Tennessee 4th graders anxiously await change to reading law that may hold back thousands

Haley Eason got the call in December that her fourth grader may face being held back for the second time in a year because of Tennessee's controversial reading law.

Since then, she's been on a tireless mission to talk to as many lawmakers as possible to push for change. By her best estimate, Eason has sent hundreds of emails and had dozens of phone calls with state representatives and senators.

Her daughter Myleigh, who just turned 11, attends Allendale Elementary in Williamson County, where she makes straight As. Her mother described her as a happy, bright kid who's into volleyball, socializing with friends and Taylor Swift.

But when it comes to standardized tests, like the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, Myleigh tends to struggle. While Eason understands the reading law's guidelines may ultimately help some kids who need interventions, she worries what it means for her daughter and other students like her.

"Just to look at one day, one test and (say) it doesn't matter what they do throughout the year is unacceptable," Eason said.

This time last year, Myleigh was one of around 44,000 public school third graders in Tennessee who faced retention because of falling short on the English language arts section of her TCAP. Her parents decided to opt into yearlong tutoring in fourth grade for their daughter, which was one of several options under the reading law. Myleigh was one of around 12,000 kids statewide who chose that option.

But a lesser-known part of the reading law also mandates those students be retained if they don't pass the English language arts section of their fourth grade TCAP or hit an individualized growth goal. Eason has been honest with her daughter from the start about what's happening.

When the school first told Eason that Myleigh may be at risk for retention again, she said both she and her daughter burst into tears.

"She said, 'What an embarrassment it would be to me to walk in next year as a fourth grader,'" Eason said. She said her daughter would be 20 by the time she graduated high school if she's held back.

The Tennessee Department of Education projected that up to 6,000 fourth graders could be retained if nothing changes with the reading law. It's been a point of contention for parents, education leaders and state lawmakers alike over the last several months.

That inspired a bill that would leave retention decisions for fourth graders up to schools and add more supports for fifth graders. The measure is down to final votes in the House and Senate this week.

That's something that Eason hopes will help her daughter. Watching Myleigh endure the anxious wait for change has been difficult.

"It's just so heartbreaking because she's just trying her hardest," Eason said through tears.

As lawmakers consider the change, TCAP testing has begun statewide and the end of the school year is quickly approaching. Here's a look at what the amendment would change and what's next for tens of thousands of third and fourth graders in Tennessee.

What to know: TCAPs begin as Tennessee third, fourth graders face being held back

More options for fourth graders

While the Senate and House versions of the bill differ, both leave the decision on holding back a fourth grader up to schools. If ultimately promoted to fifth grade, the child must be given interventions and academic supports, like tutoring, for English language arts skills.

The House version of the bill also allows schools to consider an additional reading benchmark test in the decision and adds a summer learning camp as an intervention option. The Senate version does not appear to include those items.

Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, said he was torn over the legislation during a committee hearing on the measure last month. While he doesn't advocate for children being moved along who are truly not ready for the next grade, he also doesn't want to leave parents, students and schools in limbo as the school year comes to an end.

“We’ve got kids that don’t know where they’re going in two months," Pody said during the March 20 hearing. "That’s shame on us."

From last month: Tennessee lawmakers advance bill that would hold back fewer fourth graders under reading law

Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, voiced a similar concern but said he didn't support the measure.

"We set a line years ago, and it’s a tough line," Lundberg said, referring to the passage of the reading law. "I don’t want 6,000 people to fail. I don’t want 3,000. I don’t want 300. But some are going to fail, and moving them along just because these are difficult conversations for parents to have and teachers to have, that’s a problem."

Lundberg ultimately abstained from voting on the measure.

What's next for the bill

The measure cleared committees in the House and Senate and is now on the calendar for a final vote in each chamber. The full House is expected to vote on it Tuesday, while the full Senate vote is expected Wednesday.

While the two bills don't yet match, last-minute amendments could be adopted to resolve the differences. If the measure passes both chambers and there are no discrepancies between the House and Senate that still need reconciled, the bill would then be sent to Gov. Bill Lee. He would have 10 days to sign the bill into law or veto the measure. If he does not take action within those 10 days, excluding Sundays, the measure would still become law without his signature.

If the bills still don't match after the final votes, a committee will take them up in hopes of working out the differences. While it's not certain when the legislative session will end, it's set to extend through at least the end of the week.

Read more: Thousands of Tennessee 4th graders again face retention as lawmakers press for clarity

What's the timeline for TCAP tests, third and fourth grade retention decisions?

TCAPs are being administered between April 15-30 for grades 3-5 in Tennessee. Testing dates vary by district.

Test scores are typically released in two waves over the summer and early fall each year. However, the Tennessee Department of Education will release some scores and data early for third and fourth graders affected by the reading law.

English language arts scores for third graders will be released to districts on May 20. Growth data for fourth graders will be released by July 1. It will be up to districts to relay that information to parents and legal guardians.

There are several options for third graders to avoid retention, including exemptions, retakes, summer school, tutoring and appeals. More information on the reading and retention law can be found through the education department at tn.gov/education/learning-acceleration.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee reading law: Bill to help fourth graders nears passage