Interim superintendent presents preliminary TCAP gains and a district academic plan focused on literacy, interventions and staffing

Interim Superintendent Richmond presented preliminary Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) results and an overview of a new academic plan at a Memphis‑Shelby County Schools Board of Education meeting, saying the district saw modest gains in student proficiency across subjects and will push for expanded literacy supports and staffing before the start of the school year.

The presentation, led by Bill White of the district's research, evaluation and accountability and data strategies team and followed by Alicia Kiner, deputy chief academic officer, described the data as "just 1 piece of the puzzle" and repeatedly cautioned that the figures are preliminary and subject to state accountability business rules. "Quite frankly, it's not even a complete piece," White said.

White summarized year‑to‑year proficiency changes the district has observed from 2022 to 2025: math showed the largest reported growth (+8.4 percentage points), science rose by 7.5 points, English language arts (ELA) by 3.2 points and social studies by 4.4 points. Looking at grade bands for 2024 to 2025, White reported elementary (grades 3–5) ELA proficiency rose 2.3 points (26.8% to 29.1%); middle grades (6–8) rose 0.3 points (17.6% to 17.9%); high school (9–12) declined by 0.6 points. Math increased across grade bands to a districtwide 21.2% (from 18.7%). Science moved from 25.7% to 26.7% overall. White stressed these are preliminary proficiency rates the state has…