Amanda R. Curtis, Reporter

With 352 students gracing the halls of Lewis County Intermediate School, a majority of those will be sweating in a way the other Lewis County students won't be, because they've already been through it.

The chewing of gum while studying, the wearing of the same color shirt for every study session as well as during the actual test, the lucky penny in the pants pocket, and the extra sharpened pencils lined perfectly across the top of the desk. While most students are breathing a sigh of relief, the third and fourth graders are holding their breath in hopes of passing the TCAP, because for them it means the passing/failing of 3rd or 4th grade!

Last year's TCAP Scores really shone a local light on the hard work everyone is putting into the preparation of these tests.

"Lewis County is excited to see increases in student achievement locally and across the state," said Tracy McAbee, Director of Schools, Lewis County Schools. "It's clear that our students are reaping the benefits of the hard work Tennessee teachers have demonstrated over the past several years."

In 2023, while the average achievement rate for all grades in the state was 38.2%, students and teachers were putting in extra hours after school with tutoring, and because of this, Lewis County Intermediate School's Achievement Rate was 48.9%. Nearly 10 points higher than the state average! We agree, that's certainly something to brag about, Dr. McAbee.

TCAP Testing is set for April 15-30, and educators are eager to find out if their proactive approach will pay off for the students who took advantage of the extra help. Lewis County Intermediate School educators offered to stay after school throughout the year to help tutor students preparing for these next two weeks. Last year's testing showed 60% of third graders fell short of the state's reading benchmark. However, those students were given options to work their way out of being held back. After exemptions, TCAP testing retakes, months of summer school, the appeal process, and tons of unique growth approaches, only 1.2% or 900 of 2022/23 third graders were held back. There are three exceptions for third graders (whose scores fell short) to be able to move on to fourth without conditions. Accord to the State's website, 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

For this 2024 TCAP season, the law states:

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 22-31

* Enroll in summer school, meet 90% attendance and show adequate growth

* Have a free state-provided tutor for the entirety of fourth grade CONT'D ON PAGE B1

And, 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 22-31

* Enroll in summer school with 90% attendance rate and have a free state-provided tutor for the entirety of fourth grade

The State Board of Education defines "adequate growth" 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.

Currently, there are no exceptions for fourth graders. A proposed amendment to the reading law may take effect by the end of the month, but as it is currently, there are no exceptions for the 12,000 fourth graders who opted into yearlong tutoring who must now show "adequate growth."Fourth graders enrolled in tutoring under the reading law must either score as "meeting" or "exceeding" expectations, or show adequate growth on the English language arts section of their spring TCAP.

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.

Schools will send home TCAP Scores information with each student by the end of the year.

To All Students and Educators This Week, we say: You've got this! Remember to Breath, and Enjoy the Journey!