UnifiEd to discuss third grade retention law tomorrow in town hall

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — UnifiEd will be hosting a town hall tomorrow night to discuss a new third grade retention law.

The law will now require third graders who do not pass a standardized English test to repeat the grade or go through a summer school program.

Based on data from last year, 64% of third-graders are at risk of retention.

Jill Weitz, Director of Communications for UnifiEd says that the town hall will teach parents and students about the new requirements. “The town hall is really meant to educate. So, we don’t want people to be deterred from going based on their beliefs or their opinions about this, because the main goal for us is to make sure people are educated and informed about this,” Weitz said. “We are really there to have the people who are the experts, the HCDE, School Board – have them discuss what is going to happen.”

The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Downtown Chattanooga Library.

Breckan Duckworth of the Hamilton County Department of Education, and School Board Member Ben Connor will be presenting.