2023 TN Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act (3rd Grade Retention Law)

3RD GRADE RETENTION PARENT APPEAL FORM

THE WINDOW FOR FAMILIES TO SUBMIT AN APPEAL BEGINS MAY 30, 2023 AND ENDS JUNE 30, 2023. 
Click here for appeal form. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE 3RD GRADE RETENTION LAW (TCA 49-6-3115)

Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, a student in the third grade shall not be promoted to the next grade level unless the student is determined to be proficient in English language arts (ELA) based on the student achieving a performance level rating of “met expectations” or “exceeded expectations” on the ELA portion of the student's most recent Tennessee comprehensive assessment program (TCAP) test.
 
Based on the language of T.C.A. § 49-6-3115 (a), if a 3rd grade student does not take the TCAP or generate a score on the ELA portion of the TCAP and does not qualify for an exemption, the student shall be treated as if the student is not proficient in ELA.
 
Four (4) Performance Levels:
Proficient: Not Proficient:
► Exceeded Expectations (level 4) ► Approaching Expectations (level 2)
► Met Expectations (level 3) ► Below Expectations (level 1)
 

KCS PHILOSOPHY

KCS believes that each student’s reading ability should be reflective of more than one measure pulled from a state assessment.
► KCS uses multiple data points and observations to monitor student reading.
► KCS principals, teachers, and staff truly know each student individually and the progress each child is making.
► Most research clearly indicates that retention is often detrimental to children. Instead, it can be clearly linked to greater academic failure and even dropout rates later in life. 
► Therefore, KCS believes the decision for retention should be left to the families, teachers, and principals in KCS.
► School attendance every day is critical for all children.
 

KCS RESOURCES

Click the resolution and presentation links below for detailed information on pathways for promotion, how KCS instructs and supports reading, the TCAP English Language Arts format, Timeline, and additional resources...
 

To support districts, schools, and families, the department has developed several resources, including: 

KCS RESOURCES FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER (ELL) FAMILIES

To support districts, schools, and families, the department has developed several resources, including: 

 
Click one of the "Parent Meeting on the 3rd Grade Retention Law" presentations below in your language of choice...
 
 

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANXIETY AND WORRY

Below are some book recommendations that our KCS school counselors and librarians have put together around the topic of anxiety and worry for families to read and share with their children. 
  • Anxious Ninja - Mary Nhin
  • Don't Worry...Take Action! - Richard Biren
  • Help Your Dragon Deal With Anxiety - Steve Herman
  • Misuk and the Totally Stressed-Out Day - Etr Associates
  • Please Explain "Anxiety" To Me - Laurie and Jordan Zelinger
  • Scaredy Squirrel - Melanie Watt
  • Sometimes I'm Scared - Jane Annunziata and Marc Nemiroff
  • Wemberly Worried - Kevin Henkes
  • What to Do When You Worry Too Much - Dawn Huebner
  • When I Feel Afraid - Cheri J. Meiners
  • Wilma Jean the Worry Machine - Julia Cook
  • Why Do I Feel Scared? - Pat Thomas
  • When I'm Feeling Scared - Trace Moroney
  • Worry Ninja - Mary Nhin
 

SIGN OUR KCS ADVOCACY LETTER

Click here to sign your name to the open letter to Tennessee Legislators from Kingsport City Schools on behalf of our KCS families.
 

EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY

Legislators have heard from Educators now they would like to hear from families.
 
Legislative Contact Emails to Voice Your Concern:

Senator Jon Lundberg (Northeast Tennessee/Kingsport; Chairman of the Senate Education Committee)

[email protected]


Mark White (Chairman of the House Education Committee)

[email protected]

 

Nick Crawford (Majority Caucus Advisor, Tennessee House of Representatives)

[email protected]

 

Bud Hulsey (Sullivan County/Kingsport Representative)

[email protected]


Tim Hicks (Washington County/Johnson City Representative; Member, House Education Instruction Committee)

[email protected]


John Crawford (Sullivan County/Kingsport Representative)

[email protected]


Gary Hicks (Hawkins County, Technology Director for Rogersville City Schools)

[email protected]


Scotty Campbell (Hawkins County/Kingsport Representative)

[email protected]