The Tennessee Department of Education released district-level TCAP retake data Wednesday, showing improvement in ELA proficiency among Memphis-Shelby County Schools third graders.

Approximately 8.1% of MSCS third graders who retook the test exceeded or met proficiency, meaning they will be able to move to the fourth grade for the 2023-2024 school year, while 11.7% improved to “approaching proficiency” from “below proficiency.”

Germantown has Tennessee’s highest third grade language arts proficiency

Prior to the retake, 23.6% of district third graders were proficient in ELA according to their April 2023 TCAP scores. Approximately 42% scored below proficiency.

Students who scored “approaching proficiency” on the retake now have the option to appeal to the TDOE. Only students who scored “approaching proficiency” have a chance to appeal to the department in order to move on to the fourth grade. 

Students in the “approaching proficiency” category also have other pathways to fourth grade promotion. They must attend and maintain 90% attendance at a summer learning camp and show adequate growth on a post-test or receive tutoring during the upcoming school year. 

Students that scored below proficiency must do both. 

Exemptions from the third grade retention law include English learners with less than two years of ELA instruction, students previously retained in grades K-3, a student with a disability that impacts reading or a suspected disability that impacts reading. 

TCAP test: More than 75% of MSCS third graders are behind