| Principals will discuss options, exemptions as TCAP scores analyzed JACKSON, Tenn. – Principals across the district are in the process of sharing with parents results from the TNReady-TCAP Achievement tests students completed in April. With the 2021 3rd grade retention law passed by Tennessee lawmakers using proficiency on TCAP English language arts (ELA) to determine promotion to the 4th grade, schools are working with families to determine options and exemptions. “Exemptions are available for students deemed approaching or below expectation, but the majority of those learners won’t qualify for those requirements. So it’s important for parents to respond to communications shared by their schools to seek additional options,” Deputy Superintendent Dr. Vivian Williams said. Students are placed in four different categories based on their Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) results: exceeds expectation, met expectation, approaching expectation and below expectation. Students approaching or below expectation on 3rd grade ELA will be retained unless the students are exempt or their parents agree to academic interventions. “Despite the hurdle this particular law creates, supports are in place for students to gain promotion to fourth grade. These include summer learning camps, retesting, and tutoring sessions,” said Chief Academic Officer for JMCSS Tiffany Spight. A total of 883 students participated in 3rd grade ELA TCAP testing. Additional data will be made available once preliminary scores are certified. More than 300 3rd graders are currently enrolled for summer learning camps next month. “Our third grade parents are urged to respond to communications sent by the schools over the next couple of days. We want to make sure every third grader who desires to attend summer learning camp is able to do so,” Dr. Williams said. ### |
