MSCS students gearing up for upcoming TCAP test
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Say it isn’t so: Is it TCAP time already?
We are less than one week from students putting all their learning in the school year to the test.
According to new Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins, one of the biggest problems teachers are facing this year is attendance.
On Monday, April 15, 2024, students will start taking the standardized Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) or End-of-Course (EOC) tests.
Based on the standardized test scores of the academic year 2022-2023, FOX13 discovered that almost half of MCSC students received a D or F grade.
According to the Tennessee Department of Education, only about 20% of students met or exceeded their TCAP English Language Arts expectations, while only about 17% met or exceeded expectations on the TCAP Math exam.
Danette Stokes, the President of the United Educators Association (UEA) and a second-grade teacher, believes that there is an underlying story behind these numbers.
“Some kids, they do have test anxiety,” Stokes said. “So, it’s best that as parents we make sure that we’re not adding any extra anxiety on them and just allowing them to, you know, after they get in from the from school, have some free time.”
And in preparation for testing, Memphis Shelby County School District is encouraging parents to do the following three things:
- Make sure your child get adequate sleep;
- Make sure they eat a balanced breakfast;
- And make sure they rest after the test.
Dr. Feagins, whose journey as the MSCS superintendent kicked off at the start of this month, said the school district is ready to make phone calls to parents to get all students to school on the day of the test.
“Attendance is a major factor,” she said. “So just making sure they’re in the building to test. That’s about all we can handle and in control right now, with just a few days remaining.”
Stokes believes that state-administered tests are a set up for students to fail and shares that conversations have already begun to access students’ learning other than TCAP.
“If I could send a message to the state,” Stokes said. “I would ask them to get rid of it, you know, it does not reflect what our students know or what our educators have done in the classroom, and nor does it reflect what our district can do.”
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