2023 TCAP scores show wide ethnic gaps for third graders, pandemic rebound

Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean

June 29, 2023 at 4:52 PM·4 min read

Statewide scores for the 2023 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program were released Thursday as heightened scrutiny around third graders continues due to a new reading and retention law.

The law, which took effect this year, used the English language arts section of the TCAP as the sole measure for determining whether third graders were proficient in reading. Those scores were released May 19 for third graders, setting off a fast-moving timeline for parents and schools to schedule retakes, apply exemptions, file appeals, and enroll third graders in summer school or tutoring to avoid holding them back from fourth grade.

While roughly 60% of third graders fell short of the state's reading proficiency standard, it's not clear how many will ultimately be retained after exemptions, summer school and appeals unfold.

Not a reading proficiency test': 'TN parents, experts question TCAP use in third grade law

A third grade student works on an English language arts assignment at Dodson Elementary School on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. The student is part of Promising Scholars, the Metro Nashville Public Schools summer program.

Overall scores across all grades posted gains in each category tested: English language arts, math, science and social studies. State leaders touted the progress, especially as they work to continue the fight against pandemic learning loss. This year's scores largely match or surpass pre-pandemic levels.

“Tennessee’s strategic education investments have resulted in encouraging gains for students across every subject and grade, including strong reading improvements,” Gov. Bill Lee said in a Thursday news release from the Tennessee Department of Education.

The scores were released via an online dashboard that can be found at TDEpublicschools.ondemand.sas.com/state/assessment.

The newly-released statewide scores offer additional insights into how third graders fared across all subjects. It also included data on demographics, students facing economic disadvantages, English language learners and students with disabilities.

Last year: 2022 Tennessee student reading scores 'largely back to pre-pandemic levels'

A closer look at third grade TCAP English language arts scores

All ethnicities and student groups saw gains in English language arts across third graders. However, wide gaps still exist between how Black and Hispanic students performed compared to their peers. Students who are economically disadvantaged, English learners and students with disabilities also lagged behind their peers.

Overall, roughly 40% of Tennessee third graders scored as proficient in English language arts. Asian students far outscored their peers, with a 65.2% proficiency rate. Black students had the lowest proficiency rate at 24.4%.

A student who scores as "meets" or "exceeds" expectations is considered proficient, while students who score as "approaching" or "below" expectations are not. Here's a closer look at how third grade English language arts scores break down.

English language arts, by ethnicity

All students: 40.5% proficient / 59.5% not proficient
American Indian or Alaska native: 44.9% proficient / 55.1% not proficient
Asian: 65.2% proficient / 34.8% not proficient
Black or African American: 24.4% proficient / 75.6% not proficient
Hispanic: 27.3% proficient / 72.7% not proficient
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 47.4% proficient / 52.6% not proficient
White: 48.8% proficient / 51.2% not proficient

English language arts, by student group

All students: 40.5% proficient / 59.5% not proficient
Economically disadvantaged: 22.8% proficient / 77.2% not proficient
*English learners: 20.2% proficient / 79.8% not proficient
Students with disabilities: 14.4% proficient / 85.6% not proficient

*English learners are denoted as "transitional" students, ranked from levels 1-4.

Statewide scores post gains across all categories

The statewide data includes scores in English language arts, math, science and social studies. Across all grades, math scores showed the greatest gains from last year, while English language arts and science showed smaller increases. Social studies scores stayed nearly the same.

Interim education commissioner Sam Pearcy said TCAP data offers a valuable glimpse into student achievement and informs what's needed to help Tennessee kids move forward.

“Now, we must stay focused on strong implementation, strong academic instruction and continue to use data to help accelerate learning for all students," Pearcy said in the release.

From 2022: See how Middle Tennessee school districts fared on last year's TNReady tests

The release also compared this year's scores to data from the 2020-21 school year, which was deeply affected by the coronavirus pandemic. All four categories saw improvement. Compared to 2021, the scores that have marked the largest gains were in English language arts and math, with more modest gains in science and social studies.

"Together, district and school leaders, educators, families and elected officials have made tremendous efforts to support learning, close achievement gaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerate learning," the release said.

Here's a look at a how this year's statewide scores break down in comparison to 2022 and 2021 scores.

We've also included a few helpful visuals that include previous years.

English language arts

2023: 38.1% proficient / 61.9% not proficient
2022: 36.5% proficient / 63.5% not proficient
2021: 29.8% proficient / 70.2% not proficient

Math

2023: 34% proficient / 66% not proficient
2022: 30.8% proficient / 69.2% not proficient
2021: 25.9% proficient / 74.1% not proficient

Science

2023: 43.2% proficient / 56.8% not proficient
2022: 39.8% proficient / 60.2% not proficient
2021: 38.3% proficient / 61.7% not proficient

Social studies

2023: 43.2% proficient / 56.8% not proficient
2022: 42.7% proficient / 57.3% not proficient
2021: 36.7% proficient / 63.3% not proficient

Areena Arora contributed to this story.

Reach reporter Rachel Wegner at RAwegner@tennessean.com or find her on Twitter @RachelAnnWegner.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN third graders: TCAP scores reveal wide gaps, pandemic rebound

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A closer look at third grade TCAP English language arts scores

Statewide scores post gains across all categories

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