01/28/2023
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EDUCATORS, PARENTS PUSH FOR LEGISLATIVE FIX TO DAMAGING THIRD-GRADE RETENTION LAW | How much should 80 minutes of state standardized testing determine whether an 8 or 9 year-old child can read and be promoted? This question is front and center with state lawmakers.
As the General Assembly begins its session, the chief question asked of TEA by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle is “what are we going to do about the third-grade retention law?”
Several bills have already been filed to change or repeal the law. TEA is working to return decision making on retention to where it belongs: with the professionals working directly with students.
The law requires third graders who score below state cut scores on the TCAP ELA to be held back, unless the students attend summer school and pass an additional assessment, or the parents appeal to the state bureaucracy. Spikes in students being held back have occurred in other states who have passed this type of retention law, including Mississippi and Alabama.
The legislation passed when lawmakers equated any score below “on track” for third grade TCAP ELA with a student’s inability to read.
“The law overrules the professional judgment of teachers and building leaders who work with these students every day,” said TEA President Tanya Coats. “Educators use many methods to gauge reading skills and comprehension, and the TCAP is just one such measure. Any elementary teacher will tell you, using multiple measures is key for younger students.”
Coats noted the TCAP ELA, the first standardized test children take, is 80 minutes long and is far different than any education experience students have had.
“What has been overlooked is that the third grade TCAP also measures 8- and 9-year-olds’ test taking skills, ability to stay on task, independent action and other ELA standards that have little to do with reading,” Coats said.
The retention law is the most important topic at the start of the legislative session.
WE ASK EVERY MEMBER TO PLAN ON COMING TO THE TENNESSEE CAPITOL ON THE TUESDAY OF YOUR SPRING BREAK AS PART OF THE TEA CIVICATION.
Sharing your professional perspective on the third-grade retention law with your legislators will make the most impact in our campaign to fix it.
