TCAP, or the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, is the standardized testing program managed by the Tennessee Department of Education. It assesses student performance in core subjects—English Language Arts, math, science, and social studies— for grades 3 to 8 and includes high school End-of-Course exams. TCAP started in the 1989–90 school year and aligns with state academic standards.
Tests are given annually, with accommodations for students with special needs. TCAP measures student learning and school performance, providing Lexile measures since 2010 to track reading progress.
Results are classified as Below Expectations, Approaching Expectations, Meets Expectations, or Exceeds Expectations. This year’s tests for grades 3–8 and high school were given from April 14 to May 6, 2025.
Third graders scoring “approaching proficiency” in ELA may be held back unless they retest (May 21–30, 2025), attend summer school with 90% attendance, and show improvement, or enroll in year-long tutoring. Appeals for special circumstances were accepted from May 28 to June 27, 2025, with final retention decisions due in July 2025.
Key dates for TCAP-Alternate (ALT) results start on July 9, 2025, on the TCAP Family Portal. Achievement (ACH) and End-of-Course (EOC) results will be available on July 17, 2025, also on the TCAP Family Portal.
Families can check their student’s scores on the TCAP Family Portal using the Unique Access Code (USID), which can be found on the Individual Student Report or obtained from the school. For state-level info, you can visit the Tennessee Department of Education’s Data Downloads webpage under the State Assessments section, and you’ll find a summary on the State Report Card that’s updated in July.
Making Progress in 2025
The state results highlight positive progress in Tennessee’s education system, with data released today. The 2024-25 TCAP results show improvements in student performance across all tested grades and subjects. Notably, there has been an increase in student proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA), with most tested grades showing gains, particularly in English 1 and 2. The percentage of students falling below proficiency has dropped to a historic low for fourth grade. Gains in ELA range from 0.4% to 3.9% across various grades, reflecting the collaborative efforts of teachers, administrators, and the community.
In math, proficiency has increased across all grade levels, with significant gains in sixth grade and an overall rate of 42% for grades three through eight. Science and social studies also saw improvements, with proficiency rates at 46% and 49%, respectively. The updates emphasize the importance of reading and math skills in supporting overall student success. More detailed information will be available shortly, and the overall message is one of optimism about Tennessee students’ achievements.
Complete 2025 TCAP assessment data is available on the department’s Data Downloads webpage in the State Assessments section under the Assessment Files tab.
Ongoing Concerns
While the TCAP results for 2024-2025 are impressive. For many high-stakes testing often narrows the focus to English Language Arts and math, neglecting vital subjects such as science, social studies, music, and the arts. We need a statewide discussion and increased transparency in testing, along with a more balanced approach that prioritizes student growth over test scores. Adaptive testing can personalize assessments, providing a more precise measure of student abilities. Tennessee should consider using technology to create tailored evaluations that empower all learners for a prosperous future. However, we are encouraged by the comments and support of Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education, and her team at the Tennessee Department of Education
Our Comments
“This year’s TCAP results reflect significant improvements in all subjects. Today is a good day for the students and teachers in Tennessee. We are proud of the hard work of students, educators, districts, and the ongoing support of parents across the state.” — JC Bowman, Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee.
JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association located in Nashville, Tennessee.
Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited.
