Learning Acceleration

In 2021, the Tennessee General Assembly updated state law to ensure all students have the support they need to read and perform on grade level.

Specifically, all school districts and public charter schools must use phonics instruction, high-quality materials, and administer an approved universal reading screener three times a year to all students in grades K-3 and provide a home literacy report. Additionally, all school districts and public charter schools now offer free reading supports and resources, summer programming, and small-group tutoring.

For some 3rd grade students in Tennessee, this updated law requires the student and their family to make some important decisions. Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, 3rd grade students who receive “approaching” or “below” on the English Language Arts (ELA) section of the TCAP assessment are able to get important learning supports from their school for free to ensure they are ready to move on to the 4th grade.

If a student’s family does not wish to take advantage of these supports, which are outlined below, the student will be retained to 3rd grade the following school year and will not be promoted to 4th grade.  However, the following students are exempt from 3rd grade retention: English learners with less than two years of ELA instruction, students previously retained in grades K-3, students with a disability that impacts reading or students with a suspected disability that impacts reading.

Your student’s school will notify you if your student is identified for retention and will provide information to you about the pathways that are available to your student to be able to move to 4th grade, including free summer camps and/or tutoring supports.

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Parent Appeals

If a 3rd grade student scores "approaching expectations" on the ELA portion of the TCAP or ELA TCAP retake, the child's parent may submit an appeal within the designated appeal timeline upon receiving the retention decision from their child's school. Authorized school personnel (principal, guidance counselor, teacher, or other administrator) may also file an appeal on behalf of a parent if written consent is received.

The appeals window is now closed. Please contact your child's school to get information about the available pathways to fourth grade promotion, which may include summer camp and tutoring.

Universal Reading Screener

Reading is the foundation for all learning, and reading proficiently by 3rd grade is a critical milestone for every student.

As part of the updated state law, school districts and public charter schools are required to offer an approved universal reading screener three times a year to students in grades K-3 and provide families with a home literacy report to share their student's reading progress.

Contact your child's school to learn more about the screener administered in your district.

TN ALL Corps Tutoring

For students that need additional support, Tennessee Accelerating Literacy and Learning Corps (TN ALL Corps) tutoring is available for students in grades 1-8.

Tutoring is focused on reading and math takes place in small groups for 30-45 minutes, two to three times per week during the entire semester.

Each participating school district across the state has customized the structure of their tutoring program to fit within their school community.

3rdgrade students who do not receive "exceeds" or "meets" expectations on the ELA section of the TCAP assessment can participate in the TN ALL Corps tutoring program in their school district during their 4th grade year.

To sign your child up for TN ALL Corps, contact your district.

Summer Camps

During the summer, rising kindergartners through rising 9th graders can also participate in the summer camps offered over the course of four weeks, providing students with extra time to learn
literacy and math in small groups with individualized attention.

The structure, dates and logistics of each summer camp is determined by each individual district.

Third grade students who do not receive "exceeds" or "meets" expectations on the ELA section of the TCAP assessment can attend the summer camp in their district to be promoted to the 4th grade.