Tennessee Lawmakers debate merits of 3rd grade test law

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – Tennessee lawmakers are moving forward with changes to a controversial third grade test.

The current law requires students to repeat the grade if they don’t pass one state test.

(Courtesy: MGN)

During the debate, lawmakers say that law has upset a lot of parents.

One state senator said nine-year-olds are being labelled failures just on the results from one test.

So the state senate passed a bill to give students three chances at the tests and set up an appeals process.

It now goes to the House.

Meanwhile, the testing continues this year without any exceptions.

Any changes the legislature makes to the rule won’t go into effect until next year.