Parents react to early TCAP scores as re-testing phase begins & retention hangs in the balance
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — This week, educators in Tennessee began receiving what they called “quick scores” for third and fourth graders who took the TCAPs earlier this spring. Teachers had to quickly evaluate those scores and then notify students who scored below or approaching expectations on the ELA portion about retaking the test.
Wednesday, the re-take window opened. And while some schools were still in session for the re-test, others, like in Sullivan County, were already out for the summer and had to ask students to come back to school to take the test.
If those students underperform in the re-test, they have a few choices in order to be promoted to fourth grade. Those include tutoring or summer school. In Kingsport, school officials say they used benchmark testing throughout the year to estimate those summer school numbers to be prepared.
“Those plans actually began to be formulated many weeks ago,” said Andy True, assistant superintendent of Kingsport City Schools. “We sit down with curriculum, transportation, nutrition directors and school administrators. Summer school is ran by associate principals and they’re working on that, really, as we go through the whole spring.”
For fourth graders, the path is a little less clear right now. Fourth-graders like Tripp Stephens are in limbo until July. Although he made passing grades all year on his schoolwork, he said he struggled with the TCAP ELA test.
“I do good with grades, but with that one final test, my mind is blown; I’m scared, I’m shaking and then I’m just done,” he said.
Because he didn’t do well on the third grade TCAP, Tripp was tutored all year and had to show “adequate growth” on his fourth grade test in order to be promoted to fifth grade. His mom said teachers told her just Wednesday he did not pass the test, but no one will know if he did show that “adequate growth” needed until the state notifies his school on July first.
“Now get get to go through half the summer wondering what do we need to prepare for,” said mother Kimberly Stephens.
Once those scores are back, instead of the automatic retention originally written in the law for fourth graders, Tripp’s family and educators will confer about what’s best for him before deciding. That change was just enacted last month by lawmakers.
But Tripp’s mom told News Channel 11 that even if the school says he needs to be held back, she won’t do it and will choose homeschooling instead.
“I don’t feel like his classwork and his grades in school are a reflection of him doing 4h grade again,”
The Tennessee Department of Education has embargoed numbers of those facing retention in third and fourth grade until June 24.
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