Tennessee
‘I was shocked’ | Parents react to their kids not passing the English section of TCAP
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The state of Tennessee released TCAP data Monday, which showed 60% of third-graders across the state scored ‘below’ or ‘approaching’ proficiency in the English section.
That number is 36% in Knox County. Some parents were shocked to learn the news.
“I am just absolutely shocked,” Katherine Bike said, District 4 Representative for the Knox County Board of Education. Bike is also the mother to a third-grader.
“He’s a better reader than his sister who’s a year-and-a-half older than him,” Bike said. “I wasn’t worried about him.”
Plus, she said he had all A’s and B’s during the school year, with a 92 average in English, which is why she was shocked to learn her son did not score high enough on the English section of TCAP.
“There are so many parents that are in the same situation, whose kids are making A’s and B’s, actually getting honor roll awards, and so many school awards,” Bike said.
Bike said those are the wrong kids to target with Tennessee’s third-grade retention law. It’s the first year third-graders in the state that score in the ‘below’ or ‘approaching’ proficient categories in English have to either go to summer school, get extra tutoring next year, or repeat third grade.
Kids can retake the test this week. It’s a multiple choice test on the computer. If they pass that, they can advance to fourth grade.
“These kids are fully capable, they are ready to progress to fourth grade, and now they’re being held back, they’re being worried,” Bike said. “People should know that we shouldn’t be blaming our schools and our teachers. This is the legislature.”
WVLT News reached out to every public school district in East Tennessee to request how many kids passed the English section. Besides Knox County Schools, the only other district to provide data was Cocke County School District, where 72% of third-graders didn’t score high enough.
Copyright 2023 WVLT. All rights reserved.
Tennessee
President Biden approved emergency declaration for Tennessee, federal disaster assistance
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — President Biden has approved federal disaster assistance by issuing an emergency declaration in Tennessee.
With Tropical Storm Helene’s impact causing significant flooding and other issues across the state, the declaration will allow for more money and resources to help with the aftermath.
It also authorizes FEMA to coordinate the relief efforts in the community and keep everyone safe from further catastrophe as best as possible.
Specific counties mentioned include Cocke, Hawkins and Washington, along with Carter, Johnson and Unicoi counties.
Middle Tennessee schools score 2024 National Blue Ribbon for academic excellence
There are a lot of great schools in our area. Congratulations to four schools in the mid-state that were awarded National Blue Ribbons for Academic Execellence. The were among six in Tennessee to receive that honor. They were among 356 schools across the United States to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education!
-Lelan Statom
Tennessee
Officer who helped with rescue of Tennessee hospital patients says it was 'organized chaos'
IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.
-
Clearwater mother describes destruction of Florida home from Hurricane Helene
04:24
-
Now Playing
Officer who helped with rescue of Tennessee hospital patients says it was ‘organized chaos’
06:52
-
UP NEXT
Florida’s first responders perform dozens of rescues in Helene aftermath
02:37
-
Asheville’s historic Biltmore Village submerged in water after Hurricane Helene
01:13
-
Patients and staff stranded on roof of Tennessee hospital after Helene
00:27
-
‘I was in shock’: Steinhatchee resident describes Helene’s devastation
03:45
-
‘They just didn’t expect this’: First responder describes high water rescues
02:17
-
Drone footage shows flooding from Helene in Atlanta
01:05
-
Helene’s devastation stretches from Florida into the Carolinas
06:51
-
Atlanta mayor on Helene: ‘This was one that we’ve never seen before’
04:37
-
WATCH: Rescues captured on camera during Helene flooding
02:09
-
‘Damage and destruction’: Florida police chief describes Helene
03:17
-
Where is Tropical Storm Helene moving next?
05:53
-
Full extent of damage from Helene is still unknown but could be ‘catastrophic’
03:19
-
Tallahassee avoids the worst of Hurricane Helene as the storm weakens
02:31
-
WATCH: Hurricane Helene viewed from the International Space Station
00:40
-
WATCH: Doorbell camera captures Hurricane Helene’s storm surge in Cedar Key
00:40
-
Hurricane Helene will affect a huge area as it heads toward the Tennessee Valley
01:46
-
Steinhatchee hit with severe flooding as Hurricane Helene makes landfall
01:09
-
Hurricane Helene floods streets in downtown Tampa
00:39
-
Clearwater mother describes destruction of Florida home from Hurricane Helene
04:24
-
Now Playing
Officer who helped with rescue of Tennessee hospital patients says it was ‘organized chaos’
06:52
-
UP NEXT
Florida’s first responders perform dozens of rescues in Helene aftermath
02:37
-
Asheville’s historic Biltmore Village submerged in water after Hurricane Helene
01:13
-
Patients and staff stranded on roof of Tennessee hospital after Helene
00:27
-
‘I was in shock’: Steinhatchee resident describes Helene’s devastation
03:45
Tennessee
Dozens saved in East Tennessee as floodwaters overcome a hospital
EAST TENNESSEE (AP) — Patients and their caregivers sought shelter Friday on a Tennessee hospital’s roof after flooding caused by Hurricane Helene drove them from the building’s interior and conditions made rescue efforts difficult.
The dramatic scene at Unicoi County Hospital near the North Carolina border was one of several that played out across the southern U.S. in Helene’s wake, as flooding caused by its storm surge and rain sent thousands of police officers, firefighters, National Guard members and others on rescue missions. Hundreds were saved, but at least 40 died.
Unicoi County Hospital tried to evacuate 11 patients and 43 others Friday morning after the Nolichucky River overflowed its banks and flooded the facility, but the water was too treacherous for boats sent by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The decision was made to take everyone to the roof.
“The water there simply came up faster with more debris than was safe to operate in the rafts to ferry from a dry point back to the hospital,” said Patrick Sheehan, Tennessee’s emergency operations director.
After other helicopters failed to reach the hospital because of the storm’s winds, a Virginia State Police helicopter was able to land on the roof. Three National Guard helicopters with hoist capabilities were on the way, officials said.
“We ask everyone to please pray for the people at Unicoi County Hospital, the first responders on-scene, the military leaders who are actively working to help, and our state leaders,” said Ballad Health, the hospital’s owner, on social media.
Middle Tennessee schools score 2024 National Blue Ribbon for academic excellence
There are a lot of great schools in our area. Congratulations to four schools in the mid-state that were awarded National Blue Ribbons for Academic Execellence. The were among six in Tennessee to receive that honor. They were among 356 schools across the United States to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education!
-Lelan Statom
-
News1 week ago
Toplines: September 2024 Inquirer/Times/Siena Poll of Pennsylvania Registered Voters
-
Business1 week ago
Video: Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates for the First Time in Four Years
-
Business1 week ago
Cheaper Mortgages and Car Loans: Lower Rates Are on the Horizon
-
Politics1 week ago
House committee to demand 'stonewalled' memo detailing Biden agency's 'curious' voter registration work
-
News7 days ago
Video: Who Are the Black Swing Voters?
-
Politics1 week ago
Dem lawmakers push bill to restore funding to UN agency with alleged ties to Hamas: 'So necessary'
-
Politics1 week ago
'I've never seen this': Top Republican details level of Secret Service 'lack of cooperation'
-
News1 week ago
Election 2024 Polls: Florida