NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Education released district-level TCAP average scores for third-grade ELA from the spring 2023 TCAP administration. Access the 2023 TCAP ELA average scores for each district HERE.

On Monday, May 22nd, the department released statewide averages for third-grade TCAP ELA scores ahead of previous years’ timelines, highlighting historic gains in third-grade reading after the launch of a new, comprehensive K-3 literacy strategy for Tennessee public schools. The department also shared multiple pathways to support student promotion to fourth grade.

On Friday, May 19th, individual student ELA scores for third graders were shared with Tennessee school districts, which are responsible for communicating with families about their student’s scores and pathways to fourth-grade promotion, including the TCAP retake opportunity, parent appeal free summer camp and/or tutoring in the upcoming school year.

Third-grade students who scored “below” or “approaching” are eligible and will be prioritized for these supports, although some students may meet certain exceptions outlined in the law.

Legislation passed by Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly, the grades eligible for all summer learning camps have been expanded to rising kindergarten through 9th-grade students, which are meant to support students who will benefit from additional learning supports and meet the participation requirements for promotion to fourth grade. In the coming weeks, districts and schools will work with families to determine the best pathway for their students.

Families of students scoring “approaching” on the TCAP or TCAP retest also have the option to request an appeal of a local retention decision on behalf of their third-grade student. The form to submit an appeal for the department’s consideration will be HERE and opens May 30, 2023, and closes June 30, 2023.

Families can find critical timeline information posted on the department’s website and should coordinate with their student’s schools to ensure they can make informed decisions about their student’s education. The annual, full TCAP release, including all grades and subjects for state-level and district-level results, will be released in separate announcements later this summer.