B

The controversial third-grade retention law being reconsidered by the Tennessee General Assembly received the attention of the Hawkins County Board of Education.

At Thursday’s meeting, board members unanimously passed a resolution by McClure Boyd that the General Assembly amend the law to allow local school districts to make retention decisions. As currently constituted, this rule could affect as many as 300 third-grade students in the county and more than half of third-grade students across the state.

Voting in favor were Boyd and members Alina Gorlova, Hannah Winegar, Jackie Charles, Vice Chairman Debbie Shedden, Chairman Chris Christian and Kathy Cradic.

Boyd’s resolution said that the retention decision should be “research-based,” informed by multiple data sources, considered at the youngest age possible and with parental input. Boyd’s resolution also said that retention would have an adverse effect on students, including those with disabilities and at-risk students.

“The intent for me is to have them reconsider what’s happening,” Boyd said. “I don’t know what the answer is. It’s a hot topic.”

“We need help from certain folks in this state,” Christian said. “They think they’re helping us, but they’re hindering us.”

As currently configured, the law outlines a trio of outcomes for third grade students who test below expectations on the state assessment in the Spring.

The lowest scoring students must participate in a summer program and participate in a twice-a-week 30-minute tutoring session throughout the next school year.

Students whose test results are deemed approaching expectations would get to choose one of the two options.

Underperforming students who decline to participate as required would be held back.

Based on the most recent test scores, more than half of the state’s third graders – thousands of students – would be affected.

Third grade was chosen because it is a key level in a student’s educational development. Students who are not on grade level by the third grade more frequently drop out, according to studies. Of course, students who are held back a year and reach age 18 before graduation are also more frequent dropouts.

There are multi-level issues with the law including finding funding and teachers to provide the summer school and year-long tutoring.

But just as concerning to local officials is the appeals process that runs through the state department of education.

There are several reasons a students parent might appeal a low score on the single test. Text anxiety and stress can lead to a test result that doesn’t conform to a student’s every day performance in class. The student could have been ill, had a bad day or simply underperformed.

Director of Schools Matt Hixson feels that retention is not a state decision.

“It’s a local education agency decision in consult with those who are teaching these students and the parents,” Hixson said. “This law has taken that away. Our ability to meet with and make determination on a parental level on what’s best for these students. We’re at risk if this law goes through as stated nearly 300 students in third grade in Hawkins County would not meet that requirement of meeting standards on a non-reading diagnostic test taken one time.”

Hixson said that these students were the group cut off when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, cancelling half of the school year.

“This law has ramifications for these students from now until their junior year in high school,” Hixson said. “Around 240 students will turn 18 before their senior year because they were retained. When they are 18, they can legally walk out of our system. That’s why retention is very serious and is typically done at the kindergarten and first grade level when reading diagnostic issues are determined, not waiting until third grade.”

Hixson said that there is a critical shift that goes from teaching to read through second grade to reading to learn from third grade on.

“That switch is very, very dramatic and very tough,” Hixson said. “It’s a tough transition. States look at the third grade retention rates when they decide how many prison cells to make within their state. That’s a very good indicator of how many students that will ultimately become unsuccessful in life. I do not hesitate to say that we hold students accountable for their academic gain or the lack thereof. We don’t retain beyond the third grade unless there’s a good reason to do so.

“Our hands are tied as this law is currently written,” Hixson said.