Amends TCA Title 49.

Present law generally prohibits a student in the third grade from being promoted to the next grade level unless the student is determined to be proficient in English language arts (ELA) based on the student's achieving a performance level rating of "on track" or "mastered" on the ELA portion of the student's most recent Tennessee comprehensive assessment program (TCAP) test. Additionally, the state board of education must promulgate rules to establish an appeal process, to be administered by the department, for a student who is identified for retention based on the student's achieving a performance level rating of "approaching" on the ELA portion of the most recent TCAP test. Immediately upon determining that a student in kindergarten through grade three has a significant reading deficiency, based on the results of the universal reading screener most recently administered to the student, the LEA or public charter school must notify the student's parent and provide the parent with information about mandatory retention for students in grade three with an achievement level of "approaching" or "below" on the ELA portion of the student's most recent TCAP test. This bill removes the provisions above and, instead, authorizes an LEA or public charter school to retain a student in the third grade if the student has not shown a basic understanding of the curriculum and an ability to perform the skills required in the subject of reading, as demonstrated by the student's grades or standardized test results. An LEA or public charter school is further authorized to require the student to participate in a research-based intervention approved by the LEA or public charter school before the beginning of the next school year. This bill applies to the 2022-2023 school year and each school year thereafter.