Data released by the state today indicate Memphis-Shelby County Schools 3rd and 4th graders made gains on the English/Language Arts (ELA) portion of the 2024 TCAP – an approximately 3 percentage point increase for grade 3 ELA and an approximately 1.8 percentage point increase for grade 4 ELA. 

While we acknowledge progress, we will not be satisfied until all students are reading at or above grade level. For 3rd graders, 26.6 percent met or exceeded proficiency on the test. For 4th graders, 28.5 percent reached that benchmark. 

“Literacy is the anchor to the success that our 110,000 students deserve to experience,” said Superintendent Dr. Marie N. Feagins. “Thus, these data further support the need to direct more District resources directly to classrooms with a targeted emphasis on a comprehensive literacy approach at every grade level.” 

Key Data Points

• The state grade 3 ELA proficiency went up by 0.5 percentage points. MSCS went up by 3.0 percentage points. 
• The state grade 4 ELA proficiency went up by 2.9 percentage points. MSCS went up by 1.8 percentage points. 
• The state expects to make student test results available to parents through the TCAP Family Portal in mid-July. 
• Today's data release does not factor in the accountability measures that make adjustments for English language learners, special education students, and students who were enrolled in MSCS less than 50% of the year. Those adjustments usually improve MSCS scores.