Latest news with #TennesseeDepartmentofEducation
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
TCAP scores 2025: Tennessee students make strides in math, science
Tennessee students posted year-over-year gains in math and science scores on the 2025 state standardized test, and also saw improvements for some grades in English language arts and social studies. The Tennessee Education Department of Education highlighted several data points in a July 8 news release, comparing last year's scores with this year. Here's what it included: Most tested grades increased proficiency in English language arts. English I and English II scores saw around a 4 percentage point bump. Math proficiency increased across all grade levels. Sixth graders gained more than 5 percentage points. Statewide science proficiency grew by nearly 2 percentage points. As a whole, elementary and middle school students gained nearly 4 percentage points in social studies scores. In the release, Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds said she is encouraged by the progress students have made. She also praised the dedication of teachers, schools and districts. "This year's TCAP results reflect Tennessee's strong commitment to investing in our students' futures and the steady progress we're making statewide," Reynolds said. Spreadsheets with state- and district-level data were posted by the Tennessee Department of Education on July 8. However, the state report card is not yet updated with 2025 data. It typically provides further insights and analysis that compares TCAP data to previous years. TCAP scores fall under four categories: "below," "approaching," "meeting" and "exceeding" expectations. Metro Nashville Public Schools saw more students than ever who scored as "meeting" or "exceeding" expectations as a whole this year, according to a July 8 district news release. Additionally, the number of students who scored as "below" decreased across all tested areas, while the number of students who scored as "exceeding" increased across all tested subjects in district-run schools. The district also marked its highest scores in English language arts, math and social studies since state testing standards changed during the 2016-17 school year and in science since standards changed during the 2018-19 school year. When it comes to recovery from disruptions caused by the pandemic, MNPS said students have made significant progress, posting double-digit gains in English language arts, math, science and social studies. In the release, MNPS Director Adrienne Battle said this year's gains are a sign that the district's strategies and academic supports are paying off. "These results are the product of unwavering focus, hard work, and belief — in our students, in our teachers, and in what's possible," Battle said. More: How Tennessee kids fared on 2025 third grade reading test It's not yet clear when the Tennessee School Report Card, which includes visuals and analysis of state, district and school testing data, will update with the 2025 TCAP results. It can be found at The TCAP Family Portal will have individual student data later this month, according to state education department. It can be found at Downloadable TCAP assessment data for 2025 and previous years is available on the Tennessee Department of Education website at Scroll down to the "State Assessments" heading, then click "Assessment Files." This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee TCAP scores 2025: Students make strides in math, science
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
More than 38,000 applications for TN school vouchers submitted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Less than a week after applications for Tennessee's Education Freedom Scholarship Program opened, more than 38,000 have been submitted. The program, often referred to as school vouchers, opened applications on May 15. Severe weather likely this evening, multiple rounds expected, all threats possible During a January special session, state lawmakers approved the program, which uses public money to fund scholarships that families can use to help pay for tuition at private schools. There are 20,000 scholarships available in the first year of the program, each worth $7,295. On Tuesday morning, the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) stated in a news release that 38,160 applications have been submitted from people across the state. For the 2025-26 school year, 10,000 of the total scholarships will be reserved for students coming from households with a qualified income. The other half will be universal scholarships that are awarded to students regardless of their household's income. The TDOE reports that 18,852 applications were from families with a qualified income. According to the department, 19,308 applications were for universal scholarships. Schools that have registered to participate in the program and accept students using scholarships can be viewed on the Education Freedom Scholarship website. Families hoping to apply for the program can do so online. The TDOE is starting to review applications in the order they are received. Applicants will be notified by email regarding their application status. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tennessee school vouchers: Half of applicants request scholarships with income cap
Roughly half of those who have applied for Tennessee's taxpayer-funded school vouchers to offset private K-12 school costs put in for scholarships with income limits, according to the Tennessee Department of Education. As of May 19, more than 38,000 people applied for the newly launched vouchers, known as Education Freedom Scholarships, just four days after applications opened, a news release from the department stated. The program marks a statewide expansion to Tennessee's controversial school vouchers and offers 20,000 scholarships worth $7,295 for the 2025-26 school year. The first 10,000 are reserved for families who fall below an income threshold, have children with disabilities or received vouchers under Tennessee's previous program. The remaining 10,000 are open to all eligible students, regardless of income. The department said it received 18,852 applications for qualified income scholarships and 19,308 for universal scholarships as of May 19. It was not immediately clear if any applicants have been approved, including those who applied for the income-restricted scholarships. "The demand for universal school choice in Tennessee is strong, and families are embracing the freedom they have been provided through the Education Freedom Scholarship Program," Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds said in the release. "All students deserve the ability to access a learning environment that best fits their unique needs." The applicants so far span 300 zip codes, the release said. An average of 2,935 applications were submitted per grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade. Applications were still open as of May 20. They will be approved in the order they are received, but it will take some time for the department to process, approve and award the 20,000 vouchers, the release said. A waiting list will be established if additional scholarships become available. Applicants will receive updates from the email address Notifications@ More: TN private school voucher program gets over 33K applications for 20K spots within hours of opening As applications launched last week, parents reported mixed results on wait times, with some who were in the queue for hours as estimated wait times fluctuated wildly. Others were able to get through in a matter of minutes. Some said they received confirmation emails with the wrong child's name, but later received updates with the correct information. The department said it tested its website and system thoroughly to handle a large influx of traffic ahead of opening applications. It was not immediately clear when applications will close. Applications and more information can be found at Rachel Wegner covers education and children's issues for The Tennessean. Got a story you think she should hear? Reach her via email at RAwegner@ You can also find her on Twitter or Bluesky under the handle @RachelAnnWegner. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee school vouchers: How many listed income restrictions
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tennessee reading law: What to know as TCAP scores released, third graders face retention
The widespread effects of the Tennessee reading and retention law will be felt again this year for thousands of public school third and fourth graders and their families. The Tennessee Department of Education will release third grade results on the English language arts portion of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, or TCAP, to districts on May 20. That sets off a fast-moving timeline that will ultimately determine if third graders who fall short on the test will move on to fourth grade or be held back. Thousands of fourth graders who opted for yearlong tutoring to avoid retention last year are also affected by the law. Here's what parents need to know about navigating the implications of the law. Tennessee reading law: Less than 1% of third graders held back in 2024 The standardized TCAP test, also known as TNReady, was administered in April for Grades 3-5. Testing dates varied by district. TCAP scores are typically released in two waves over the summer and early fall each year. However, the Tennessee Department of Education will release some scores and data early for third and fourth graders affected by the reading law. English language arts scores for third graders will be released to districts on May 20 . Growth data for fourth graders will be released by July 1. It will be up to districts to relay that information to parents and legal guardians and inform them of next steps. In 2024, 60% of third graders fell short of the state's reading benchmark. That number does not factor in automatic exemptions. After exemptions, retakes, summer school and the appeal process all unfolded, less than 1% of last year's third graders were held back under the reading law, which totaled 655 students. The law also affects nearly 7,500 fourth graders who qualified and opted into yearlong tutoring to avoid retention last year. Those students must pass the English language arts section of this year's TCAP or meet an individualized growth goal set by the state. If they do not, their school must call a conference with the student's parent or guardian, English language arts teacher and school principal to determine if the child will be held back or move on to fifth grade with academic supports, including tutoring. 'Not a reading proficiency test': TN parents, experts question TCAP use in third grade law Yes. Some third graders whose scores fall short can move on to fourth grade without any further action. Those students include: English language learners who have received less than two years of English language arts instruction Those who were held back in a previous grade Students with disabilities or suspected disabilities that impact their literacy development It is up to the districts to sort out those students and inform parents. Try a TCAP practice test: See how Tennessee measures third grade reading Third graders who score as approaching proficiency must complete one of the following to move on to fourth grade: Retest and score on grade level, with a retest window of May 21-30 Enroll in summer school, meet 90% attendance and show adequate growth Have a free state-provided tutor for the entirety of fourth grade Additionally, third graders who scored at or above the 50th percentile on their spring reading screening test can also move on if they enroll in tutoring for the entirety of fourth grade. The State Board of Education defines "adequate growth" for third graders as a student scoring at least five percentage points higher on a post-summer school test than their baseline score. The baseline can be either their initial TCAP English language arts score or their retake score. Third graders who score as below proficiency have the following options to move on: Retest and score on grade level, with a retest window of May 21-30 Enroll in summer school with 90% attendance rate and have a free state-provided tutor for the entirety of fourth grade Retake scores will be given to districts within two days of testing. Retesting and summer school dates vary by district. Students who opt for fourth grade tutoring must demonstrate adequate growth on their TCAP the following spring to avoid possible retention or extra steps to advance to fifth grade. To move on to fifth grade with no additional steps, fourth graders who enrolled in tutoring under the reading law must either pass the English language arts section of the TCAP or reach an "adequate growth" goal. The state's formula for adequate growth for fourth graders factors in the student's English language arts score on the TCAP and the probability that they will eventually reach proficiency. The growth goal is individualized to each student. Adequate growth data will be sent out to districts by July 1. If fourth graders do not meet either benchmark, the next steps are up to the student's parents, English language arts teacher and principal. There is an appeal process for third graders who scored as approaching expectations and faced a catastrophic event that impacted their ability to perform on the TCAP. The appeal window will be open from May 28-June 27. Once parents and legal guardians are notified of a retention decision, they have 14 days to file the appeal. Authorized school personnel are also allowed to file an appeal on behalf of a parent or legal guardian. Final retention notifications will be made sometime in July and will vary by district. For students enrolled in summer programming, decisions must be relayed to parents within 10 calendar days of the first day of school. Decisions for students who are not in summer programming may be made sooner. Here are all the key dates in one place for 2025: May 20: English language arts TCAP scores for third graders released to districts May 21-May 30: Third grade English language arts TCAP retake window May 28-June 27: Appeal window for third graders By July 1: Adequate growth data for fourth grade students released to districts In July: Final retention notifications made, including for students who participated in summer programming Summer programming dates will vary by district. More information on the third grade reading and retention law from the Tennessee Department of Education can be found at This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee reading law: What to know as third grade TCAP scores released
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A Middle Tennessee school district announces early closure due to 'potential threat'
The Cheatham County School District in Tennessee is closing at 11 a.m. today "due to a potential threat," according to messages posted by the district on social media. Families were able to start pickups at 10:30 a.m. while buses will run their regular routes. The move is being made out "out of an abundance of caution," the district said in a Facebook post shortly after 10 a.m. All other district activities, including extended daycare, are canceled for the day. Ashland City, the Cheatham County seat, sits on the Cumberland River a little more than 30 miles west of Nashville. There are 14 elementary, middle and high schools in the Cheatham County district with 5,476 students enrolled during the 2023-2024 school year, according to the Tennessee Department of Education 2023-24 Report Card. "We believe it is in our best interest to close schools," the post from the district said. "We are working with the Tennessee office of Homeland Security and local law enforcement to determine the validity of this threat." The last day of school for Cheatham County is set for May 20. The Tennessean reached out to Cheatham County School District Communications Director Tim Adkins, who could not share any additional details beyond the public social media posts. "When more details are available, we will share additional information," Adkins said. This is a developing story. Check back for more details as they become available. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Cheatham Schools in TN closed due to 'potential threat,' officials say
