Tennesseans for Student Success Thursday released the following statement by Executive Director Jeremy Harrell on TCAP results:
“We’re thrilled that this year, Tennessee students again showed dramatic gains in achievement across all grade levels. And over the past five years the results are even more impressive – 131,000 more students are proficient or advanced at grade level in math, and nearly 60,000 more students are proficient or advanced in science.
“We’ve raised the bar for student achievement in Tennessee, and students and teachers are proving they can meet that challenge. Students continue to make rapid improvement. Two years ago, Tennessee was the fastest improving state for African American and Hispanic students, and that trend has continued this year with the achievement gap closing by 8.5 percent in Algebra II alone.
"While we're encouraged by the growth at the 8th grade level, we clearly still have a lot of work to do overall on reading proficiency.
“It is critical that we continue to push forward with student focused education policies that truly promote learning and critical thinking. Tennessee students are achieving real success. Going backwards now would be completely unacceptable.”
The State Collaborative on Reforming Education President and CEO Jamie Woodson released this statement. "For the fifth year, Tennessee students have demonstrated strong academic growth on TCAP, especially in math and science. It’s clear that the hard work of teachers, parents, policymakers, and community leaders is helping Tennessee students achieve more.
"This year’s statewide gains were particularly impressive in high school, with more students proficient in all seven tested subjects. This progress is crucial to postsecondary and workforce readiness and the TN Promise and Drive to 55 initiatives.
"The growth in Tennessee student proficiency over the past five years is particularly impressive. Since 2011, the percentage of students who are proficient or advanced has increased in every tested subject. The majority of Tennessee students are now proficient or above in 3-8 math and science, algebra I and II, biology, and English I and II. This is an amazing success story.
"Now Tennessee should move to meet the challenge of matching the notable math and science progress with faster improvement in reading and literacy. SCORE is eager to collaborate with education partners to identify the right levers for ensuring more Tennessee students learn the reading and writing skills essential to success after high school.
"The TNReady assessment that launches next year replaces the 25-year-old TCAP and is designed to better measure important real-world skills, like critical thinking and problem solving. TNReady should give teachers and parents even better insight on how to help more students, especially those with disabilities and those still learning English, become proficient in the most important subjects.
"We have always believed that all Tennessee students can rise to the challenge of high expectations, and the results from TCAP, ACT, and the Nation’s Report Card show they are. Higher standards, stronger leadership, and better preparation, evaluation, and training for teachers have been great for student learning. Staying focused on what is best for students has created a five-year streak we can work together to keep going."
Other gains in TCAP reported this year:
Grades 3-8 math proficiency increased more than 4 percent over last year, and more than 14 percent over the past five years.
Algebra I proficiency increased more than 3 percent over last year, and nearly 19 percent over the past five years.
Algebra II proficiency increased more than 6 percent over last year, and more than 23 percent over the past five years.
Historically underserved minority groups made gains in all high school subjects, closing the achievement gap.
While reading scores were flat this year, students in 8th grade posted an almost 4 percent improvement over last year, and an 8 percent improvement over the past five years.