Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program

Williamson County Schools in Middle Tennessee leads the state with a 73.9% proficiency rate in all subjects on the 2025-26 TCAP test, showing improvements in English/Language Arts, math, and social studies. Science results are pending for release on August 31.

Middle Tennessee school districts showed overall improvement in standardized test scores, but proficiency rates for marginalized groups like low-income students, English learners, and Black/Hispanic students declined in several areas. While 118 districts reported increased proficiency rates, disparities persisted in counties such as Williamson, Cheatham, and Dickson.

Private schools in Tennessee participating in the voucher program will have extended time to submit student standardized test scores to the Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA). The original June 30 deadline remains, but additional time is being granted due to the requirement being new this year. OREA will publish an academic performance report for voucher recipients after the state legislature convenes in January 2027.

Less than half of Tennessee students are proficient in any school subject, with over 50% of 3rd through 8th graders not meeting expectations in all tested subjects. High schoolers show similar struggles, particularly in math, where less than one-third are proficient. The Tennessee Department of Education reported modest gains but did not highlight the persistent challenges in student performance.

Tennessee TCAP results show increased proficiency in English language arts, math, and social studies for students, with third graders reaching a decade-high in ELA. Metro Nashville Public Schools reported gains in core subjects and high school courses, including a 4.1-point rise in social studies and 7.9-point increase in Integrated Math III.

Memphis students showed slight improvements in reading proficiency on state TCAP tests, particularly in third grade, but math scores declined, especially among middle schoolers. A state-appointed takeover board is now overseeing the district, which has focused on early literacy initiatives and curriculum changes to address academic challenges.

Memphis charter students are outperforming traditional public schools in math recovery post-pandemic, with Leadership Preparatory Charter School increasing proficiency by over 20 percentage points since 2021 through a flexible, structured curriculum approach. Charter schools in Memphis saw math proficiency double the district-wide average, driven by partnerships with Teach Like A Champion and increased teacher autonomy. A SCORE report highlighted significant growth in charter schools, equivalent to 47 additional learning days annually, as the state prepares to take over Memphis-Shelby County Schools.