THE LITERACY COMMITMENT is a collaborative effort between schools, parents, and the community to ensure the success and reading readiness of our students. Memphis-Shelby County Schools strives to build a strong academic foundation, knowing that a key component to education is literacy!

Starting in the 2023-24 school year…

• Impacted 4th graders (students who were required to participate in additional interventions for promotion) must show adequate growth on the TCAP's ELA section, or they will be retained.
• 4th graders who previously scored “below expectations” on their last TCAP ELA assessment must participate in year-long tutoring.
• 4th grade students who previously scored “approaching expectations” on their last TCAP ELA assessment and attended SLA but did not make the 90% attendance or adequate growth must participate in year-long tutoring.
• Students who scored “approaching expectations” and were not exempt and did not attend SLA, must participate in year-long tutoring.
• A student who is retained in any of the grades kindergarten through three (K-3) must be assigned a tutor to provide the student with tutoring services for the entirety of the school year.
• 3rd graders who make a score of “approaching expectations” and score within the 50th percentile [previously 40th percentile]of the spring benchmark assessment may be eligible to file an appeal.
• Schools will have the ability to file a TCAP appeal on behalf of a student. [Previously, only the student’s parent/guardian could file an appeal.]

There are two main components to the Literacy Commitment:

Primary Grades (GRADES K-2)

Students' early reading skills are monitored by teachers and administrators using a variety of methods, and reading readiness updates are shared in school meetings, parent-teacher conferences, report cards, and Academic Support Plan letters.

Upper Elementary (GRADES 3-5)

Third grade is the year that students are no longer “learning to read” but begin “reading to learn.” If students are not reading on grade level by the time they reach the third grade, half of the curriculum they will be taught for the remainder of their school years will be beyond their understanding.

Through the Tennessee Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act, all school districts in Tennessee must offer learning loss remediation summer programs for students in grades K-8. Additionally, students who are striving to achieve are encouraged or required to participate in tutoring during their 4th grade year.

MSCS offers the Summer Learning Academy, a 4-week program that supports students who do not make a score of “met expectations” or “exceeded expectations” on the ELA portion of the state’s standardized test (TCAP).

Retention Guidelines

The Tennessee Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act has outlined student support regarding promotion and retention guidelines for the ELA portion of the TCAP test for third and fourth-grade students.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools identifies student achievement as its highest priority. The Literacy Commitment is a collaborative effort between schools, parents, and the community to ensure the success and reading readiness of our students.