The number of kids in Middle Tennesse’s two biggest districts who perform at grade level in math and reading is improving. Newly released data from the Tennessee Department of Education show that some test scores are even exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

But even with clear signs that students are recovering from learning loss after classroom disruptions at the beginning of the pandemic, both Rutherford County Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools still haven’t been able to erase achievement gaps along racial and economic lines.

Only 18% of Nashville fourth graders who don’t speak English as their first language are considered proficient in English language arts. The percentage drops to 17% among economically disadvantaged students.

Courtesy Tennessee Department of Education

State data show wide gaps in fourth-grade English language arts proficiency among student groups.

There are also wide gaps between Black and Latino kids when compared to white and Asian students. Less than 25% of Blacks and Latinos are proficient in ELA while about half of whites and Asians are meeting standards. Similar gaps exist in math scores.

More: See a deeper breakdown of state test scores by school district.

In Rutherford County, more than half of white and Asian seventh graders are proficient in math compared to their peers. English language learners are considered the least proficient in math among Blacks, Latinos and students who live in low-income households.

Out of all groups, students with disabilities have the lowest scores in math and reading. Overall, students in Nashville scored lower than the statewide average, while kids in Rutherford scored higher.