Tennessee lawmakers vote to ease fourth-grade retention law
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — On the last day of their session this year, Tennessee lawmakers voted to change how fourth graders can be retained based on their TCAP scores. The bill is now awaiting Governor Bill Lee’s signature.
An estimated six thousand 4th graders across the state, fifty-five in Kingsport, were in danger of automatic retention if they didn’t show adequate improvement on the English Language Arts (ELA) portion of the test from third grade.
State Rep. Rebecca Alexander was a co-sponsor of the bill and explains that now, three parties will be involved in the decision on whether or not to retain.
“This bill would allow them to meet with the principal, the parents, or the guardian and then the teacher and say what this child needs. Does the child need to stay back another year or does this child need to move forward,” she explained.
Dr. Holly Flora, the Chief Academic Officer of Elementary Education for Kingsport City Schools, says that while educators are happy with the bill, they feel the decision to retain a student should never have been taken away from those closest to the child or based on one test score.
“We are still very grieved at the third-grade retention law,” she said. “In fact, there are higher dropout rates for students who are retained, higher incarceration rates and their academic progress usually slows after that.”
Those students who, after a conference with the three parties, are advanced to the fifth grade will again be required to receive tutoring through the school year, and Dr. Flora hopes state funding for the tutoring will continue because she said it is helping.
“We are seeing improvements for students who are in tutoring, of course. We’re doing extra support during the school day and trying to provide as much support as we can,” she adds.
A parent told News Channel 11 that while they are relieved that the bill has passed, it doesn’t make up for the stress and anxiety she and her fourth-grade son have experienced all year leading up to the test.
TCAP scores are expected to be sent to schools by the third week of May.
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