The Tennessee Department of Education released statewide results from the 2025-26 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) on Wednesday, showing increases in student proficiency across multiple grade levels and subject areas.
The results include assessments in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, and social studies. Science results were not included because the subject is in a standard-setting year.
🌟🚀🎉Tennessee students continue to make academic progress! The 2025-26 TCAP results demonstrate strong gains across multiple subject areas and grades, reflecting sustained momentum in student achievement statewide.
We are proud of the hard work of Tennessee students,… pic.twitter.com/aqep07PWyh
— TN Dept of Education (@TNedu) June 24, 2026
According to the department, third-grade students recorded their highest ELA proficiency rate since at least 2017. Third-grade ELA proficiency increased by 3.2 percentage points from the previous year, while eighth-grade ELA proficiency rose by 2.7 percentage points. English II proficiency increased by 3.8 percentage points.
In mathematics, fourth-grade proficiency increased by 3.6 percentage points from last year, and high school Geometry proficiency rose by 5.6 percentage points.
Social studies proficiency continued to improve statewide, increasing 11.4 percentage points since 2019. Sixth-grade social studies proficiency increased by 3.4 percentage points, seventh-grade proficiency increased by 3.0 percentage points and U.S. History proficiency increased by 3.8 percentage points from the previous year.
“Tennessee’s strategic investments in education have led to promising progress for students in multiple subjects and grade levels,” Governor Bill Lee said in a statement released with the results.
“As we advance our efforts to ready students for success both in school and in life, Tennessee remains dedicated to supporting teachers and empowering families through diverse pathways to achievement, ensuring every student has an opportunity to succeed,” Lee added.
The department said individual student assessment data will be available through the TCAP Family Portal in July, where families will be able to access score reports and additional information about student performance.
“I am very proud of our gains in student achievement, highlighting our success in implementing strategies that elevate learning across all grades and subjects,” Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds said in a statement. “This continued progress ensures every Tennessee student has the opportunity to succeed.”
Tennessee Students Are Rising: New TCAP Results Reflect the Power of High Expectations and Honest Accountability.
Great news from @TNedu. @TennesseeCAN full press release here. pic.twitter.com/sJh7cYQPmM
— TennesseeCAN (@TennesseeCAN) June 24, 2026
In a statement following the release of the results, TennesseeCAN said the data showed continued improvement in student achievement statewide.
“Once again, Tennessee is proving that meaningful progress is possible when leaders stay relentlessly focused on measurable student learning. Our students can and will achieve at high levels when we set high expectations, measure learning honestly, and refuse to lower the bar,” said Chelsea Crawford, Executive Director of TennesseeCAN. “When we stay focused on academics, students win.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
