The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) released the 2022-23 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) district-level results. TCAP provides insight into how school districts are performing across the state.
TDOE reported 68 out of 141 public school districts had 38.7 percent of students’ scores “met expectations” or “exceeded expectations” across all grades and subjects tested. An additional 19 districts reported 50 percent of students scored in the “met” or “exceeded” categories. Only nine districts failed to increase overall proficiency rates compared to last school year, while 107 increased those rates compared to the 2019-20 school year.
Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) outpaced the state’s growth in seven out of eight categories. They also recorded their highest achievement score ever.
“We have a philosophy here at MNPS, which is to know where you are, but don’t stay there,” said Dr. Adrienne Battle. “We celebrate this growth and progress while knowing that it is another brick in the foundation towards overall achievement and success that will result in better outcomes in college, career, and life for the students we serve.”
While the state’s second-largest district did see growth in its scores, they continue to lag behind state averages in achievement. The state average in English language Arts (ELA) proficiency for all three grade levels was 38 percent; Metro Nashville was 28.5 percent. The current gap of 10 percent between MNPS and the state has remained consistent at 10 points since 2017.
The state average in math was 33.8 percent, with MNPS at 22.5 percent. Once again, the gap between the state and the two large urban districts has remained relatively consistent since 2017.
Over the past several years, MNPS has focused on creating equity and addressing student achievement gaps. This year’s scores do not reflect that commitment. In ELA, only 19.6 percent of black students and 19.6 percent of Hispanic students met or exceeded expectations. In the case of white students, 51.1 percent hit the mark.
The numbers were even lower in math, with 14.0 percent of black students and 15.7 percent of Hispanic students meeting or exceeding expectations. Their white counterparts had 42.4 percent met or exceeded expectations. Overall, only 22.5 percent of MNPS scored proficient in math.
Former Tennessee Assistant Commissioner of Education Mary Batiwalla told The Tennessee Star, “It is encouraging to see the rate of improvement returning to pre-pandemic levels.”
“However,” the assessment expert added, “It is concerning that the overall proficiency rates show less than half of all students meeting grade-level standards.”
This year, district-level TCAP assessment data is available on a new interactive dashboard on the State Report Card labeled “2023 District Assessment.” The new section helps visualize TCAP assessment results to better understand the 2023 TCAP performance.
The new state report card provides further information to users.
Chronic absenteeism is defined as the percentage of students who miss 10 percent of instructional days during a school year. This year, MNPS has 29.7 percent of its students chronically out of school. That rate is down .1 percent from last year and considerably higher than pre-pandemic when it was 16 percent. The state average is 20.3 percent.
In discipline, out-of-school suspensions remain at around 8 percent, consistent with the last five years. In-school suspensions are up slightly at 5.8 percent.
MNPS’s graduation rate also remains consistent at 82 percent. The state average is 88.7 percent.
For the state of Tennessee, overall, the 2022-23 TCAP student participation rate increased from last year, with 92 districts achieving a 99% participation rate and 29 districts achieving a 100% participation rate.
Families can check their student results through the state’s TCAP Family Portal.
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TC Weber is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. He also writes the blog Dad Gone Wild. Follow TC on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]. He’s the proud parent of two public school children and the spouse of a public school teacher.
