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Promotion & Retention Law

Understanding the Third and Fourth Grade Promotion Law

The Tennessee General Assembly revised the state's law regarding the promotion of third-grade students, codified in T.C.A. § 49-6-3115, to ensure students receive necessary reading support before advancing to fourth grade. The law specifies that third-grade students must demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) to be promoted. Students who do not meet the proficiency standard may still be promoted if they participate in designated interventions, such as learning loss bridge camps or tutoring, and demonstrate adequate growth. Certain exemptions apply, including for English language learners with less than two years of ELA instruction and students previously retained in grades K-3. 

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Promotion Law Updates

Questions?

Jennifer Ledford

K-8 Math & Science Supervisor
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