Tennessee has implemented a new law requiring third graders who cannot read proficiently to be retained, aiming to address the severe learning loss caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. While some parents question the effectiveness of retention, studies have shown that extra support for retained students can lead to substantial gains in reading skills. However, critics argue that retention can have short-lived academic gains and increase dropout rates and bullying. Tennessee's law includes conditions for promotion, such as passing a retake of the test, attending summer school, and receiving tutoring. The long-term impact of the law is yet to be measured, but a similar law in Mississippi has shown promise in improving literacy outcomes.
Despite improvements in English Language Arts (ELA) test results, nearly 60% of third-grade students in Tennessee did not meet or exceed expectations on the ELA test for the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) tests. A new state law meant to keep students reading at grade level decides whether a third-grader will automatically go on to the next grade based on their test results. Parents have a few options for their children if they are at risk of not being promoted to the fourth grade.
The Tennessee Department of Education has released district-level TCAP average scores for third grade ELA from the spring 2023 TCAP administration to support family decision-making. The department also shared multiple pathways to support student promotion to fourth grade. 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.
A loaded gun was found in the backpack of a third-grade student at Stocking Elementary School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, marking the fourth time this school year that a young student has brought a gun to a school building in the Grand Rapids Public Schools district. The gun was confiscated and the student was removed from the school building. District leaders are convening to discuss changes in school safety protocol, and a press conference was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. The district has scheduled a school safety meeting for May 20 to address the topic of guns in schools.
Third grade is a crucial year for students to master reading, but pandemic-related school interruptions have made it much harder. In Atlanta, where most students are behind in reading, the district has added 30 minutes of class time a day for three years to help teachers tailor lessons to small groups of students based on their abilities. However, some students are still struggling, and teachers are concerned about their ability to catch up. Research shows that students who don't read fluently by third grade are less likely to complete high school, and those who don't graduate are more likely to end up in prison.
A bill is advancing in Tennessee that would reduce the number of third graders at risk of retention due to low reading proficiency. The bill would allow schools to use multiple measures of academic progress, in addition to reading proficiency, to determine whether a student should be promoted to fourth grade. This would give students who may struggle with reading but excel in other subjects a better chance of advancing to the next grade.
