Tennessee's Third-Grade Reading Law Aims to Boost Literacy

New policy requires students to meet benchmarks or risk being held back

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:56am

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A bold, graphic illustration featuring a repeating pattern of colorful children's books, conceptually representing the state's efforts to improve third-grade reading proficiency.A pop art-inspired illustration celebrating the importance of early childhood literacy in Tennessee.Today in Nashville

A new Tennessee law passed in 2021 requires third-grade students to meet reading proficiency benchmarks or risk being held back. The policy is meant to address the state's longstanding issue of too many children moving through school without the ability to read at grade level. While some districts have high proficiency rates, the state average is just over 40%, with some districts like Memphis-Shelby County falling as low as 25%. Supporters argue the law will set students up for long-term success, while critics worry about the emotional and social consequences of holding young students back.

Why it matters

Tennessee has long struggled with poor education outcomes, ranking near the bottom nationally. This new third-grade reading law is an attempt to confront the state's literacy crisis early on, with the goal of putting more students on a path to academic success. However, the policy has sparked debate over the best approach to improving reading skills without overly penalizing young learners.

The details

Under the new Tennessee law, third-grade students must meet reading benchmarks on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program exam. Those who do not risk being held back and repeating the third grade. Supporters of the law, like State Rep. Mark White, argue it is necessary to address the fact that over 40% of third graders statewide are not reading at a proficient level. The disparities are even more stark, with some high-performing districts like Williamson County seeing 70% proficiency, while lower-income areas like Memphis-Shelby County fall below 25%. Critics worry that holding 8-year-olds back could have negative social and emotional consequences, but proponents counter that moving students forward without foundational skills poses an even greater long-term risk of dropouts and academic struggles.

  • The Tennessee General Assembly passed the third-grade reading law in 2021.
  • The new policy will be implemented for the first time during the 2022-2023 school year.

The players

Mark White

A Republican state representative from Memphis who supports the third-grade reading law, arguing it is necessary to address Tennessee's longstanding literacy crisis.

Tennessee Department of Education

The state agency that oversees education policy and reports that just over 40% of third graders statewide are reading at a proficient level.

Williamson County Schools

A high-performing school district in Tennessee where third-grade reading proficiency rates climb as high as 70%.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

A lower-income school district in Tennessee where third-grade reading proficiency rates fall below 25%.

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What they’re saying

“Forty to forty-two percent statewide... that is too low. We need to catch more students.”

— Mark White, State Representative

“If you get to seventh, eighth, ninth grade and you're not reading proficiently, school becomes more of a burden. That's when we see dropouts.”

— Mark White, State Representative

What’s next

The new third-grade reading law will be implemented for the first time during the 2022-2023 school year, with students required to meet proficiency benchmarks or risk being held back.

The takeaway

Tennessee's new third-grade reading law represents a bold attempt to confront the state's longstanding literacy crisis, but it has sparked debate over the best approach to improving reading skills without overly penalizing young learners. While the policy aims to set more students up for long-term academic success, critics worry about the potential emotional and social consequences of holding 8-year-olds back.