Tennessee’s third set of test scores from the pandemic era improved again across all core subjects and grades, even exceeding pre-pandemic proficiency rates in English language arts and social studies.
State-level results released Thursday showed an overall increase in proficiency since 2022 for public school students and a surge since 2021, when the first test scores from the pandemic period declined dramatically across the nation.
But the performance of historically underserved students — including children with disabilities, those from low-income families and students of color — still lags. Those groups of students, who already trailed their peers before disruptions to schooling began in 2020, also spent the longest time learning remotely during the public health emergency caused by COVID-19.
The latest scores continue the state’s upward trend of pandemic recovery, based on standardized tests under the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program.