JMCSS hosts meeting to discuss Tennessee 3rd grade Retention Law

JACKSON, Tenn. — A local school board has expressed their concern for students in preparation for the state-wide testing period.

The Jackson Madison County School System has a meeting in place for all parents of third graders.
This meeting is aiming towards helping parents understand the 2021 Tennessee 3rd grade Retention Law better.

“That’s a lot of educational jargon that can really cause some anxiety for parents so being able to talk through that and explain it and to show them the reports and the templates, things like that, that can help and support them it would be really great for our parents,” said Tiffany Spight, Chief Academic Officer at JMCSS.

This meeting will be Tuesday, March 5th, at 5:30 p.m., with registration being very important for parents.

Spight will also have tips for parents during the testing period.

“There is actually a third grade practice test that’s on the Tennessee website. So, I encourage parents to just allow their children to take the test at home with them and then that way you are able to see what’s on the test,” said Spight.

The retention law states that if student do not perform well in the English Language Arts section of T-CAP they will have to attend summer school.

“We want them to know we are here for them, and we want them to know we are one big family at Jackson Madison County Schools. So they can reach to their child’s teacher, their child’s principal. They can reach out to us at central office. We’re just all here to help and support them so they do not feel overwhelmed,” said Spight.

“They can participate in a summer learning program we actually have that posted now its a link where parents can go in and register for that. That’s part of the retention law that if they do not meet mastery on track that they will be required to attend summer school,” said Spight.

This meeting is put into place to calm any nervousness that parents may be feeling or any overall confusion that the law may have.

At the end of Tuesday evening meeting there is a Q&A for parents who are concerned.

At this meeting parents can also learn more tips on how to help their child prepare for T-CAP testing.

For more local news, click here.