Amends TCA Title 49.

STATE REPORT CARD Present law provides that the department of education is required to include each school's A, B, C, D, or F grade on the state report card. This bill provides that the department must continue to include each school's grade on the state report card, but must do so according to this bill's requirements. This bill provides that an LEA or public charter school may elect not to receive a letter grade for one or more of its schools by notifying the commissioner of education, in writing, of the LEA's or public charter school's decision to opt out of the requirements under this bill. Written notice of an LEA's or public charter school's decision to opt out of the requirements under this bill must identify the schools and the respective school year for which the LEA or public charter school has elected not to receive a letter grade. FOURTH GRADE RETENTION Present law provides that a student who is not proficient in ELA, yet is promoted to the fourth grade through tutoring through the TALLC or by attending a learning loss bridge camp must show adequate growth on the fourth grade ELA portion of the TCAP test, as determined by the department, before the student may be promoted to the fifth grade. Despite this provision, present law provides that a student must not be retained in the fourth grade more than once. This bill replaces this provision, providing, instead, that a student who is not proficient in ELA, yet is promoted to the fourth grade through tutoring through the TALLC or by attending a learning loss bridge camp and who does not show adequate growth on the fourth grade ELA portion of the TCAP test, as determined by the department, may be retained in the fourth grade if the student's LEA or public charter school determines that retention may benefit the student. However, this bill provides that a student must not be retained in the fourth grade more than once.