lowest percent of KCS students in third and fourth grade scoring below or approaching on record.”

“Our staff and students have worked hard and remained focused on our four priorities, and you’re seeing the results of that hard work and dedication in these results,” Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk said of the progress made.