CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After testing on the English Language Arts portion of the TCAP in April, 40% of third-grade students in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System will need support this summer or next school year to prepare for the fourth grade.

Statewide, despite improvements in ELA test results, data from the Tennessee Department of Education shows nearly 60% of third-grade students could be at risk of being held back in the third grade, under the changes that take effect this year.

In Clarksville, a retest of the ELA TCAP was administered Tuesday morning, after technological issues prevented a retest on Monday, according to CMCSS spokesman Anthony Johnson.

Third grade is the first year of school that students in Clarksville-Montgomery County are required to take state standardized assessments such as TCAP. With the state law that took effect this year, students must “meet” or “exceed” expectations on the ELA assessment to be automatically promoted to fourth grade.

Students who are “approaching” or “below” expectations may be promoted through summer learning programs and receive free tutoring during the course of fourth grade.

Based on the scores from the test in April, of the 40%, a third of students will need to attend summer learning programs and receive free tutoring during fourth grade to be promoted. Two-thirds can attend summer learning programs, or receive free tutoring during fourth grade, or their parent or guardian can appeal the retention. If a student’s family does not wish to take advantage of these supports, the student will have to repeat third grade, Johnson said.

Locally, over 800 third-grade students are registered for the summer learning programs, which will be held June 12 through July 20.

Throughout the school year, CMCSS has provided families with updates on their students’ progress along with informational sessions, dispatched communications and resources for families, said Johnson.

Some students are exempt from third grade retention such as English learners with less than two years of ELA instruction, students previously retained in Kindergarten through third grade, or a student who has a disability or a suspected disability that impacts reading.

More information can be found on the CMCSS website.