Tennessee Educators Seek Delay in TCAP Testing After Winter Storm

Professional Educators of Tennessee request postponement to allow more prep time for students.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Some Tennessee educators are asking the state to delay the upcoming Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) testing following a recent winter storm that caused significant school closures. The Professional Educators of Tennessee group has sent a letter to the state requesting a delay of a couple of weeks, citing that schools missed too much instructional time to properly prepare students for the mid-April testing.

Why it matters

TCAP testing is a high-stakes assessment that measures student achievement and is used for school and district accountability. Delaying the testing could give teachers and students more time to cover the required curriculum and ensure students are better prepared, potentially leading to more accurate results.

The details

Schools in Scott County, Tennessee used nearly all of their 13 allotted snow days due to the recent winter storm. This has forced teachers to adjust their lesson plans and left them concerned about having enough time to cover all the required material before the scheduled TCAP testing in mid-April. The Professional Educators of Tennessee group is asking the state to push back the testing window by a couple of weeks to provide more breathing room for educators and students.

  • The recent winter storm caused significant school closures across Tennessee.
  • TCAP testing is currently scheduled for mid-April.

The players

Professional Educators of Tennessee

A group representing educators in the state that is advocating for a delay in TCAP testing.

Billy Hall

Superintendent of Scott County Schools, where nearly all 13 snow days were used due to the winter storm.

Lizzette Reynolds

Tennessee Commissioner of Education, who stated the state is reviewing options to provide districts with flexibility regarding the testing timeline.

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What they’re saying

“It's always a thing of, did we get enough time with our students? Did we get to reach all the objectives that are placed upon us for the test?”

— Billy Hall, Superintendent, Scott County Schools (WSMV)

“We are actively reviewing options to provide districts with flexibility, including the potential for extending the assessment window, to ensure all students and educators are supported during this time.”

— Lizzette Reynolds, Tennessee Commissioner of Education (WSMV)

What’s next

The Tennessee Department of Education is expected to communicate any updated testing timelines directly to school districts in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges that unexpected weather events can pose for schools and the importance of flexibility in high-stakes testing schedules. Delaying the TCAP testing could help ensure students and teachers have adequate time to prepare, leading to more accurate and meaningful assessment results.