Third Grade Retention Parent Appeal Form

In 2021, the Tennessee General Assembly updated the state’s 3rd grade promotion law to ensure students receive the necessary support to read and perform on grade level before promotion to 4th grade. For some impacted 3rd grade students in Tennessee, this updated law will require the student and their family to make some important decisions.

Third grade students who do not meet proficiency on the English Language Arts (ELA) section of the TCAP assessment will be able to get important needed learning supports from their school for free to ensure the student will be ready for grade-level lessons in 4th grade. Learning supports include priority access to summer programming and/or tutoring supports in the upcoming year.

If a student’s family wishes to opt out of these free supports, the student may be at-risk of retention in 3rd grade. Your student’s school will notify you if your student has been identified as at-risk for retention and will provide you with additional information about all the available pathways to allow your student to be eligible to move to 4th grade, including free summer school and/or tutoring supports provided by your school district or public charter school.

Link to the English appeal form: https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/2025thirdgraderetentionappeal
 

Link to the Spanish appeal form: https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/2025thirdgraderetentionappeal_spanish