Knox County Schools students have shown steady progress across core subjects since the COVID-19 pandemic, a Knox News analysis of state testing data shows.
In a statewide comparison, KCS is notably outperforming average proficiency rates in overall English language arts, math and social studies.
New Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program data released July 13 shows KCS students have continued on an upward trajectory in English, math and social studies under Superintendent Jon Rysewyk.
The largest year-over-year gains were in math across all grades. In 2021, the proficiency rate in KCS − the percentage of students who met or exceeded expectations − was 28.9%. In 2026, 42.6% of students are proficient in math, according to the state education department.
KCS students have steadily gained in English proficiency over the last five years, too. The 2021 proficiency rate across all grades was 33.8%, and reached 46.4% in 2026. While that means a majority of KCS students are not proficient in English, it shows the district could be on its way to reaching that point in the next few years.
A majority of students are proficient in social studies, the TDOE data shows, with 55.7% of KCS students testing as proficient in 2026, up from 52.8% in 2025.
All groups making progress
The gains aren’t concentrated in a singular ethnic group. Black student proficiency was 9% in 2021 and has now more than doubled at 20.4% proficiency in 2026. Hispanic student proficiency has grown from 15.5% in 2021 to 24.3% in 2026.
Black students have continued to make big gains in English. In 2021, 13.7% of Black students were proficient, and in 2026, 25.1% of students are. Hispanic students have also improved from 2021, starting at 20.4% proficiency to 25.6% proficiency in 2026.
Nearly 34% of Black students are proficient in social studies, a growth of 13% since 2021. Hispanic students have made gains as well, with 36.5% of students proficient in 2026 from 32.9% in 2021.
KCS proficiency rates through the years
KCS is outperforming statewide proficiency rates, which are 40.9% in math, 42.3% in ELA and 50% in social studies.
Math proficiency
- 2021: 28.9%
- 2022: 30.3%
- 2023: 33.8%
- 2024: 37%
- 2025: 40.3%
- 2026: 42.6%
English proficiency (schools call it English language arts, or ELA)
- 2021: 33.8%
- 2022: 39.5%
- 2023: 41.2%
- 2024: 42.1%
- 2025: 45%
- 2026: 46.4%
Social studies proficiency
- 2021: 45.5%
- 2022: 48.6%
- 2023: 49.4%
- 2024: 50.3%
- 2025: 52.8%
- 2026: 55.7%
Caitlyn Meisner is the K-12 education reporter for Knox News. Email tips and story ideas to caitlyn.meisner@knoxnews.com.
