State-Level TCAP Results Show Substantial Growth

NASHVILLE (June 24) — The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) released the 2025-26 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) state–level results on Wednesday, showing growth in academic proficiency among students statewide.

Third grade student achievement reached its highest level since at least 2017 in English Language Arts (ELA), and fourth graders also made substantial proficiency gains in mathematics. 

These statewide results include exams in English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics and social studies, but do not include science, which is in a standard-setting year.

“Tennessee’s strategic investments in education have led to promising progress for students in multiple subjects and grade levels," said Governor Bill Lee. "As we advance our efforts to ready students for success both in school and in life, Tennessee remains dedicated to supporting teachers and empowering families through diverse pathways to achievement, ensuring every student has an opportunity to succeed."

See the 2025-26 state–level TCAP highlights:

English Language Arts (ELA)

- 3.2 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate for third grade.

- 2.7 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate for eighth grade.

- 3.8 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency rate in English II.

Math

- 3.6 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency for fourth grade.

- 5.6 percentage point increase from last year’s Geometry proficiency for high school.

Social Studies

- 11.4 percentage point increase statewide since 2019.

- 3.4 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency for sixth grade.

- 3.0 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency for seventh grade.

- 3.8 percentage point increase from last year’s proficiency for U.S. History.

In July, individual student data will be available in the TCAP Family Portal. Families can use the portal to obtain additional information to better understand their students' individual score reports and the next steps for supporting their students' academic progress.

During a special legislative session in 2021, Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly enacted the Tennessee Literacy Success Act and the Tennessee Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act, which ensured that students would recover from post-pandemic learning loss. Tennessee students have surpassed prior TCAP proficiency rates across content areas as schools continue to focus on learning acceleration.

Tennessee has invested in strong student supports, such as early literacy training, summer learning camps and high-dosage tutoring, along with ongoing professional learning opportunities for educators, all of which have supported year-over-year gains in student proficiency.