| Issue |
Status/Date |
Level |
Summary |
 Leadership--District Superintendent |
Signed into law 06/2012 |
P-12 |
Sec. 1003 requires the Department of Education, upon request, to confirm an individual satisfies the eligibility requirements for election or appointment as a superintendent. Extends eligibility to an individual who holds a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law schools with 4 years relevant experience. Other sections impact superintendent and assistant superintendent contracts. Makes contracts subject to the Right-to-Know Law and limits contracts for an individual with no prior experience to three years. Establishes minimum requirements for the content of contracts. Severance agreements taking effect two years or more prior to the end of the contract term cannot exceed the value of one year's compensation and benefits. If severance agreement takes effect less than two years prior to end of contract, agreement cannot exceed the value of one-half the total compensation for the remainder of the contract. Section 1073.1 requires that contracts include objective performance standards and requires the school board to annual conduct a written performance assessment.The board must also post the standards in the contract, the date of the performance assessment and whether or not the superintendent has met the standards on its website. Provides for termination of contracts and requires boards to publically disclose, at the next regularly scheduled meeting, the cause or reason for termination of a superintendent contract.
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2011&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1901&pn=3885
Title: H.B. 1901 - Sections 1003, 1073, 1076-1078, 1080 & 2104
Source: http://www.legis.state.pa.us |
Accountability--Measures/Indicators |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Directs commissioner of education to establish appropriate performance goals and measures for LEAs. Rewards LEAs that reach the achievement and achievement gap closure targets. Stipulates corrective action for LEAs that do not meet targets. Requires public reporting at least every three years. Defines accountability rankings for LEAs. Details three types of interventions for low-achieving schools: school turnaround through school improvement grant (SIG); turnaround through creation of LEA Innovation Zone; or placement into achievement school district. Authorizes commissioner to appoint individuals, nonprofit or governmental entities to manage school operations when founding an achievement school district.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB2208.pdf
Title: S.B. 2208
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Accountability--School Improvement |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires standardized testing of K-2 students in low-performing schools to determine how to best target student learning needs and assess whether any learning disparities exist.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3155.pdf
Title: S.B. 3155
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Became law without governor's signature 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Regulates charter schools' relationships with foreign entities and the use of non-immigrant foreign workers by charter schools.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3345.pdf
Title: S.B. 3345
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Curriculum--Sex Education |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides that sex education shall be abstinence-centered. Prevents programs that promote or condone "gateway sexual activities," which are sexual activities that put the student at risk of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. Requires parental notification, examination of instructional materials when district will start sex education programs. Contains student opt-out provision.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3310.pdf
Title: S.B. 3310
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides school districts may pursue and receive federal or private grants for educational purposes. Finds that local school boards must approve the expenditure if the grant requires matching funds.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3044.pdf
Title: S.B. 3044
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Urges support for access to immunization through school-based vaccination programs.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SJR0552.pdf
Title: S.J.R. 552
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires virtual schools to maintain teacher-pupil ratios set by the state board of education and to provide the same length of time for learning opportunities as required for other schools, but allow a student to move at the student's own pace. Provides students shall demonstrate mastery, competency, and completion of a course or subject area to be given course credit. Allows technology access to be provided through computer labs. Makes an online course a requirement for graduation from high school beginning with the students entering ninth grade in the 2013-2014 school year.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB3062.pdf
Title: H.B. 3062
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
P-3 Kindergarten |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Sets kindergarten entrance age. Children entering kindergarten shall be five years of age on or before August 31 for the 2013-2014 school year and on or before August 15 for all school years thereafter.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0991.pdf
Title: H.B. 2566
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of education to establish within the schools in the achievement school district a four-year pilot program to increase parent involvement in schools. Begins with 2012-2013 school year. Directs office of research and education accountability to study, recommend changes after second year.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2994.pdf
Title: H.B. 2994
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary |
Vetoed 05/2012 |
Postsec. |
Prohibits state higher education institutions and private institutions receiving more than $24 million in state subsidies from denying equal access or fair opportunity to any student organization on basis of religious content. Provides religious student organizations may determine their leaders and limit participation among non-adherents.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3597.pdf
Title: S.B. 3597
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Accountability--Licensing/Program Review and Approval |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
Postsec. |
Permits a nonpublic postsecondary institution to remain eligible for lottery scholarship purposes if accredited by SACS, regardless of future statutory changes in the definition of nonpublic eligibility.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3170.pdf
Title: S.B. 3170
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Faculty--Tenure |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
Postsec. |
Allows the chancellor to award back pay to a tenured faculty member, in the event that a court finds dismissal was inappropriate.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3023.pdf
Title: S.B. 3023
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Provides that a dual credit course created by a high school and community college, whether as an elective or major core requirement, should be transferable to all public postsecondary institutions. Specifies similar transfer guarantees for credits earned by high school students at four-year institutions and Tennessee Technology Centers (TTCs).
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB2809.pdf
Title: S.B. 2809
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Promotion/Retention |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Prohibits promotion of students in the third and eighth grades who do not demonstrate understanding of the curriculum and the ability to perform required grade level skills either through the student's grades or standardized test scores.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB2156.pdf
Title: S.B. 2156
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Broadens the purpose of certain statutory restrictions concerning who may enter school grounds during school hours.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB1429.pdf
Title: S.B. 1429
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Defines what constitutes student harassment. Provides defendant is harassing a victim when an image is intentionally malicious or when a similarly situated person judges the image as intimidating.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2641.pdf
Title: H.B. 2641
Source: Westlaw/StateNet |
School Safety--Uniforms/Dress Codes |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires local boards of education to adopt dress codes for professional employees.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2222.pdf
Title: H.B. 2222
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Removes prohibition on creation of municipal school districts.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB2908.pdf
Title: S.B. 2908
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires schools to notify parents, by way of student handbooks or policy guidebooks, of school-associated extracurricular activities. Gives parents the opportunity to prohibit their child from participating.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2548.pdf
Title: H.B. 2548
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires teachers instructing in subjects wherein an end-of-course exam is administered to take such exam, provided annually by the state board of education, and pass with a score of 75 or greater.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3341.pdf
Title: S.B. 3341
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Establishes alternative route to teacher licensure in grades 9-12 for persons who have taught at certain postsecondary institutions.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB2302.pdf
Title: S.B. 2302
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides that a tenured teacher dismissed because of abolition of a position shall be placed on a list for reemployment in the first vacancy the teacher is qualified by training and experience to fill. Forbids director of schools or board of education from using abolition of a position as a method of avoiding dismissal charges and the accompanying due process rights attaching to the status of tenure.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB2693.pdf
Title: S.B. 2693
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Curriculum--Drivers Education |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires all driver education courses to include instruction on the dangers of texting while driving and the penalty thereof.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3588.pdf
Title: S.B. 3588
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Curriculum--Science |
Became law without governor's signature 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides that the state board, district, school board, or school administrators shall not prohibit any teacher for how he/she reviews controversial science subjects (e.g., evolution, cloning, global warming). Protects the teacher from discipline.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB0368.pdf
Title: H.B. 368
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides that an LEA may, at its discretion, choose to hire a building manager in lieu of an assistant principal.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB2982.pdf
Title: S.B. 2982
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
High School--Advanced Placement |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Expresses need to expand postsecondary credit-earning opportunities for high school students and urges state education agencies to provide assistance to any organizations conducting a statewide study of the issue.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HJR0602.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 602
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides that a high school must forward the immunization records of students attempting to enroll in postsecondary courses while still enrolled in high school.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2229.pdf
Title: H.B. 2229
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires a special education diploma be awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed an IEP, but who have not passed the proficiency tests required for graduation with a regular diploma.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB2900.pdf
Title: S.B. 2900
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Authorizes LEAs to partner with individuals, community and faith-based groups and organizations to design and implement programs to improve parental involvement in their children's education and schools, especially in high priority schools. Provides framework for parental involvement classes.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB3505.pdf
Title: H.B. 3505
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
Postsec. |
Directs the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to study whether changes should be made to HOPE scholarship eligibility requirements for GED recipients, in light of changes that American Council on Education has made to the examination.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2861.pdf
Title: H.B. 2861
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Participation--Access |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
Postsec. |
Provides that a combat veteran shall be allowed to register for classes prior to the general student population at any public institution of higher education. Stipulates early registration shall occur using the same procedure used by student athletes, disabled students, and honor students.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2961.pdf
Title: H.B. 2961
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes and encourages community colleges within the Tennessee Board of Regents system to enter into reverse articulation agreements with system universities, institutions within the University of Tennessee system, and SACS-accredited, private institutions.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2827.pdf
Title: H.B. 2827
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2827.pdf |
School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Charges each local board of education with adopting a policy regarding a teacher's ability to relocate a student for that student's safety or the safety of others. Defines use of reasonable or justifiable force. Requires teacher to file a brief report. Stipulates law shall be in effect on school property and at school-sanctioned events.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3116.pdf
Title: S.B. 3116
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Regulates student conduct on school buses. Permits school personnel, including school bus drivers, to use reasonable force, subject to certain restrictions, in maintaining discipline.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2789.pdf
Title: H.B. 2789
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety--Uniforms/Dress Codes |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Prohibits students from wearing, while on the grounds of a public school during the regular school day, clothing that exposes underwear or body parts in an indecent manner that disrupts the learning environment. Directs LEAs to specify discipline under dress code.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3558.pdf
Title: S.B. 3558
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires interest inventories to be administered to high school juniors and college sophomores to assist students in career decisions.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB2591.pdf
Title: S.B. 2591
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Prohibits LEAs, school administrators and educators from taking action that infringe on or waive first amendment rights of school personnel or students without written consent of those who would be affected.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB3266.pdf
Title: H.B. 3266
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides the county board of education may use the county's system of centralized procurement to provide life insurance plans for designated school board employees.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB2648.pdf
Title: S.B. 2648
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Directs the department of education to follow through and fulfill its publicly stated plan to provide multiple opportunities for feedback and future revision of the Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (TEAM).
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HJR0520.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 520
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Preparation |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Declares that teacher effect data made available to teacher preparation programs shall not be public records and shall be used only in evaluating the preparation programs.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3024.pdf
Title: S.B. 3024
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB3024.pdf |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides a director of schools may suspend a teacher at any time that may seem necessary prior to dismissal occurring, pending investigation. Finds teacher shall be paid if reinstated. Details redress privileges of tenured teachers.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2237.pdf
Title: H.B. 2237
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Drive |
Signed into law 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of safety to report annually to the senate and house education committees the number of students whose driver licenses were denied or suspended for failure to make satisfactory academic progress. Directs the department of safety also to report the number of such students whose licenses were granted or reinstated.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB0882.pdf
Title: S.B. 882
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education |
Signed into law 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Revises statute on CPR education, requiring schools to use hands-on practice and skills testing to support cognitive learning and training. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB1680.pdf
Title: S.B. 1680
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Curriculum--Sex Education |
Signed into law 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires the office of research and education accountability and the department of health to do studies on AIDS curricula. Directs department to survey other state health departments' AIDS public outreach and education programs.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2414.pdf
Title: H.B. 2414
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Health |
Signed into law 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Urges coaches of youth sports teams to take classes in first aid relative to the prevention, recognition, and treatment of concussions.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HJR0023.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 23
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Signed into law 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides that schools teaching courses in grades seven or eight that are also taught in any grade nine through twelve and which count toward high school graduation shall be classifed as secondary schools. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2653.pdf
Title: H.B. 2653
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires local boards of education to consider a transferring teacher's evaluations from a prior LEA in making tenure decisions. Allows the local board to shorten the probationary period for a teacher transferring into the LEA under certain circumstances.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2328.pdf
Title: H.B. 2328
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires a district, in which a charter school operates, to make available annually a list of the district's vacant properties and space.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB1980.pdf
Title: H.B. 1980
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the Department of Education's (DOE) Achievement School District (ASD) to be a chartering authority for a public charter school. Deletes the eligibility restrictions in current law and opens enrollment in public charter schools to all students residing within a local education agency (LEA). An LEA may also authorize public charter schools to enroll students who do not reside in the LEA's jurisdiction. Requires the chartering authority, if an LEA, to give preference in approval of charter school applications that demonstrate the capability to meet the needs of students who were assigned to or were previously enrolled in, a school failing to make adequate yearly progress (AYP), students who failed to test proficient in the subjects of reading/language arts or mathematics in grades three and eight on the TCAP tests, and students who failed to test proficient in the subjects of reading/language arts or mathematics on the end of course assessments in grades nine through twelve, or students who were eligible for free and reduced lunch. If a proposed charter school application is approved that focuses on a group or groups of students as set forth in the preceding sentences, the charter school shall give enrollment preference to that group or groups of students. The charter school shall include the number of enrolled students from the group or groups in their annual report. If the chartering authority is the ASD, the ASD shall only accept public charter school applications that demonstrate the capability to meet the needs of the above classifications of students. Authorizes an LEA to convert an eligible public school to a public charter school. Eliminates the cap on the number of public charter schools. Requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to give written reasons for sending an appealed charter school application back to the local board of education.
Authorizes local boards of education to consider whether the approval of a charter school will have a substantial negative fiscal impact on the LEA. If the local board of education denies a
charter school application for this reason, the local school board must give supporting documentation to the sponsor of the proposed charter school. This documentation shall be the
following: the current student enrollment number and an estimate of the number of students currently enrolled in the LEA that will transfer into the proposed charter school; an estimate of
the number of students who will no longer be enrolled in the LEA for reasons other than transfer to the proposed charter school in the school year that the proposed charter school will open; a projection of the LEA's student enrollment in the school year that the proposed charter school will open excluding the number of students transferring into the charter school. Describes details of what the projection needs to include.
Removes provisions requiring a lottery and preference requirements when the number of students seeking enrollment exceed the capacity of the public charter school. Authorizes a public
charter school's application to be revoked or denied if the school failed to make AYP for two consecutive years. Removes provisions relating to re-enactment of the public charter school law and the adoption of dates and timelines for the submission and processing of public charter school applications. Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to establish rules and regulations for the authorization of public charter schools by the ASD. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB1989.pdf
Title: H.B. 1989
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Amends charter schools provisions. Prohibits a local board of education from serving as the governing body of a public charter school. Requires governing bodies to conduct at least one annual board training course and provide documentation of such training to the chartering authority. Training courses must be certified by the Tennessee Charter Schools Association. Requires financial reports to include the audited financial statements of the charter school. More frequent reports cannot be required unless the chartering authority has reason to believe the school is not in compliance and states the reasons in writing.
Applications to renew must be submitted by October 1 of the year prior to the year in which the charter expires. On or before Feb. 1, the chartering authorigy is required to approve or deny the application. The decision is to be based on the report and evaluation required by law. Allows a decision to deny renewal to be appealed by the governing body to the state board of education within 10 days of the decision to deny. If the state board directs the chartering authority to approve the renewal, the charter schools is to continue to operate for the prescribed period of 10 years. A decision by the state board to deny the renewal is final, with no appeal.
Requires LEAs to distribute public charter school funding in nine equal payments and to include the district's projected per student funding for the current school year. Removes a provision mandating how capital funds received by the public charter school are used.
Requires that public charter schools that provide transportation other than through the LEA to receive all funds that would have been
spent by the LEA to provide this transportation.
Authorizes full-time employees other than teachers to participate in a local LEA group insurance plan. Authorizes approved public charter school applicants to delay opening the school for one calendar year and requires the Commissioner of Education to verify that no material changes have been made when the school is ready to open.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0507.pdf
Title: H.B. 1956
Source: http://state.tn.us |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board of education, in consultation with the department of education, to review the current elementary and secondary curriculum standards for the subject of United States and Tennessee government. - Amends TCA Title 49.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0372.pdf
Title: H.B. 1625
Source: http://state.tn.us/ |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the state board of education, in consultation with the department of education, to review the curriculum standards for civics education to determine whether the course of instruction in all public schools is designed to effectively and rigorously educate children in local, state and federal government.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0293.pdf
Title: S.B. 1483
Source: http://state.tn.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires a local board of education to allocate funding in an amount equal to the per pupil state and local funds received by the LEA to state licensed residential mental health facilities on a prorated daily basis for the student's length of stay, provided certain criteria have been met.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0426.pdf
Title: S.B. 1707
Source: http://state.tn.us/ |
Finance--Resource Efficiency |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Permits a city and a special school district with coterminous boundaries to specify by contract that city funding for the district shall be used half for district operations and half for issuance of bonds and, upon agreement of the city legislative body and the school board at the time that the bonds are issued, proceeds of any such bond issue shall be used for maintenance and construction at schools existing at the time the bonds are issued.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0347.pdf
Title: S.B. 1602
Source: http://state.tn.us |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Specifies that temporary absence of a member of a county board of education to serve in the military does not constitute a vacancy in office and is not subject to provisions of the code requiring a temporary replacement.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB1909.pdf
Title: H.B. 1909
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Extends the Sunset Law termination date for the department of education to June 30, 2013; requires the division of audit in the comptroller's office to provide its findings to the house and senate government operations committees by July 1, 2013, on the department's responses to the findings and recommendations in the January 2011 performance audit of the department.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0476.pdf
Title: H.B. 249
Source: http://state.tn.us |
Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires a parent who home schools a child to possess a high school diploma or GED. Defines home school "home school" as a school conducted or directed by a parent or parents or legal guardian or guardians for their own children. Allows public school
facilities to be used by home school participants with the approval of the principal of the school, but this permissive authority does not confer any right upon the participants to use public school facilities. If approved, use shall be in accordance with rules established by the local board of education.Authorizes home-school students to use public school facilities. Requires annual notice to the local director of schools prior to each school year of the parent-teacher's intent to conduct a home school and, for purpose of reporting only, submission to the director of schools of the names, number, ages and grade levels of the children to be home schooled, the location of the school, the proposed curriculum to be offered, the proposed hours of instruction and the qualifications of the parent-teacher relative to subdivision (b)(4). Information contained in the reports may be used only for record keeping and other purposes for which similar information on public school students may be used in accordance with guidelines, rules and regulations of the state board of education. Requires that attendance teachers are informed of parents' rights to conduct a home school. In the event of the illness of a parent-teacher, or at the discretion of the parent-teacher, a tutor, having the same qualifications that would be required of a parent-teacher teaching the grade level or course, may be employed by the parent-teacher. Amend Section 49-6-3050.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0499.pdf
Title: H.B. 1631
Source: http://state.tn.us |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Deletes the requirement that only students in K-12 who were enrolled in and attended a public school during the previous school year are eligible to participate in a virtual public education program.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0288.pdf
Title: S.B. 714
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Enacts "The Virtual Public Schools Act." Virtual schools may be established by an LEA. A virtual school is a public school and must be provided resources as any other public school in the state. Each school is required to provide each student enrolled ( 1) Access to a sequential curriculum that meets or exceeds the curriculum standards adopted by the state board of education and should have an interactive program with significant online components; (2) The same length of time for learning opportunities per academic year as required for public school students; provided, however, that a student, at the student's own pace, may demonstrate mastery or completion of a course or subject area and be given credit for the course or subject area; and (3) Regular assessment in language arts, math, science and social studies.
Virtual schools are required to provide each family with a student enrolled: (1) Provide instructional materials; (2) Ensure access to necessary technology such as a computer and printer; and (3) Ensure access to an Internet connection used for schoolwork.
Prohibits virtual schools from providing assistance to students or families to purchase instructional programs or materials but does not prohibit virtual schools from reimbursing families for costs associated with their Internet connection for use in the virtual school program. Requires teachers to be qualified to teach under existing law. Nothing precludes the use of computer-based and
Internet-based instruction for students in a virtual or remote setting. Requires virtual schoo!s to maintain an administrative office within the state (considered its principal place of business). Allows any student to enroll as either a full-time or parttime student. Authorizes districts to charge tuition to any person not enrolled in a public school within the LEA for attendance in an LEA established virtual school. In order to encourage collaboration among LEAs, authorizes virtual schools to operate according to the authority granted by the Educational Cooperation Act. Requires virtual schools to be evaluated annually by its establisher based on the following criteria:
(1) The extent to which the school demonstrates increases in student achievement according to the goals of its authorizing contract and state academic standards; and (2) The accountability and viability of the virtual school, as demonstrated by its academic, fiscal and operational performance.An establisher may contract for services with nonprofit and for-profit entities in the operation and management of the virtual school.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0492.pdf
Title: S.B. 874 and HB 1030
Source: http://state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes a student who has a documented medical disability that restricts the student's attendance to part-time to petition for an extension of the current five-year limitation in order for the student to retain the HOPE scholarship.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB2008.pdf
Title: S.B. 2008
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Changes the number and qualifications of students, the selection process, and term length for appointment to the board of the Tennessee student assistance corporation.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0394.pdf
Title: S.B. 77
Source: http://state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Enables students who first received the Tennessee HOPE scholarship, HOPE access grant or HOPE scholarship for nontraditional students in the fall semester 2009 or thereafter, to receive such lottery-funded scholarships and grants in the summer semester, in addition to the fall and spring semesters; revises the law on terminating events for the HOPE scholarship or access grant.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0437.pdf
Title: H.B. 2010
Source: http://state.tn.us |
Reading/Literacy |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, a student in the third grade may not be promoted to the next grade level unless the student has shown a basic understanding of curriculum and ability to perform the skills required in the subject of reading as demonstrated by the student's grades or standardized test results. However, such student may be promoted if the student participates in an LEA approved research-based intervention prior to the beginning of the next school year.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB1776.pdf
Title: S.B. 1776
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Prohibits charging a teacher with a day of leave for any day on which the teacher's school or school district is closed because of natural disaster, inclement weather, serious outbreak of contagious illness or other unexpected event.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0284.pdf
Title: S.B. 449
Source: http://state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Specifies that the commissioner may appoint to the state-level safety team a representative from "directors of schools, members of local boards of education, public school teachers, school counselors and psychologists, and parents of students enrolled in public schools" instead of from "the Tennessee organization of school superintendents, the Tennessee school boards association, the Tennessee education association, and the Tennessee state parent teacher association."
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0146
Title: H.B. 146
Source: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Enacts the "Kristen Azevedo Act" regarding background checks on persons applying to work at higher education institution in housing facilities who will have access to student rooms or apartments. Amends TCA Title 49.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0506.pdf
Title: H.B. 1951
Source: http://state.tn.us |
School Safety--Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires isolation and restraint to be imposed by school personnel who have been certified for completing a behavior intervention training program or other school personnel when trained personnel are not immediately available. Deletes the definition of state-approved training program and adds the definition of behavior intervention training program for the purposes of isolation and restraint of special education students. Requires the records that local education agencies (LEAs) keep on incidents of isolation and restraint to contain whether the individual imposing the isolation and restraint has completed a behavior intervention training program. Requires LEAs, to the extent possible, to include behavior intervention training during any in-service days that an LEA uses to address the issues of prevention and intervention strategies for students in the area of behavioral and emotional issues. Requires school personnel who have completed a behavior intervention training program to be renewed periodically. Requires all schools to maintain records of isolation and restraint and to report bi-annually on these incidents to the LEA using existing data systems.
Requires LEAs to report annually to the state department on the use of isolation and restraint. Requires the Department to report this information to the State Advisory Council for Education of Students with Disabilities and this requires the Council to make recommendations to the State Board of Education (SBOE). Requires the SBOE to use the recommendations and other data or reports to establish policies to reduce or eliminate the use of isolation and restraint.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB1336.pdf
Title: H.B. 1336
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation |
Passed 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the comptroller, in conjunction with the department of education, to study present statutes relating to the consolidation or merger of school districts.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HR0030.pdf
Title: H.R. 30
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
Postsec. |
Changes various requirements for registration of athlete agents, providing notice of athlete agent activities to higher education institutions and penalties for violations of Athlete Agent Reform Act of 2011.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0424.pdf
Title: S.B. 1671
Source: http://state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board, in consultation with the department of education, to review current policies, rules and regulations pertaining to transitional licensure options and make recommendations relative to the following:
(1) The clarification of provisions applicable to transitional license education providers affiliated with Tennessee institutions of higher educat¡on and providers that are not affillated with a Tennessee institution of higher education, such as out-of-state or online education-related organizations; (2) The process by which providers or transitional licensure programs receive approval by the state, and specifically such process for those providers that have been approved for an existing partnership with an LEA; and (3) lnforming LEAs of the availability of transitional llcensure options, including the feasibility of higher education institutions providing information relative to the requirements, cost and performance of transitional licensure programs.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0380.pdf
Title: S.B. 688
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Changes the method of selection of trustees of TCRS representing teachers and retired teachers from election by the representative assemblies of the Tennessee Education Association and the Tennessee Retired Teachers Association respectively to appointment by the speakers of the senate and the house; authorizes professional education employees' organizations to recommend persons to the speaker of each chamber of the general assembly for appointment to teacher trustee positions for TCRS.
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/107/pub/pc0280.pdf
Title: S.B. 102
Source: http://state.tn.us/ |
Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining |
Signed into law 06/2011 |
P-12 |
Deletes the Education Professional Negotiations Act and replaces it wtih the "Professional Educators
Collaborative Conferencing Act of 2011." Requires the development of a training program in the principles and techniques of interest-based collaborative problem-solving for use in collaborative conferencing. Requires any training program to be implemented, as appropriate, within each local education agency no later than July 1, 2012. Requires any and all bargaining being conducted pursuant to the Education Professional Negotiations Act on the effective date of this act to be suspended indefinitely. No collaborative conferencing pursuant to this part may be conducted by a local board of education until the training developed under this part has been implemented within the local education agency.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/CCRReports/CC0001.pdf
Title: S.B. 113
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Attendance |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
States that a parent, guardian or other person who has control of a truant student commits educational neglect. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 30.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB0413.pdf
Title: S.B. 413
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Attendance |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
States that attendance laws shall apply to remedial instruction for students who are determined to require such instruction, including summer school and after school programs.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB0414.pdf
Title: S.B. 414
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Eliminates the requirement that written notices of termination for K-12 teachers in public schools contain a statement of prior authorization by a majority vote of the local school board with the name of the teacher recorded.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB0731.pdf
Title: H.B. 731
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Career/Technical Education |
Passed 05/2011 |
P-12 |
A resolution to urge the United States Congress to oppose funding reductions in career and technical education programs.
Title: S.J.R. 111
Source: Westlaw/StateNet |
Civic Education--Civic Knowledge and Literacy |
to governor 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Specifies that each student must be taught the foundational instruments, mechanisms and values of American government and that no teacher or administrator in an LEA may be prohibited from using or reading from the United States Constitution during the course of educational instruction or from posting the Constitution in a public school building, classroom or at an event. Adds that students must be informed of the nature of America which makes it an exception, differentiated by its behavior, influence and contributions, from the other nations of the world and shown why America is a positive difference, that has led the world to improvements in science, agriculture, economics, education, justice, human rights, the standard of living, and liberty not only within our borders, but across the world. Students must also be informed of the characteristics of the United States government, to include:
(1) The Declaration of Independence separated our people from our former government. It explains why we were willing to war against our own king, what our values were, and how his tyranny had tried to take those values away; (2) The Constitution is the "rule book" for how the federal government works. No action is permitted unless permission for it can be found in the Constitution; (3) The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, with the Bill of Rights, are available for all to read today, and still apply in exactly the words they originally contained in simple English; and (4) The Constitution created a Republic, not a Democracy. The difference is that we do not directly choose our laws; we choose wise people from among us who will represent our interests, and who will honor the limitations we have put on them, to form our laws. Whatever needs our representatives may see, and whatever urges we as a people may feel from time to time, the government is only empowered to address certain listed issues. It is our duty to use prudence and understanding when we choose these representatives. Amends TCA Title 49.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB1625.pdf
Title: H.B. 1625
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires that state board of education mandate revisions to financial literacy education, including as component on certain achievement tests, after recommendations made by financial literacy commission.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB0912.pdf
Title: S.B. 912
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Curriculum--Physical Education |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires local education agencies (LEAs) to incorporate a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity each instructional day for elementary and secondary students. Currently, students are required to have a minimum of 90 minutes of physical activity per instructional week.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB0009.pdf
Title: H.B. 9
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the first AED received by a school to be placed in a location that can be readily accessed, which may include those areas used for physical education or activity.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB1633.pdf
Title: H.B. 1633
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Enacts the ''Move on When Ready Act." From the Fiscal Note: Authorizes any student entering the 11th or 12th grade who spent the prior year attending a public high school to dually enroll at any eligible post-secondary institution. Eligible institutions include public and private universities. Sets requirements for students to receive course credit. Requires state funding appropriated through the Basic Education Program (BEP) funding formula to be allocated to pay for courses taken at postsecondary institutions. Funding for courses shall be the lesser of the actual cost of tuition, student fees, and supplies, or the state per pupil expenditure that would have been generated by the BEP if the student had enrolled in equivalent instructional programs in the local education agency (LEA). An administrative fee of $200 is to be retained by the LEA. Prohibits eligible institutions from charging students in this program more than the funding amount. Requires the Department of Education to develop forms and counseling guidelines for this program and make forms and guidelines available to LEAs. Requires LEAs to inform students of the program and to provide counseling services before students enroll per guidelines established by the state Department of Education. The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2012.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB0837.pdf
Title: H.B. 837
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Leadership |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires notice of termination of director of schools to comply with same requirements as notice of extension of a director's contract. Prohibits school boards from extending the contract of a director of schools without giving notice of the intent to do so at least 15 calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting at which action shall be taken. Further, except in cases concerning
allegations of criminal or professional misconduct, no school board shall terminate the contract or remove a director of schools from office without giving notice at least 15 calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting at which action shall be taken. The proposed action shall be published as a specific, clearly stated item on the agenda for the meeting. Such item, for the convenience of the public
attending the meeting, shall be the first item on the agenda; requires termination of contract of director of schools to be first item on the agenda of the board meeting at which such action is to be considered.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB0717.pdf
Title: S.B. 717
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Urges employers to develop programs under which their employees with children in school can take time off to volunteer in their children's schools.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB1880.pdf
Title: S.B. 1880
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires that each LEA include a prohibition against cyber-bullying in its existing policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation or bullying (cyber-bullying includes bullying undertaken though an electronic communications device). Expands the definition of "harassment, intimidation or bullying" by including acts that take place off school property or outside a school-sponsored activity, if the act is directed at a student or students and has the effect of creating a hostile educational environment or otherwise creating a substantial disruption to the educational environment or learning process. This bill further expands the definition of "harassment, intimidation or bullying" by including acts that cause emotional distress to a student.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB0301.pdf
Title: H.B. 301
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching) |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
States that all local education agency employees in positions for which no teaching license is required shall be hired on an at-will basis.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB0905.pdf
Title: S.B. 905
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
State Policymaking |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the Comptroller's Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) to compile the activity, reports, and recommendations of certain groups involved in education reforms and make a report to the Governor and the Education Committees
of the General Assembly.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB0963.pdf
Title: H.B. 963
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board of education to adopt any rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the annual distribution, either in printed form or by electronic means, of the teacher code of ethics to educators employed in grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12). Requires the state board to develop training that can be used by local boards of education during in-service training and provide additional training opportunities online on specialized topics, including, but not limited to, the avoidance of ethical conflicts, defining ethical competence, the collision between personal preferences or values and individual student needs, and the path to responsible decision making in an educational setting. Online courses are to identify practical approaches to recognizing, understanding, exploring and avoiding ethical problems confronting educators in today's society and school environment.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB0854.pdf
Title: S.B. 854
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Substitute Teachers |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Authorizes substitute teachers to be employed and paid by a local education agency (LEA) or by a third party provider. Substitute teachers employed by a third party provider shall receive the same unemployment benefits as substitute teachers employed by local education agencies.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB1674.pdf
Title: S.B. 1674
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 05/2011 |
P-12 |
Eliminates the requirement for the State Board of Education to provide the General Assembly annual reports concerning the weight of elementary and secondary school textbooks.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB0037.pdf
Title: H.B. 37
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Finance--Private Giving |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes the University of Tennessee (UT) to designate foundations that have been established to support the University to receive private gifts for university support. Authorizes UT to enter into fee-for-service agreements with these foundations to lease university employees to the foundations to carry out the foundations' mission. All leased employees will retain full benefits. Authorizes UT to enter into fee-forservice agreements to provide services to these foundations.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB0306.pdf
Title: H.B. 306
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
From the Fiscal Note: Changes, from May 15 to June 15, the date by which teachers must receive termination notices and by which teachers and other school personnel must be assigned to a school for the next school year. Changes the probationary period that a teacher must serve before being eligible for tenure to five years or forty-five months in a seven-year period. Requires teachers to receive good performance reviews in the last two preceding probationary years before becoming eligible for tenure. Requires teachers who achieve tenure, resign from their position, and return to the school system to serve a probationary period of two years before being eligible for tenure again. These limitations do not apply to teachers who acquired tenure prior to June 15, 2011. Authorizes teachers who receive two consecutive years of poor teacher evaluations to be placed on probationary status for two years and authorizes tenure to be reinstated upon receiving two consecutive years of good teacher evaluations. Authorizes teacher evaluations to be a factor when determining whether a teacher who is on the preferred list for reemployment is qualified for a position.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB1528.pdf
Title: S.B. 1528
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Extends the termination date for the state board of education to June 30, 2013, and directs the division of state audit in the office of the comptroller of the treasury to provide its findings to the house and senate government operations committees by July 1, 2013, on the state board of education's responses to the findings and recommendations in the January, 2011, performance audit of the state board of education.
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0161 2011 TN HB 0253.
Title: S.B. 161
Source: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov |
School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation |
Signed into law 02/2011 |
P-12 |
From the Fiscal Note: Requires any consolidation of school systems between a special school district and a county school district, resulting in an increased enrollment in the county local education agency (LEA) of 100 percent or more, to follow the plan established for consolidation codified in Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 49-2-1201 through 49-2-1208. This plan calls for a consolidation planning committee, a written report, specification of alternatives regarding a consolidated school board and director, requirements for public hearings, approval or rejection by governing bodies, and a public referendum upon approval. The plan also authorizes a referendum by petition in cases of rejection by the last governing body empowered to act on the plan. http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/billinfo/BillSummaryArchive.aspx?BillNumber=SB0025&ga=107
Title: S.B. 25
Source: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov |
Assessment |
Signed into law 07/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires a student's score on a Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test to comprise 15%-20% of the student's final grade for the subject to which the test corresponds. Also sets a new testing window: no earlier than first Monday on or after April 22 and not prior to the completion of 150 days of instruction.
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/billinfo/BillSummaryArchive.aspx?BillNumber=SB3427&ga=106
Title: S.B. 3427
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Special Populations--Military |
Signed into law 07/2010 |
P-12 |
Makes Tennessee a member state to, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The stated purpose of the compact is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB1911.pdf
Title: H.B. 1911
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
STEM |
Issued 07/2010 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network within the department of education and requires the department to undertake various STEM activities in coordination with local education agencies, including but not limited to teacher professional development and curriculum development. Establishes an advisory council and authorizes the Battelle Memorial Institute to manage the network. http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/governor/AdminCMSServlet?action=viewFile&id=1525
Title: Executive Order #68
Source: http://www.tennesseeanytime.org |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12,
Community College |
Requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, in conjunction with the Department of Education, to develop, implement, and administer a program for the payment of the cost of licensing tests for adult students with financial need who
complete a high school diploma or a general educational development credential in a career and technical education program and who are required to take a test in order to become licensed for a career in their fields of study.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB2645.pdf
Title: H.B. 2645
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed. |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Requires the department of the treasury to develop by rule a financial literacy program for the purpose of improving the financial literacy and education of Tennessee citizens. Such program may include, but not necessarily be limited to, the development
of a strategy to promote training in budgeting and financial management, including debt management and other forms of financial literacy. The department shall administer the financial literacy program.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB3334.pdf
Title: H.B. 3334
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Before graduating from high school, students who have completed coursework in a foreign language are required to take a foreign language proficiency test. Requires the state board to establish a test for each foreign language that is taught in Tennessee public schools. If a student has completed coursework in more than one foreign language, the student is required to take a foreign language proficiency test for each of the languages studied. Tests are to be approved by the commissioner of education and provide
educators with diagnostic information to assist in developing curriculum for the purposes of increasing foreign language proficiency and improving preparation for postsecondary achievement. Each year, the results of the examinations are to be analyzed and reported
to the select oversight committee on education.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB0209.pdf
Title: H.B. 209
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Finance--Lotteries |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
Postsec. |
As enacted, redefines "eligible independent postsecondary institution" to include institutions that are members of an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. department of education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation; designates Knoxville College as an eligible independent postsecondary institution for purposes of lottery scholarships. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 9.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2899.pdf
Title: S.B. 2899
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires meetings of the state board of education, the Tennessee higher education commission, the Tennessee board of regents and the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee system to be video-streamed over the Internet. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB2474.pdf
Title: H.B. 2474
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
P-3 |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires a parent or caretaker relative receiving temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) services to participate in either a parent education training class or a program of volunteer service in a school.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB2644.pdf
Title: H.B. 2644
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
As students participating in the pilot after school programs complete high school, requires the Commissioner of Education to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot after-school program, as it pertains to increasing ACT and SAT scores, eligibility for lottery scholarships, and enrollment in postsecondary institutions, as compared to students who did not participate in the pilot after-school program. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB1869.pdf
Title: H.B. 1869
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Authorizes local education agencies (LEAs) to perform random drug testing on students who participate in extracurricular activities. Requires LEAs performing testing to have drug assistance and counseling programs in place at LEA expense. Requires LEAs to use existing resources to supply testing materials and counseling.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2621.pdf
Title: S.B. 2621
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 06/2010 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the provision of group medical health insurance for support staff of an LEA. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 27, Part 3.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3125.pdf
Title: S.B. 3125
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Attendance |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a prosecutor to allow parents or guardians of children violating truancy laws to attend parent education training and parent-teacher conferences as an alternative to criminal prosecution. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 30
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3246.pdf
Title: S.B. 3246
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
A resolution directing the Department of Education to study student access to optional schools and programs in Memphis City Schools and the possibility of implementation and expansion of such optional programs to every school within the district. Report is due by 2/1/2011.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HJR0781.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 781
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board of education to develop guidelines and criteria for the inclusion of foreign language instruction in grades kindergarten through six. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 1, Part 3 2009
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1075
Title: S.B. 1075
Source: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires that local districts update their policy pamphlets every two years, rather than annually.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3255.pdf
Title: S.B. 3255
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
High School--Advanced Placement |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Allows a school to establish an International Baccalaureate Programme fund or an Advanced Placement fund to receive donations or grants from individuals or from private corporations, associations or other artificial entities, both nonprofit and for profit, who desire to help support an International Baccalaureate Programme or an Advanced Placement program offered or attempted to be established by the school. Monies in such fund are to be used solely for academic enhancement in support of the program for which the fund
was created. The principal of each school establishing a fund is required to appoint a committee that is responsible for the determination of the use of funds for the program for which the fund was created. Amends § 49-2-1
http://state.tn.us/sos/acts/106/pub/pc0931.pdf
Title: S.B. 3304
Source: http://state.tn.us |
International Benchmarking |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
A RESOLUTION to express support of a world-class public education system for Tennessee and expectations that teachers, parents, and students must all pursue excellence to achieve that goal.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SJR0798.pdf
Title: S.J.R. 798
Source: Westlaw/StateNet |
International Benchmarking |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Urges institutions of higher education offering approved teacher training programs to offer comparative education programs
that examine teaching practices and learning outcomes in other countries. Amends TCA Title 49 2009 TN HB 0376.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Fiscal/HB0376.pdf
Title: S.B. 1743
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Prohibits parent whose parental rights have been terminated from being eligible to receive child's report card or other information concerning child's schooling. - Amends TCA Title 49.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3053.pdf
Title: S.B. 3053
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Postsecondary Students--Adults |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
Postsec. |
A resolution to require the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and the University of Tennessee (UT) to accommodate non-traditional students seeking to complete degrees by accepting completed coursework and credits to the extent authorized by the institution's academic standards.
Link to fiscal note: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Fiscal/HJR0959.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 959
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety--Special Education |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Allows any school resource officer who witnesses an offense by a student receiving special education to take the student into custody.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3583.pdf
Title: S.B. 3583
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Directs the Department of Education to study green cleaning practices in public schools.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HJR0767.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 767
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board to develop and adopt a teacher code of ethics to be used in defining conduct unbecoming a teacher. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 1, Part 3 and Title 49, Chapter 5 2009
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2416.pdf
Title: S.B. 2416
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Technology |
Signed into law 05/2010 |
P-12 |
Authorizes local education agencies (LEAs) to donate computers that have been removed from LEA inventory to low-income families within the school district. Requires the hard drives of these computers to be sanitized. Requires the Department of Education to give guidance to the LEAs on the implementation of such a policy.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3425.pdf
Title: S.B. 3425
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires the Commissioner of Education to include a description of short and long-term educational programs that are
offered to juveniles in detention facilities and the number of juveniles served in the Commissioner's annual report.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2198.pdf
Title: S.B. 2198
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires approval by the director of schools or the director's designee for a teacher to take personal leave on days when professional development, in-service training, or parent-teacher conferences are scheduled, according to a school calendar adopted by the local board of education prior to the commencement of the school year.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2630.pdf
Title: S.B. 2630
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires the State Board of Education to study the integration of geographic information technology into career and technical education curriculum and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to study the integration of geographic
information technology into adult education curriculum. Requires both entities to make a report to the Education Committees of the General Assembly on or before March 1, 2011.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2767.pdf
Title: S.B. 2767
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
As enacted, urges civics class be taught in high school.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3432.pdf
Title: S.B. 3432
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Prohibits the reduction or denial of unemployment benefits due to the claimant's enrollment in any institution of higher
education.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB2092.pdf
Title: H.B. 2092, S.B. 1491
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Finance--Lotteries |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
From the Fiscal Note: Requires the Commissioner of Education to report annually any findings and recommendations concerning the system of competitive grants and technical assistance for after-school education programs to the chairs of the Senate Education Committee and the House Education Committee.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB0980.pdf
Title: S.B. 980
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires all K-12 public schools to have automated defibrillator devices (AEDs) on-site. Authorizes local education agencies (LEAs) to receive grants and donations to help off-set the cost of AEDs. Classifies misuse or abuse of an AED on school property as disorderly conduct and subjects such students to disciplinary action.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2505.pdf
Title: S.B. 2505
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Health |
Signed by Governor 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Enacts the "Kristen K. Hunter Infection Control Act," which will require the department of health to issue an annual advisory to the department of education explaining the risks of community associated methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and providing guidance on the most current methods on recognizing and preventing such infections. The departments will be required to post links to the information contained in the advisory and the advisory will be distributed to primary and secondary schools and early childhood programs.
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/billinfo/BillSummaryArchive.aspx?BillNumber=SB3828&ga=106
Title: S.B. 3828
Source: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov |
P-3 Preschool |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires the Office of Early Learning in the Department of Education to post its annual report on the status of pre-kindergarten programs on the Office of Early Learning's website. The report is supposed to include the number, location, and types of providers of pre- kindergarten classrooms and the number of risk students served.
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB3737
Title: H.B. 3737
Source: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
In determining the classroom assignments of multiple birth siblings, the board of education is required to give preference to a request of the parent as to the placement of such children.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2480.pdf
Title: S.B. 2480
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Urges local education agencies to consider the needs of working parents in scheduling parent-teacher meetings.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3276.pdf
Title: S.B. 3276
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires schools to have a plan for parent participation in the schools which is designed to improve parent and teacher cooperation in such areas as homework, attendance, discipline, and planning for higher education opportunities for students.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB1321.pdf
Title: S.B. 1321
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
Postsec. |
Requires the higher education commission to study and report on the General Assembly Merit Scholarship program and its success in promoting exception academic achievement in college (the number of students in each class who retain General Assembly Merit Scholarships throughout their college careers and the number of students who do not retain General Assembly Scholarships and the reasons therefore). Requires the higher education commission to analyze whether the retention standards for General Assembly Scholarships should be increased to promote further exceptional academic achievement in college.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB1317.pdf
Title: S.B. 1317
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
Postsec. |
Requires the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to report the student tuition subsidy for each public higher education institution to the Education and Finance, Ways, and Means Committees of the General Assembly.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3266.pdf
Title: S.B. 3266
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
Postsec. |
Requires the Tennessee Board of Regents to hold at least one annual meeting. Authorizes additional meetings to be held at the call of the Board secretary. Requires Board members to be given five days notice before a meeting can be held.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3680.pdf
Title: S.B. 3680
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires survey of extended learning programs to be disseminated by the Department of Education to all LEAs so that successful programs may be replicated. Chapter 737
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB3415.pdf
Title: H.B. 3415
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires the commissioner of education to encourage Lottery for Education Afterschool programs to provide extended learning that is complementary to school curricula.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3321.pdf
Title: S.B. 3321
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Extends membership in the State Consolidated Retirement System to all employees instead of just the administrative employees of certain employers; provides that teachers who subsequently take non teaching positions in the school system may continue retirement participation as a teacher; allows political subdivisions to rejoin the retirement system; states that the board of trustees of the retirement system may purchase or sell futures contracts for asset allocation relating to the equity portfolios.
Authorizes the board of directors of any of the following participating associations to pass a resolution to extend retirement coverage to all non-administrative employees of the respective association, instead of to only the administrative employees of such association:
(1) The Tennessee Education Association;
(2) The Professional Educators of Tennessee;
(3) The Tennessee Association of Secondary School Principals;
(4) Educational television associations;
(5) The Tennessee School Boards Association; and
(6) The Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3138.pdf
Title: S.B. 3138
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Changes, from April 15 to May 15, the annual date by which teachers must be notified in writing of their dismissal, reelection, or that their position has been abolished by the local board of education. Chapter No. 798
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB2772.pdf
Title: H.B. 2772
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 04/2010 |
P-12 |
Authorizes students to take textbooks home that are issued to them. This authorization does not prohibit teachers from requiring that books be brought back to the classroom.
http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB3711
Title: H.B. 3711
Source: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov |
High School--Dropout Rates/Graduation Rates |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
P-12 |
From the fiscal note: Requires local education agencies (LEAs) to document student withdrawals and transfers to another school, system, or state through the best possible means and where possible, a permanent record detailing the transfer be kept. Prohibits the Department of Education from requiring LEAs to obtain formal written proof that a student who has moved to another state has enrolled in a school or program that will lead to a high school degree. Requires that students who pass the GED be counted as high school graduates for the purposes of calculating graduation rates; however, GED students shall not be counted for the purposes excluded by federal law. Chapter 735
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB3148.pdf
Title: H.B. 3148
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
Postsec. |
Entitles private non-profit institutions of higher education chartered in Tennessee to purchase and contract for the purchase of any materials, supplies, equipment, and services through the department of general services to the same extent the state public colleges, universities, and technology centers may do so.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3512.pdf
Title: S.B. 3512
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
P-12 |
As enacted, allows local education agencies greater flexibility in extending the school day in order to offset days used for professional development or weather-related closings.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB3031.pdf
Title: S.B. 3031
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires a sexual offender or violent sexual offender to obtain written permission or a request from school principal or facility administrator before attending a conference at the school as a parent or providing transportation to the offender's child at the school.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2988.pdf
Title: S.B. 2988
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
Postsec. |
Prevents the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association and its member institutions from being held liable for breach of confidentiality of student data or records that are required to be submitted to THEC, if the breach was a result of the actions of the commission or its staff.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2793.pdf
Title: S.B. 2793
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness |
Signed into law 03/2010 |
P-12 |
Requires that evaluations be part of a teacher's permanent record, and as such to be available for review upon request by the teacher. Chapter 731
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB2810.pdf
Title: H.B. 2810
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 01/2010 |
P-12 |
Enacts the Tennessee First to the Top Act of 2010. From fiscal note: Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to move any public
school or local education agency (LEA) into or out of a newly created "Achievement School District" (ASD) if the school is in the fifth year of improvement status or at any time a Title I school meets the U.S. Department of Education's definition of "persistently lowest achieving schools." Authorizes the Commissioner to contract with an individual, government entity, or nonprofit entity to manage the day-to-day operations of the ASD. The Administrator of the ASD may apply to the Commissioner for a waiver of any state board rule that hinders the ability of the school or LEA to meet adequate yearly progress (AYP) benchmarks. Authorizes the administrator of the ASD to determine whether any teacher previously assigned to a school in the ASD will have the option of continuing to teach at that school. Any teacher not retained in the ASD will remain an employee of the LEA, subject to provisions in current law for dismissal. Eliminates current law restriction on use of specific teacher's effect on the educational progress of students in formal personnel evaluations. Schools or LEAs will remain in the ASD until achieving AYP for three consecutive years, at which time they will transition back to their pre-ASD status.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Fiscal/HB7010.pdf
Title: S.B. 7005A - H.B. 7010A
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 01/2010 |
P-12 |
Increases the maximum class size for career and technical education classes (CTE) from 25 to 35 students. Limits Basic Education Plan (BEP) funding of CTE classes to the amount provided for academic classes in grades 7-12. Increases the average class size for CTE classes from 20 to 30 students.
Link to fiscal note: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Fiscal/HB7010.pdf
Title: S.B. 7005A - H.B. 7010A - Multiple Provisions
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Leadership |
Signed into law 01/2010 |
P-12 |
Creates a Teacher Evaluation Advisory Committee (TEAC) composed of 15 members, including the Commissioner of Education, the Executive Director of the State Board of Education, the Chairs of the Education Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, and 11 other members appointed by the Governor. Requires the TEAC to develop and recommend to the Board guidelines and criteria for annual evaluation of all teachers and principals, including a grievance procedure. Effective no later than July 1, 2011, requires the Board to adopt policies to implement the recommended guidelines and criteria. Annual evaluation of principals shall be based in part on student achievement data. Student achievement data will make up 50% of the evaluation criteria, with 35% on student growth; 15% on other measures of achievement. Authorizes LEAs to develop their own proposed salary schedules, subject to approval by the Commissioner. No salary schedule may reduce the salary of any teacher employed at the time the salary schedule is adopted. Grants any tenured teacher the right to a hearing before an impartial hearing officer selected by the local board of education prior to termination.
Link to fiscal note: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Fiscal/HB7010.pdf
Title: S.B. 7005A - H.B. 7010A
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 01/2010 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Enacts the Complete College Tennessee Act of 2010. Revises previously established provisions to require the Tennessee higher education commission (THEC) to construct a statewide master plan that directs higher education to be accountable for increasing the educational attainment levels of Tennesseans. This bill also requires THEC, in consultation with the respective governing boards, to approve institutional mission statements concurrent with the adoption of each revised statewide master plan. Each institutional mission statement must characterize the institution's distinctiveness in degree offerings and address institutional accountability. Removes the requirement for THEC to develop county and regional profiles. Specifies that funding recommendations made by THEC must reflect the priorities of the approved master plan. The master plan must address the state's economic development, work force development, and research needs; ensure increased degree production within the state's capacity to support higher education; and use institutional mission differentiation to realize statewide efficiencies through institutional collaboration and minimized redundancy in degree offerings, instructional locations, and competitive research. Requires the Board of Regents to establish a comprehensive, statewide coordinated community college system. Requires the THEC to develop and the Regents to implement a common course-numbering system by fall 2011 and to ddress transfer/articulation by identifying 60 hours of coursework that will transfer as a block from two-year to four-year colleges. After July 1, 2012, four-year institutions may no longer provide remedial or developmental instruction to any student unless it corrdinates its efforts with a two-year college to teach the student (who then must enroll at both institutions).
Under present law, THEC must develop policies and formulae or guidelines for fair and equitable distribution and use of public funds among the state's institutions of higher learning that are consistent with and further the goals of the statewide master plan, taking into account enrollment projections, recognizing institutional differences as well as similarities in function, services, academic programs and levels of instruction. This bill deletes the requirement that the developed policies and formulae or guidelines "take into account enrollment projections, recognizing institutional differences as well as similarities in function, services, academic programs and levels of instruction." Under present law, the policies and formulae or guidelines must also support and enhance regional collaboration and student access through financial aid, while being mindful of the funding capacity of the state. This bill removes this requirement. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB7006.pdf
Link to fiscal note: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Fiscal/HB7008.pdf
Title: S.B. 7006, H.B. 7008
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Finance--Federal |
Signed into law 07/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the state school bond authority to report the total funds received under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to the chairs of the senate and house finance, ways and means committees by January 2, 2010.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB1988.pdf
Title: H.B. 1988
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2009 |
P-12 |
Relates to sexual offenders; prohibits sexual offender from being upon the premises of or loitering within 1,000 feet of a school, day care center, park, playground, or recreation center when child under 18 likely to be present. Defines "loitering" as remaining for a period of time and under circumstances that a reasonable person would determine is for the primary purpose of observing or contacting a child under the age of 18.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB1120.pdf
Title: H.B. 1120
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires board of education to convene a summit of various education stakeholders to discuss school safety issues. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB0687.pdf
Title: H.B. 687
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Assessment |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires commissioner to establish dates for the administration of assessments required for graduation that provide the maximum number of instructional days possible prior to testing while maintaining compliance with federal law; requires the commissioner to establish yearly dates for the administration of the grades three through eight achievement tests that provide the maximum number of instructional days possible prior to testing while maintaining compliance with federal law; establishes August 1 as the earliest date for starting the school year, beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, unless an LEA's board of education establishes a year-round school year by majority vote. - Amends TCA Title 49.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB1393.pdf
Title: H.B. 1393
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Bilingual/ESL |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWFD), in conjunction with the Department of Education (DOE), to establish and administer a grant program known as the "We Want to Learn English Initiative" for the purpose of providing resources for immigrants and refugees to learn English.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB1745.pdf Initiative
Title: S.B. 1745
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
From fiscal note: Authorizes the state board of education to be a charter school governing body. Removes cap on the number of charter schools, enrollment eligibility restrictions, and requirements; opens enrollment to all students eligible to attend a regular public school. Increases, from five to 10, the number of years a charter school may be chartered. Requires the local education agency (LEA) to give the charter school all applicable funding including federal Title I, federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and BEP capital outlay funds excluding debt service. Revises the report that a charter school must give during a renewal application. Link to bill summary: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/billinfo/BillSummaryArchive.aspx?BillNumber=SB2133&ga=106
To bill text: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2133.pdf
Title: S.B. 2133
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Authorizes local governments or local education agencies to create a promise zone under the direction and approval of the Department of Revenue (DOR). Entities creating these zones shall create a promise zone authority to manage the program. Creating entities will give college scholarships to students living within the zone and who graduate from a high school within the promise zone or receive their general education diploma (GED). A portion of the sales and use tax earmarked for education shall be used to fund these scholarships. Authorizes the use of other local funding for scholarships.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB0885.pdf
Title: H.B. 885
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Authorizes local boards of education to cooperate with community organizations to provide extended learning opportunities.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB1320.pdf
Title: S.B. 1320
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
As introduced, requires an LEA revising its policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying, which was filed with the commissioner of education, to transmit the revised policy to the commissioner. - Amends TCA Title 49.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB0681.pdf
Title: S.B. 681
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Prohibits the issuance of an arrest warrant or criminal summons without written approval of the appropriate district attorney general to the parents or legal guardians of a child who allege that an employee of a local education agency (LEA), who had supervisory or disciplinary power over the child, engaged in conduct that harmed the child.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB1210.pdf
Title: H.B. 1210
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows school buses to be used up to 20 years of service, subject to annual safety inspections, by extending permissible, yearly waiver limit for their service life after initial 12 years of service from current three years to eight years.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB0092.pdf
Title: H.B. 92
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 06/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides that employee bonuses and performance compensation are not conditions of employment that the board of education and professional employees' organization have to negotiate in good faith.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2002.pdf
Title: S.B. 2002
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education (DOE) to develop standards for parental involvement in K-12 public schools and include a report on local education agency (LEA) compliance at the district and school levels in the DOE Tennessee Education Report Card beginning in the 2010-11 school year and subsequent years.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB0293.pdf
Title: S.B. 293
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Accountability--Rewards |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Encourages each local district to develop an Education Pays pilot program for at-risk students to encourage student academic achievement through award of Education Pays rewards. An "Education Pays reward" is a reward of cash or other thing of value given to students or the parent or guardian of a student or both in recognition of academic achievement. Authorizes funding of an Education Pays pilot program through private funds. This bill encourages the state board of education to study the effects of Education Pays rewards in Tennessee and similar programs in other states and report its findings to the education committee of each house of the general assembly.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB0556.pdf
Title: H.B. 556
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB0556.pdf |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Relates to board of regents; requires the board of regents to study feasibility of cooperative career and technical programs between LEAs and Tennessee technology centers or other two-year institutions offering career and technical education.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB1084.pdf
Title: S.B. 1084
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes any student to substitute three semester or three quarter hours of American government for three of the semester or quarter hours in American history required for a baccalaureate degree if offered by the higher education institution (was 6 semester hours/9 quarter). http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/billinfo/BillSummaryArchive.aspx?BillNumber=SB1073&ga=106
Title: S.B. 1073
Source: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows local boards of education to delegate authority regarding assignment of individual students for decision-making on certain matters.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB0217.pdf
Title: S.B. 217
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Urges department of health to enhance current immunization activities to focus on vaccination of all children ages six months through 18 years of age, as recommended by National Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices. -
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SJR0085.pdf
Title: S.J.R. 85
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Makes all schools, instead of just high schools, eligible for grants from the Tennessee center for diabetes prevention and health improvement.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB2270.pdf
Title: H.B. 2270
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
As introduced, instructs the state board of education to review district policies on school personnel recommending psychotropic drugs such as Ritalin to treat elementary and secondary school students for behavioral concerns; requires the state board to report its findings to the select oversight committee on education. - Amends TCA Title 49.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB1925.pdf
Title: S.B. 1925
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
Health--Child Abuse |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires private schools and church-related schools to turn over records on a child who is the subject of a child abuse investigation and to cooperate fully with the investigation. - Amends TCA Section 37-1-406.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB1740.pdf
Title: S.B. 1740
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
Health--Mental Health |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Prohibits universal mental health testing or psychiatric or socio-emotional screening of juveniles unless consented to by a parent or guardian, ordered by the court, done on an emergency basis in connection with a disaster or epidemic, or as required by the Early, Periodic, Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program. Prohibits a local education agency (LEA) from using a parent's refusal of medication or screening as grounds for not allowing the child to participate in classes or school-related activities or as a basis for child abuse, child neglect, educational abuse, or medical neglect. Limits LEA staff who can perform an evaluation and requires the LEA to inform each parent of his or her rights under the provisions of the bill.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB0850.pdf
Title: S.B. 850
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
High School |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires a high school diploma awarded by any legal means including home school diplomas to be recognized as a regular public high school diploma.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB0433.pdf
Title: S.B. 433
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
High School--Dropout Rates/Graduation Rates |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of education to explore with the Tennessee congressional delegation and the United States department of education modification of No Child Left Behind determination of who is a dropout for students who receive a GED and pass appropriate examinations established by the state board of education or have good scores on the ACT. - Amends TCA Title 49. http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/billinfo/BillSummaryArchive.aspx?BillNumber=SB2030&ga=106
Title: S.B. 2030
Source: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov |
High School--Exit Exams |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Removes requirement of passage of the Tennessee comprehensive assessment program tests in order to receive a full diploma. (No impact of substance for end-of-course assessments.)
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2312.pdf
Title: S.B. 2312
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
P-3 Ensuring Quality |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
From the fiscal note: Authorizes local education agencies (LEAs) to contract out for the provision of child care services and requires LEAs to contract with only child care providers who have met the highest standards of the Department of Human Service's rating system. Limits contracts with these entities to those organizations that are located within the LEA's geographic
area of service. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2328.pdf
Title: S.B. 2328
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
Postsec. |
Requires the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) with the assistance of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), the University of Tennessee (UT), and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC), to study tuition relief programs for veterans that have been enacted in other states and the feasibility of establishing such programs for veterans attending higher education institutions in Tennessee.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB1693.pdf
Title: S.B. 1693
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
Postsec. |
Requires HOPE Scholarship students who currently retain the scholarship as a result of maintaining at least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average, and a 3.0 grade point average in the last
semester in which the student attended full-time, to maintain full-time and continuous enrollment for continued scholarship retention. Current law requires these students to maintain full-time enrollment for scholarship retention.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB0771.pdf
Title: S.B. 771
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education (DOE) to study the Lottery for Education After-School Program (LEAP) for its effectiveness of providing complementary learning opportunities to the regular school curriculum and whether additional opportunities are needed. The DOE shall make a report of its findings to the Education Committees of the General Assembly by the second Tuesday of January 2010.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB0979.pdf
Title: S.B. 979
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
As introduced, requires the department of education to survey LEAs concerning extended learning opportunities in LEAs or communities and to include the results of the survey in the commissioner's annual report.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB0982.pdf
Title: S.B. 982
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Expands the offenses for which notice must be given to schools when an adjudicated delinquent juvenile offender is sent back into a regular school setting (to include an offense involving the use or attempted use of force, violence, or a deadly weapon).
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB0680.pdf
Title: S.B. 680
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Removes the authorization for an LEA to transport up to 15 students to and from an interscholastic athletic or other interscholastic or school sponsored activity in a van. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2327.pdf
Title: S.B. 2327
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires, rather than encourages, school districts to include certain criteria in policies prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB0283.pdf
Title: S.B. 283
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires written referrals for student's behavior to be returned to faculty or staff member issuing the referral. The referral would be kept in a student discipline file and would not become a part of the student's permanent record. If a school district or school has adopted an electronic system of making disciplinary referrals instead of using written referrals, then the member of the faculty or staff making the referral must be notified of the action taken, but the notification may be made either electronically or in writing.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB0374.pdf
Title: H.B. 374
Source: http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov |
School Safety--Disaster/Emergency Preparedness |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides that in the event of a natural disaster or serious outbreak of illness affective or endangering students or staff during a school year, the Commissioner of Education may waive for such school year the requirement for 180 days of classroom instruction, if such request is submitted to the commissioner by the Director of Schools; provides the request may be for the entire local education agency or for individual schools with the agency. Pub. Ch. 272
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Amend/SA0447.pdf
Title: S.B. 899
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education (DOE) to develop an alternative teacher licensure program for U.S. Air Force instructors who have taught at the Community College of the Air Force.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB1703.pdf
Title: S.B. 1703
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/ |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 05/2009 |
P-12 |
Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-5-512(c), is amended by deleting subdivision (1) in its entirety and by substituting instead the following: (1) In any county with a metropolitan form of government and a population of more than five hundred thousand (500,000), according to the 2000 federal census or any subsequent federal census, a tenured teacher receiving notification of charges pursuant to § 49-5-511, may, within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice, demand a hearing on such charges. Previous law permitted a hearing only for charges related to
dismissals.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB1446.pdf
Title: S.B. 1446
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Authorizes students graduating solely by attending an alternative school.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/SB2326.pdf
Title: S.B. 2326
Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Outlines procedures to be followed re: schools identified as in improvement.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1006.pdf
Title: H.B. 4148
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1006.pdf |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Clarifies that any person, corporation, or other entity who enters or renews a contract, or contracts with any person or entity who enters or renews a contract, with a school, local board of education, or child care program is responsible for obtaining criminal background checks on all employees who go on school grounds; authorizes out-of-state employers to satisfy requirement by showing that background checks were conducted in another state; creates limited exemptions to background check requirement. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 5, Part 4. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1080.pdf
Title: S.B. 2807
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires all students wishing to enter approved teacher training programs shall be required to: (1) Supply a fingerprint sample and submit to a criminal history records check to be conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (2) Agree that the TBI may send to the teacher training program information indicating the results of the criminal history records check. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1180.pdf
Title: S.B. 3285
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Ceates a task force to study and evaluate statutory inconsistencies and technical issues, fiscal issues, administrative compliance, identification and communication of charter schools' best practices, facility needs, transportation, food services, communication between LEAs and charter schools' boards, principals and administrative staff and employee benefits, and charter school boards' accountability. Sets parameters for admission selection process. Keeps prior provisions related establishment of new charter schools. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1133.pdf
Title: S.B. 3401
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Prohibits public charter school sponsorship by private elementary and secondary schools. Authorizes private higher education institutions to sponsor public charter schools. Current law prohibits all private schools from sponsoring a public charter school.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1101.pdf
Title: S.B. 3283
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Demographics--Condition of Children/Adults |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Concerns Commission on Children and Youth; requires the commission to design and oversee a resource mapping of all federal and state funding sources and streams that support the health, safety, permanence, growth, development, and education of children in the state.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1197.pdf
Title: S.B. 4012
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Directs the Basic Education Program (BEP) Review Committee to study funding policies implemented by local governments in light of the increased state funding by BEP 2.0 and report to the General Assembly by November 1, 2008, as part of its annual report.
Title: S.J.R. 1180
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Enacts the "Energy Efficient Schools Initiative [EESI] of 2008." Creates an 11 member Energy Efficient Schools Council and sets out the requirements for selection of members, term of members, expenses eligible for reimbursement, purpose of the council, election of officers. Authorizes the Council to hire staff and raise private funds to support initiatives. Authorizes the Council to establish a five member technical advisory committee. Authorizes the council to award grants and loans to school systems for qualifying capital outlay projects. Requires the Comptroller of the Treasury to conduct an annual audit of the council. Establishes a separate energy efficient school fund in the state treasury.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1188.pdf
Title: S.B. 4039
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board to develop policies and guidelines for the operation of virtual education programs, including those operated by the Department of Education. Requires the department to monitor enrollments, etc. and to report annually. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1096.pdf
Title: S.B. 2008
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Provides that if a student is a victim of child abuse or sexual abuse that occurred on school grounds or under the schools care, then the principal must verbally notify the parents and provide all school information and records relevant to the alleged abuse. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1011.pdf
Title: H.B. 3162
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Specifies that identifying opportunities for parents to participate in and support classroom instruction in the school includes the following: organizing fundraising activities; volunteering as a field trip chaperone; assisting in the library, computer lab, or on the playground; offering after school clubs; and recycling clothes.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1097.pdf
Title: S.B. 2162
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Makes changes to eligibility requirements for HOPE scholarships; enacts the "Helping Heroes Act of 2008" to provide scholarships for veterans; enacts the "Tennessee Rural Health Act of 2008" to provide scholarships to students in health care fields who agree to practice in health resource shortage areas; creates pilot project to provide laptop computers to 100 students in each grand division (students, who are juniors and seniors in high school and who are eligible for dual enrollment grants under this section, in enrolling in dual enrollment courses that require a computer to facilitate the offering of such course or as necessary equipment for such course.) - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 9. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1142.pdf
Title: H.B. 653
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
Postsec. |
Requires postsecondary educational institutions to disclose information regarding transferability of credits; requires postsecondary educational institutions to disclose on their Web sites all information related to tuition that must be provided to THEC and provide a link to the THEC Web site to facilitate access to information regarding graduation rates and job placement data. - Amends TCA Title 49.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1103.pdf
Title: S.B. 3789
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Religion |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the state board of education to approve a curriculum for an elective state-funded course of a nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study of the Bible. Any LEA that elects to offer the Bible course and utilize an approved textbook would be required to do so in a manner that is consistent with the state and federal constitutions. This bill prohibits the use of any religious test or association when assigning teachers for Bible courses pursuant to this bill. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1037.pdf
Title: S.B. 4104
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Creates a "lottery for education after school programs (LEAP) grant fund." This bill specifies that in any year that the lottery-funded scholarship program is funded and excess funds from net lottery proceeds are available in the after school account (instead of the lottery for education account) for other allowable purposes, the governor may recommend, and the general assembly may appropriate, such moneys to the LEAP grant fund. These changes would apply under the present law provisions regarding grants for eligible organizations providing pilot after school educational programs. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1175.pdf
Title: S.B. 2809
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Enacts the Special Education Isolation and Restraint Modernization and Positive Behavioral Supports Act; ensures that every student receiving special education services is free from unreasonable, unsafe and unwarranted uses of isolation and restraint; promotes, through staff training, positive behavioral supports that reduce dependence on those practices; ensures that teachers are properly trained to protect the student, teacher and others from physical harm, if isolation or restraint is necessary.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1195.pdf
Title: S.B. 2609
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Creates a Class B misdemeanor for communicating a death threat concerning a school employee if:
(1) The person communicates to another a threat to cause the death of or serious bodily injury to a school employee and the threat is directly related to the employee's scope of employment;
(2) The threat involves the use of a firearm or other deadly weapon;
(3) The person to whom the threat is made reasonably believes that the person making the threat intends to carry out the threat;
(4) The person making the threat intentionally engages in conduct that constitutes a substantial step in the commission of the threatened act and the threatened act and the substantial step when taken together: (A) Are corroborative of the person's intent to commit the threatened act; and (B) Occur close enough in time to evidence an intent and ability to commit the threatened act.
Applies to K-12 and postsecondary level schools. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1141.pdf
Title: H.B. 583
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Authorizes districts to promulgate and adopt rules and regulations to prohibit gang activities on school property; requires each local education agency to annually evaluate the threat to and influence on school children by gangs in the community. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1195.pdf
Title: S.B. 2554
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
Postsec. |
Requires a public institution of higher education to notify a parent or legal guardian of a student under 21 years of age who has committed a disciplinary violation with respect to the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance that is in violation of any federal, state, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the institution, except as prohibited by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1189.pdf
Title: S.B. 4108
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 06/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires each local education agencies' director of schools to submit an annual personnel report to the department.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC1102.pdf
Title: S.B. 3409
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires the commissioner of education to report on a semi-annual basis to the select oversight committee on education and the education committees of each house of the general assembly regarding disciplinary actions in Tennessee schools. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 49.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3321.pdf
Title: H.B. 3321
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Permits the creation of work experience and career employment programs that provide study and employment in career and technical education programs for students 14 years of age or older; provided, that such programs comply with state and federal law on employment of minors. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 50.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2891.pdf
Title: H.B. 2891
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Curriculum--Arts Education |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires that art supplies purchased by any school or school district for use by students in K-6 must be certified non-toxic by the Arts and Creative Materials Institute and must bear the Approved Product (AP) or Certified Product (CP) seal certifying that the product is safe and contains no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to children; revises other provisions regarding art supplies for students. - Amends TCA Title 49.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3322.pdf
Title: H.B. 3322
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Curriculum--Arts Education |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires each Local Education Agency to include art and music education in all K-12 public schools (to help each student foster creative thinking, spatial learning, discipline,
craftsmanship and the intrinsic rewards of hard work.) Directs the state board of education to provide appropriate curriculum for such instruction.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2920.pdf
Title: S.B. 2920
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Considers all county, municipal and special school districts in the state to be separate governmental entities. Allows the school boards of each county, municipal, and special school district to establish ethical standards used to govern their respective school district.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3024.pdf
Title: S.B. 3024
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Leadership |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
No school board may extend the contract of a director of schools without giving notice of intent to do so at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting at which action will be taken, giving notice as required, and including such proposed action as a specific, clearly stated item on the agenda for the meeting. Such item, for the convenience of the public attending such meeting, shall be the first item on the agenda.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2155.pdf
Title: S.B. 2155
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Tennessee Higher Education Commission - Requires THEC to address any deficiencies in the articulation of major preparation courses between the community college system and the universities within the board of regents system and the University of Tennessee system by facilitating the universal articulation of lower division courses required for baccalaureate majors; revises other provisions regarding articulation. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 7.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB4096.pdf
Title: H.B. 4096
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Gives Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) investigators the authority, at the request of local law enforcement, to conduct surveillance operations to detect criminal activity on the ground of a public K-12 school or within five miles of the school and then turn the results of the investigation over to the local law enforcement agency.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3408.pdf
Title: S.B. 3408
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Urges all public schools to provide instruction on nonviolence as means to conflict resolution as part of character education curriculum. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 10.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2790.pdf
Title: H.B. 2790
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Expands the requirement that parents notify schools when a student is found delinquent involving certain crimes and details the procedure school officials must follow in response. - Amends TCA Section 49-6-3051.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2720.pdf
Title: H.B. 2720
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Adds aggravated sexual battery and aggravated sexual battery of a child to the crimes of which a child's school must be notified when the child has been adjudicated delinquent involving such offenses. - Amends TCA Section 37-1-131.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2719.pdf
Title: H.B. 2719
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Specifies that each local school board's plan for compliance with nutritional breakfast and lunch programs include specific provisions to encourage purchasing local agriculture.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3341.pdf
Title: S.B. 3341
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires districts upon request of a parent to survey area within one and one-half miles of school to determine if any special hazards for students walking to such school exist; The district is required to send positive findings to the commissioner of transportation; commissioner must reject such findings within 60 days or state will pay for transportation to school for such students. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 21.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3080.pdf
Title: S.B. 3080
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Student Supports--Remediation |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to provide remediation services to any student who fails a portion of any Tennessee comprehensive assessment program test and annually report the number and type of all such interventions to the commissioner of education. - Amends TCA Title 49.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB0081.pdf
Title: H.B. 81
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
Postsec. |
Adds a new section of law that restricts credit card and other credit solicitations to college students while on campus.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3393.pdf
Title: H.B. 3393
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Prohibits teacher from teaching in grades K-3 unless the teacher is licensed with an endorsement to teach in such grades. - Amends TCA Title 49.
(Present law authorizes the commissioner of education to grant a permit to teach to a person who is recommended by the director of the local school district and the chair of the respective board of education, when the director and chair certify to the commissioner that the school system is unable to secure a qualified teacher with a valid license for a vacant position.)
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2755.pdf
Title: H.B. 2755
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
This bill prohibits the taking of adverse employment action against any teacher employed by an LEA solely for refusing to participate in, or refusing to remain silent about, illegal activities. Any teacher who suffers adverse employment action in violation of this bill's prohibition would have a cause of action against the employer. A teacher who prevails in a lawsuit filed pursuant to this bill would be entitled to an award of attorney fees. Any teacher who files a frivolous lawsuit based on the cause of action that this bill creates would be subject to sanction by the court, including an order to pay the defendant's attorney fees.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2610.pdf
Title: H.B. 2610
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Technology |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires the development of acceptable Internet use policies for public and private schools to protect children from certain online material.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3702.pdf
Title: S.B. 3702
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Technology--Funding Issues |
Signed into law 05/2008 |
P-12 |
Any K-12 education funding appropriated outside the basic education program (BEP) for technology, internet, internet connectivity, or elearning is to be distributed according to a formula adopted by the state board of education. At least half of the funds so appropriated are to be distributed for internet connectivity purposes.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3286.pdf
Title: S.B. 3286
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
P-12 |
Encourages LEAs to place automatic external defibrillators in schools; placement of such devices shall be within LEA's existing fiscal resources; classifies misuse or abuse of AED on school property by a student as misconduct that will subject student to disciplinary action. - Amends TCA Title 49.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2775.pdf
Title: H.B. 2775
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
Postsec. |
Requires each institution of higher education that receives funding from the state of Tennessee to do the following on an annual basis:
(1) Develop and enforce a computer use and ethics policy covering students, staff, and faculty, which prohibits the infringement of copyrighted works; and
(2) Reasonably attempt to prevent copyright infringement over network resources, if the institution receives 50 or more legally valid notices of infringement as prescribed by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 within the preceding year.
Requires the Tennessee board of regents, the board of trustees for the University of Tennessee, and the Tennessee independent colleges and universities association to report to THEC on any reasonable efforts taken to deter copyright infringement over a school's computer and network resources.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3974.pdf
Title: S.B. 3974
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
Postsec. |
Concerns Public Funds and Financing; specifies that the present law requirement for each agency of state government to establish and maintain internal accounting and administrative controls applies to institutions of higher education; establishes guidelines for the assessment, by management of state agencies and higher education institutions, of the risks and systems of internal control.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB4118.pdf
Title: H.B. 4118
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
Postsec. |
Present law authorizes the University of Tennessee and all its several branches, and all colleges and universities of the state college and university system and technical institutes, to issue diplomas, certificates of credit or grade reports only after the student involved has satisfied all debts or obligations owed to the university, college or technical institute or to any related institution of state government. Creates an exception for debts that are less than $25.00 and that are more than 10 years in age from the provision whereby to the UT system and board of regents schools will issue diplomas, certificates of credit or grade reports only after the student involved has satisfied all debts or obligations owed to the university, college or technical institute or to any related institution of state government. - Amends TCA Section 49-9-108.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB4046.pdf
Title: S.B. 4046
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 03/2008 |
P-12 |
Directs the State Board of Education to develop guidelines for Develop guidelines for the use of LEAs to foster foreign language fluency as part of holistic education for all students in grades
kindergarten through twelve (K-12). Current law requires two years of instruction in a foreign language.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0628.pdf
Title: S.B. 2980
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Signed into law 03/2008 |
P-12 |
Alters the dates of the 2008 school sales tax holiday for sales tax on certain clothing, school supplies, school art supplies, and computers (between 12:01 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 2008, and 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2008.)
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0617.pdf
Title: S.B. 2730
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
Signed into law 03/2008 |
P-12 |
Present law allows a local education agency (LEA) to use revenues from gifts, grants, and state and local appropriations to provide an eye examinations for any child with a need for such examination but whose parent or guardian is unable to afford it. Under this bill, a LEA may, in addition to eye exams, provide hearing exams for such children. Accordingly, this bill authorizes health care professionals to indicate the need of a hearing exam on any report used to report the immunization status of a child. Clarifies that this bill would encourage LEAs to seek free or reduced-cost eye examinations from optometrists or ophthalmologists and free or reduced-cost hearing examinations from physicians or audiologists.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/asp/WebBillInfo/Summary.aspx?BillNumber=SB2583
Title: S.B. 2583
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Leadership |
Signed into law 03/2008 |
P-12 |
Requires local school boards to give the director of schools 10 days notice prior to a meeting about a director's termination, suspension, or contract extension.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3284.pdf
Title: S.B. 3284
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
P-3 Preschool |
Signed into law 03/2008 |
P-12 |
Directs the Office of Education Research and Accountability (OEA) to survey each LEA that conducts a pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) program to determine if employment rights and benefits available to K- 12 teachers also accrue to Pre-K teachers. The report will be completed prior to January 15, 2009 and submitted to the House and Senate Education Committees.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HJR0811.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 811
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 03/2008 |
P-12 |
Changes the required training regulations for special education mediators and administrative law judges who conduct due process hearings.Training is currently funded through Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) federal funds. Forty hours of training is currently provided. Removal of this provision could result in a reduction in training hours resulting in a shift of IDEA funds to other special education programs and a decrease in state expenditures estimated to be not significant.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3642.pdf
Title: S.B. 3642
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality--Reduction in Force |
Signed into law 02/2008 |
P-12 |
Present law allows a local board of education to dismiss any teacher if it becomes necessary to reduce the number of teaching positions due to a decrease in enrollment or for other good reasons. A tenured teacher who has been dismissed under such circumstances must be placed on a preferred list for reemployment in the first vacancy the teacher is qualified by training and experience to fill. The board has the power to determine the fitness of such teacher for reemployment in such vacancy on the basis of the board's evaluation of such teacher.
This bill transfers the authority for determining the fitness of such a teacher for reemployment from the board to the local director of schools who will make that determination based on the director's evaluation of the teacher. Requires that the director of schools act in accordance with board of education policy and any locally negotiated agreement when determining the fitness of a teacher for reemployment.
Summary - http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/asp/WebBillInfo/Summary.aspx?BillNumber=SB2629
Title: S.B. 2629
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides that the state board shall automatically revoke the license of a licensed teacher or administrator without the right to a hearing upon receiving verification of the identity of the teacher or administrator together with a certified copy of a criminal record showing that the teacher or school administrator has been convicted of certain criminal offenses.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0432.pdf
Title: S.B. 1730
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Curriculum--Arts Education |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Includes school art supplies with a sales price of $100 or less per item as items exempt from sales tax during the annual sales tax holiday. The "sales tax holiday" exempts from tax imposed the following items of tangible personal property, if sold between 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday of August and 11:59 p.m. the following Sunday:
(1) Clothing with a sales price of one hundred dollars ($100) or less per item;
(2) School supplies with a sales price of one hundred dollars ($100) or less per item;
(3) School art supplies with a sales price of one hundred dollars ($100) or less per item; and
(4) Computers with a sales price of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) or less per item.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0534.pdf
Title: S.B. 616
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
If the parent or guardian of a child with a need for an eye examination is unable to afford such an examination, an LEA of a county or municipality may use revenues from gifts, grants and state and local appropriations to provide such eye examinations. Districts are encouraged to seek free or reduced-cost eye examinations from optometrists or ophthalmologists willing to donate their services for children who are unable to afford such eye examinations.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0557.pdf
Title: S.B. 152
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Concerns Sexual Offenders; requires contracts for labor or services on school grounds or child care center grounds to require clause in contract that the contractor will not permit a sex offender to go on premises when children present and violation is breach of contract.
Title: S.B. 2048
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Concerns education; enacts the Schools Against Violence in Education Act, also known as the S.A.V.E Act; provides for emergency response and emergency management.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0548.pdf
Title: S.B. 1910
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education's division of special education to collect data on and report to the Chairs of the House and Senate Education Committees the following information:
(1) The number of special education classes by local education agency;
(2) The number of special education students by local education agency;
(3) The number of special education teachers by local education agency;
(4) The number of special education aides by local education agency;
(5) The number and types of restraints and seclusion utilized over the twelve (12) months following this act's effective date by local education agency;
(6) The number of local education agencies that provide training in positive behavioral supports; and
(7) The number of local education agencies that provide training in the appropriate use of restraints and seclusion.
Establishes a study commission on methods of restraint employed on students who receive special education services to study this data and to make appropriate recommendations.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0575.pdf
Title: S.B. 1662
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ |
Special Education |
Signed into law 07/2007 |
P-12 |
Adds new sections of law that specify the process for and rights of parties involved in special education due process hearings.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0598.pdf
Title: S.B. 907
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Adds making a threat, including a false report, to use a bomb, dynamite, any other deadly explosive or destructive device including chemical weapons on school property or at a school sponsored event as a zero tolerance event. Also adds new language as a new section: § 55-50-515.
(a) The trial judge of the court wherein a juvenile is convicted, or the judge of the juvenile court wherein a juvenile is adjudicated delinquent, for committing an offense requiring a mandatory calendar year suspension from school as mandated by § 49-6-3401(g), or for an offense for suspension or expulsion authorized by § 49-6-3401(a) resulting in a one year expulsion pursuant to § 49-6-3401(c)(4), may order the suspension of such juvenile's drivers license until such person reaches eighteen (18) years of age or up to a period of two (2) years from the date of the commission of the offense, whichever is later.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0457.pdf
Title: H.B. 2260
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Accountability--School Improvement |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
During the first year a system or school is on probation, the commissioner of education shall: (A) Have the authority to approve a school system's allocation of financial resources to a system or school on probation; (B) Have the authority to appoint a local community review committee to approve and monitor the school improvement plan; and (C) Implement at least one (1) or more of the following corrective actions: (i) Replace or reassign staff; (ii) Mandate a new, research based curriculum; (iii) Significantly decrease management authority at the school;
(iv) Appoint instructional consultants; and (v) Reorganize the internal management structure.
Effective with school year 2007-2008, each school and LEA shall include in their annual school improvement plans specific goals for improvement, including, but not limited to, school
performance on value added assessment and other benchmarks for student proficiency, graduation rates and ACT scores where applicable, and student attendance. School improvement plans shall also identify areas of strengths and weakness as well as strategies to improve areas of weakness, how additional funds provided through the BEP as the result of changes made in the BEP formula for school year 2007-2008 will be used to address these areas and how the LEA will measure the improvements supported by these funds. Such strategies may include, but are not limited to: (1) Developing school or content-based professional development; (2) Developing teacher induction programs; (3) Increasing the number of reading and math specialists; (4) Increasing classroom equipment and supplies; (5) Reducing class size; (6) Using targeted tutoring and remediation; (7) Increasing numbers of school counselors and
social workers; (8) Providing principal professional development; (9) Using enhanced technology for remediation and re-testing; (10) Employing school attendance officers; (11) reorganizing the school day instructional time; and (12) Implementing a standards based curriculum and associated instructional strategies.
Requires the office of education accountability to review a sample of system and school improvement plans, determine what actions were taken in response to the annual plans, and report the results of its review to the select oversight committee on education and the house and senate education committees.
(1) Makes it discretionary, rather than mandatory, that principals' performance contracts provide for bonuses beyond base salary if performance standards are exceeded; (2) Removes the requirement that when a principal exercises the authority to make staff decisions regarding administrative personnel for the principal must do so "pursuant to local school board policy"; (3) Removes authorization for a principal's designee to provide assessments to teachers. The principals will be required to provide the written assessments and meet with teachers to discuss the assessments; and (4) Removes the requirement that the contract entered into between a school board and a director of schools specify duties other than those prescribed by statute and that it contain performance standards including, but not limited to, school system performance on value added assessment and other benchmarks for student proficiency, graduation rates and ACT scores where applicable, and student attendance. Also removes the requirement that the contract provide for consequences when such standards are unmet and provide for bonuses if performance standards are exceeded.
Requires the state board to develop the guidelines for differentiated pay plans by December 31, 2007, and requires each LEA to implement a differentiated pay plan before the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year. Requires the report card or assessments of the effectiveness of teacher training programs to be issued by November 1 of each year. Requires the first report cards or assessments to be issued no later than November 1, 2008.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0376.pdf
Title: H.B. 472
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires greater accountability for alternative education; for example, requires academic indicators to include grade point averages or other student academic performance measures, performance on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP), performance on the Gateway tests, attendance, dropout rates, and graduation rates, for students in
alternative schools or who have been in alternative schools. Requires local education agencies to develop and implement formal transition plans for the integration of students from regular schools to alternative schools and from alternative schools to regular schools; provides that each LEA shall track the operation and performance of alternative school programs.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0517.pdf
Title: S.B. 2157
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Adds a new section: A pilot project of mandated attendance in an alternative school for students who have been suspended shall be established by the department for the school year 2007-2008 in any county having a metropolitan form of government and a population in excess of five hundred thousand (500,000) according to the 2000 federal census. Such pilot project shall be subject to alternative school staffing and space availability. The department shall monitor and review the pilot project and shall report the results of the review to the senate and house education committees and the state board of education by February 16, 2009.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0455.pdf
Title: H.B. 2138
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides that all students wishing to enter teacher training programs are required to agree to the release of investigative records to the teacher training program administrator, supply a fingerprint sample and submit to a criminal history records check and sign an authorization and release form, authorizing a qualified state licensed private investigation company by and on behalf of the board to complete a criminal history records check.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0454.pdf
Title: H.B. 2076
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the Tennessee council for career and technical education to conduct a study to determine proper methods for integrating career and technical education courses and to report its findings and recommendations to the chair of the education committees for the senate and the house of representatives and to the general assembly by February 1, 2008.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0354.pdf
Title: H.B. 1225
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Permits children of teachers who live outside of the state to attend a school within the district where the teacher is employed at no tuition charge.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0545.pdf
Title: S.B. 1585
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
States that the general assembly recognizes the importance of school support organizations in providing financial support to help carry out academic, arts, athletic, and social programs to further educational opportunities for the children of Tennessee. The general assembly also recognizes concerns that parents and other persons who support these organizations have in ensuring that money raised by these organizations is safeguarded by them and used to further the activities for which such money is raised. It is, therefore, the intent of the
general assembly to ensure the continued support of academic, arts, athletic and social programs, which help to educate the children of Tennessee, while also ensuring fiscal accountability of school support organizations. Defines terms such as "School support organization" and sets guidelines. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0326.pdf
Title: S.B. 2054
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Increases the states funding level to schools. The state will now provide 75%, instead of 65%, of the cost of instructional positions to schools. This change in the law will produce an increase in state funding to schools of $285 million for the 2007/08 fiscal year. Modifies the formula to provide 100% funding for at-risk students in grades K-12. "At-risk student" means a student who is eligible for free or reduced price lunch pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 1751-1769; modifies the formula to provide funding for English language learner students at a ratio of one to twenty (1:20) and one to two hundred (1:200) for teachers and translators respectively;
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0369.pdf
Title: H.B. 2293
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Directs the Education Oversight Committee to hold hearings on the demands placed upon public schools in providing health care to students.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HJR0200.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 200
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ |
High School--Dropout Rates/Graduation Rates |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Amends Section 49-1-211(a). Provides that the Commissioner of Education shall include in his annual report information pertaining to overall high school graduation rates organized by high schools and local school systems and high school graduation rates also organized by high school and local school system, presented by gender and subgroup, pursuant to applicable federal law. Requires such high school graduation information shall be placed on the annual state, system, and school level report cards posted on the internet.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0358.pdf
Title: H.B. 1531
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
High School--Early Colleges/Middle Colleges |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Authorizes public postsecondary institutions and local education agencies to jointly establish cooperative innovative programs in high schools and public postsecondary institutions, including, but not limited to universities, community colleges and technology centers, that will expand students' opportunities for educational success through high quality instructional programming; provides that these programs shall target at risk students or students who would benefit from accelerated academic instruction.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0459.pdf
Title: H.B. 99
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
High School--Exit Exams |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Present law requires that, before graduation, every high school student have the opportunity to take an exit examination as adopted by the state board of education. The results of these examinations are shared with the legislative oversight committee on education. This bill replaces the optional high school exit exam with three assessment exams, to be administered in grades eight, 10, and 11, to provide educators with diagnostic information to assist in developing interventions to increase graduation rates and improve readiness for post secondary education. These assessments are to be approved by the Commissioner of Education and provide educators with diagnostic information to assist in developing interventions for the purpose of increasing high school graduation rates and improving student preparation for postsecondary achievement. Each year, the results of such examinations shall be analyzed and reported by the Commissioner of Education to the Select Oversight Committee on Education.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0273.pdf
Title: S.B. 2175
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
P-3 Preschool |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides that the Office of Education Accountability coordinate a study of the effectiveness of pre-kindergarten programs and shall specifically assess the effectiveness of such pre-kindergarten programs on student achievement, both short term effects and long term effects.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0357.pdf
Title: H.B. 1530
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Concerns Education, Higher; creates joint study committee for proprietary schools; created a special joint legislative study committee to consider, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding the state's statutory and regulatory oversight of the creation and operation of proprietary and career colleges. Expires January 1, 2008.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0542.pdf
Title: S.B. 1302
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Creates special committee to study traditional school calendar. Expires February 1, 2008.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Fiscal/HJR0147.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 147
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Adds a new section of law that requires school resource officers to be sworn police officers; provides that training courses for school resource officers shall be designed specifically for school policing.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0341.pdf
Title: S.B. 938
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Adds as a good reason for suspension, two or more students initiating a physical attack on an individual student on school property or at a school activity, including travel to and from school.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0402.pdf
Title: S.B. 247
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
P-12 |
Specifies procedures related to teacher dismissal hearings. Specifies that the hearing the teacher may demand will be before an "impartial hearing officer" selected by the school board rather than an "administrative judge." Also gives the teacher the right to be represented by counsel at the hearing, the opportunity to call and subpoena witnesses, the opportunity to examine all witnesses, and the right to require that all testimony be under oath. This amendment requires the hearing officer to provide written factual findings and decisions within 10 days. If the teacher wishes to appeal the decision, he or she must first appeal the decision to the school board within 10 working days. The director of schools must prepare a copy of the proceedings, transcript, and documentary and other evidence and transmit these materials to the board within 20 working days. As in the bill, the board would hear an appeal on the record, with no new evidence introduced. Does not provide for the introduction of evidence that was not available at the time of the original hearing, but the amendment does allow the employee to appear in person or by counsel to argue why the decision should be modified. In addition, this amendment allows the board to send the record back if additional evidence is necessary. Allows any party dissatisfied with the board's decision to appeal to the chancery court in the county where the school system is located, within 20 working days.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0491.pdf
Title: H.B. 1302/S.B. 2342
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 06/2007 |
Postsec. |
Requires University of Tennessee and the Board of Regents to develop policies to minimize the cost of textbooks.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0504.pdf
Title: H.B. 1257
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Eligible for GOVERNOR'S desk. 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the advisory council for alternative education, established by Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-3404, to study issues relating to establishing pilot alternative
school programs. Requires review any prior evaluations of such schools that have been established. The council is to make recommendations concerning programs, policies and
curricula of any new pilot programs that may be established. The recommendations shall include a rigorous evaluation component. Findings must be submitted in writing to the
governor, the state board of education and the house and senate education committees by January 1, 2008.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB1545.pdf
Title: H.B. 1545, S.B. 1427
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the advisory council for alternative education to study alternative school pilot sites and report to the governor, the state board of education, and the house and senate education committees.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0320.pdf
Title: H.B. 1545
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Curriculum |
Eligible for GOVERNOR'S desk. 05/2007 |
P-12 |
This bill requires that the course of instruction in all public schools in grades 9 through 12 include instruction regarding the procedure for voluntarily surrendering an infant in Tennessee. This bill requires the state board of education to develop guidelines for the materials and method of instruction used to teach the procedure for voluntarily surrendering an infant in Tennessee.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB0293.pdf
Title: S.B. 293, H.B. 0234
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Removes the provision in the junior and senior high school curriculum that permits a course on personal finance to satisfy the instruction requirement on the free enterprise system. Present law requires the state board of education to establish a program of instruction for the public high schools on the essentials of the free enterprise system. Instruction must be given in Accordance with the course of study prescribed by the state board for at least one semester, equal to one half unit of credit. Present law provides that successful student participation in a one-half unit course on personal finance will render the student eligible for the one-half unit of credit. This bill deletes this provision.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB1944.pdf
Title: H.B. 1944
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Alters the terms of state board members from nine years to five years.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0316.pdf
Title: H.B. 951
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of education to consider, in reviewing the lifetime wellness curriculum, instruction in school safety issues. Encourages the department to collaborate with the University of Tennessee in developing school safety instructional materials and requires the department to review the department of homeland security guidelines for inclusion in school safety programs. Encourages the LEAs to post signs on school grounds and school parking lots prohibiting persons from driving a motor vehicle in excess of 10 mph.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0238.pdf
Title: H.B. 337
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health--Child Abuse |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Clarifies that nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any hospital, clinic, school, or other organization responsible for the care of children from developing a specific procedure for internally tracking, reporting, or otherwise monitoring a report made by a member of its staff pursuant to this section, including requiring a member of the organization's staff who makes such a report to provide a copy of or notice concerning the report to the organization, so long as the procedure does not inhibit, interfere with, or otherwise affect the duty of a person to make a report as required.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0305.pdf
Title: H.B. 2230
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health--Mental Health |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Encourages the use of a certain number of in-service training days. Such training shall place an emphasis on understanding the warning signs of early on-set mental illness in children and adolescents and may be conducted by school counseling personnel (psychologists, social workers, guidance counselors, health faculty), by mental health clinicians or by approved personnel from mental health advocacy organizations using curricula approved by the department of education and the department of mental health and developmental disabilities.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0247.pdf
Title: H.B. 933
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
High School |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires state department to develop alternate methods whereby adult students at adult high schools may satisfy any requirement that such students have a minimum number of contact hours to earn credit for a course. Such alternative methods may include learning programs such as independent study under the guidance of a teacher at the adult high school, computer-assisted learning programs, on-line or distance learning programs, and work experience, if appropriate, for a particular course. Any student pursuing an alternate method of satisfying a contact hours requirement shall demonstrate mastery of the course content prior to receiving credit for the course.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB0118.pdf
Title: S.B. 118
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board of education to study alternative paths to high school diplomas for students who do not pass Gateway exams and to report to the house and senate education committees by January 1, 2008.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB1546.pdf
Title: H.B. 1546
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Concerns students; exempts from Open Meetings Act student disciplinary hearings conducted by school board after appeal by student, principal, principal teacher, or assistant principal of decision of disciplinary hearing authority unless student, parent or guardian requests in writing an open hearing.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB0026.pdf
Title: S.B. 26
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of education to study allowing districts to create school district police departments.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB1765.pdf
Title: H.B. 1765, S.B. 1451
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
Postsec. |
Adds campus police officers to present law enforcement officers authorized to conduct certain seizures of property and related forfeiture sales of such property.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB0276.pdf
Title: S.B. 276, H.B. 309
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Expands the requirements for notification of school officials of the attendance of certain delinquent juveniles by expanding the offenses for which notice must be provided, adding additional persons to be provided notice, making failure to provide the notice punishable as contempt of court, and removing certain confidentiality constraints on the school personnel receiving the notice. Amends TCA Section 37-1-131.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB0594.pdf
Title: H.B. 594, S.B. 579
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Revises the offenses for which notice is required to be those described under present law and voluntary manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, sexual battery by an authority figure, statutory rape by an authority figure, a prohibited weapon offense, unlawful carrying or possession of a firearm, carrying a weapon on school property, carrying a weapon in a public park, playground, civil center or other public recreational building or grounds, handgun possession, providing handguns to juvenile, or a Class A or Class B felony drug offense.
clarifies that when applicable, the court will make a finding that the school be notified and will order the youth service officer, probation officer, or the state agency if the child has been committed to the custody of an agency to notify the school principal of the nature of the offense and probation requirements, if any, related to school attendance. the court will order that the county and municipal law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction over the school be notified if the court deems it appropriate, as determined on a case-by-case basis.
requires the principal to convene a meeting to develop a plan after receiving the notification. The child, child's parent or guardian or other relevant service providers, and other appropriate parties identified by the child and the parent or guardian will be invited to the meeting. The plan will set out a list of goals to provide the child an opportunity to succeed in school and provide for school safety. retains the present law provision whereby a violation of the prohibition on including the notification in the child's student record is a Class C misdemeanor. Retains the present law prohibition on information being shared with persons other than employees of the school having responsibility for classroom instruction of the child, but allows disclosure to school counselors, social workers, and psychologists involved in developing a plan for the child.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB0594.pdf
Title: H.B. 594
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-2-203(a)(7) by deleting the subdivision in its entirety and by substituting instead the following:
(7) Suspend, dismiss or alternatively place pupils when the progress, safety, or efficiency of the school makes it necessary or when disruptive, threatening or violent students endanger the safety of other students or school system employees.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0315.pdf
Title: H.B. 928
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides that if a child convicted of a felony or undergoing inpatient mental health treatment must attend school pursuant to a court order, the principal is to be notified; provides that the principal of the school must develop a plan to allow the student to succeed and provide for school safety and notify certain personnel of the plan; provides that if a hospital or treatment resource believes that the child poses a threat, it is their duty to warn the principal of their belief. - Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 1 and Title 49, Chapter 6.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0314.pdf
Title: H.B. 665
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires school bus drivers to deposit student at student's destination and makes failure to do so Class C misdemeanor punishable by fine only of up to $ 100; requires Local Education Agencies to assure school bus drivers understand their duties and responsibilities with respect to management of unruly student bus riders.
Title: S.B. 51
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Present law requires that all students be assigned a personal identification number upon entry into a Tennessee public school. The number is the same as the student's social security number, which is required to be provided at the time of admission of a student into a district. Each class roll or other documents containing the composition of the student body at a particular school or class must contain the identification numbers of the students. This bill removes the requirements that districts be provided with social security numbers, that the identification number match the student's social security number, and that the identification numbers be included in class rolls or other documents. Each student would be assigned a personal identification number upon entry into a Tennessee public school.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2237.pdf
Title: H.B. 2237
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Allows two or more member employers of the same trade or professional organization with at least five hundred (500) covered lives may enter into an agreement to pool their liabilities under this chapter for the purpose of qualifying as self-insurers.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB0343.pdf
Title: S.B. 343
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware |
Signed into law 05/2007 |
P-12 |
Expands the membership of the Tennessee Broadband Task Force to include a representative of the department of education and requires the task force to submit an assessment of the state of broadband deployment on an annual basis.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1580.pdf
Title: S.B. 1580
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Accountability |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Adds a new section. Directs the office of education accountability to periodically study the overall school accountability system and report to the General Assembly as to its operations and effectiveness, including any suggestions for improvement. Such report may include a review of applicable standards, technical assistance, actions taken by LEAs, and relevant outcomes.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB0457.pdf
Title: S.B. 457
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires school personnel to report reasonable suspicion of drug offenses committed by students to principal; permits school personnel to report drug offenses committed on school property to appropriate authorities, if the principal is unavailable.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1529.pdf
Title: H.B. 1271, S.B. 1529
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--Private Giving |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
Postsec. |
Makes confidential certain information relating to donors of gifts to public institutions of higher education or to certain related foundations.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB1961.pdf
Title: S.B. 2080
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the Commissioner of Education to report annually to the House and Senate Education Committees the number of homeless children who enrolled in public school without immunization or proof of immunization and the average length of time required for these children to be immunized or to obtain their immunization records.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1965.pdf
Title: S.B. 1965
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health--Suicide Prevention |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Creates the Jason Flatt Act of 2007 to require that in-service training for teachers and principals include at least two hours of instruction in suicide prevention each school year.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB0057.pdf
Title: S.B. 57, H.B. 101
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes state colleges and universities to provide free Internet access campus wide.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1064.pdf
Title: H.B. 2066
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Concerns higher education; adds new combat activity under which dependent children or spouses of POWs or deceased veterans may qualify for higher education tuition and fee waiver; revises the maximum number of hours for which a waiver may be granted; requires notice of the waiver program to be published in institutional catalogs and class schedules.
Title: H.B. 15
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Baccalaureate Education System Trust (BEST) program to contract with other federal college savings programs established pursuant to Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. Creates the option of rolling BEST tuition account funds into another qualified tuition program established pursuant to Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, whenever a request is made in writing, and the request is due to a contract either terminating or the BEST plan being terminated.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1387.pdf
Title: S.B. 1387
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires each local education agency (LEA) to annually report to the Commissioner of Education within 30 days of the beginning of the school term, the employment standards the LEA has adopted for school resource officers and the methods of enforcing such standards.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB1942.pdf
Title: H.B. 1942
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 06/2006 |
P-12 |
Requires state board of education curriculum for alternative schools to stress student success and removes language concerning alternative schools that is penal in nature; establishes an advisory council on alternative education.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2723.pdf
Title: S.B. 2723
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Health--Nutrition |
Signed into law 06/2006 |
P-12 |
Enacts the Child Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2005 to educate public about child nutrition and wellness to advocate the improvement of child nutrition and wellness; develop a comprehensive long-term strategy, funding and evaluation mechanisms, to promote child nutrition and wellness in various settings, including but not limited to schools, child care centers, health care facilities, and community facilities such as churches, shopping centers, health clubs, and other areas frequented by children.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2083.pdf
Title: S.B. 2038
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2006 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Relates to lottery scholarships and grants; provides that a student that is eligible for a HOPE scholarship upon graduation from high school, completion of high school in a home school or obtaining a GED but instead enrolls in a technology center and receives a Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant shall continue to be eligible for a HOPE scholarship under specified circumstances. Public Chaptered. Chapter No. 980
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2981.pdf
Title: S.B. 2981
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Technology--Internet Safety |
Signed into law 06/2006 |
Postsec. |
Requests administrators of state-sponsored or state- owned networks, including administrators of public colleges and universities, to explore the availability of network technology, legitimate online services, and other solutions to address the risks and detrimental effects of certain online peer-to-peer file-sharing services.
Title: S.J.R. 1020
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Concerns Education; specifies that when the education of a child becomes the state's direct responsibility for any reason, the commissioner of education must pay to the state agency responsible for the child an amount equal to the state funds, plus the local funds, which would otherwise be expended on the child if the child had not been placed in state care.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3922.pdf
Title: S.B. 3922
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Encourages every school participating in interscholastic sports to request their students to sign a pledge not to unlawfully use anabolic steroids.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SJR0746.pdf
Title: S.J.R. 746
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Attendance |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Concerns Education; revises the age of children to whom the compulsory school attendance requirements for blind children apply from between seven and 16 years of age to between six and 17 years of age.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3917.pdf
Title: S.B. 3917
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Concerns Education; renames the division of vocational-technical education within the department of education as the division of career and technical education; revises membership of the Tennessee council for vocational-technical education.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB4040.pdf
Title: H.B. 4040; S.B. 3919
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Establishes a commission on civic education. The commission is will: (1) Research the current policies and practices in civic education at the state and local level; and (2) Recommend to the governor, the education committee of the senate and the education committee of the house of representatives any policies and programs it deems necessary and able to correct deficiencies in and improve the practice of civic education by Tennessee schools.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2586.pdf
Title: S.B. 2586
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Concerns Education Curriculum; directs the comptroller's office of education accountability to evaluate the effectiveness of family life curricula in helping youth to abstain from sexual activities, prevent unwanted pregnancies and prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3819.pdf
Title: H.B. 3819
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Concerns education and curriculum; requires department of education to create a state board to approve a high school financial literacy curriculum; creates in the state treasury a fund to be known as the "financial literacy fund ". State funds and private contributions for the promotion of financial literacy shall be deposited into the financial literacy fund.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3741.pdf
Title: S.B. 3741; H.B. 3753
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Finance--Lotteries |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Concerns Lottery, Scholarships and Programs; establishes lottery scholarship program to enable tenured public school teachers to obtain advanced degrees.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2724.pdf
Title: S.B. 2724; H.B. 3720
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Finance--Lotteries |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Concerns Lottery, Scholarships and Programs; redistributes unclaimed lottery prize money from 50 percent future prize pool and 50 percent after school programs special account to 100 percent after school programs special account.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2812.pdf
Title: H.B. 2812; S.B.2682
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Governance--Deregulation/Waivers/Home Rule |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Permits local education agencies to seek waivers from department of education of any rule or statute that inhibits the LEA's ability to achieve its mission; the commissioner may not waive requirements related to:civil rights, health and safety, public records, Immunizations, possession of weapons on school grounds, background checks and fingerprinting of personnel, special education services, student due process, parental rights, student assessment and accountability, and open meetings. Public Chaptered. Chapter No. 727
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3172.pdf
Title: H.B. 3172; S.B. 3125
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Prohibits school districts from denying admission to homeless children for lack of proof of immunization.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3918.pdf
Title: S.B. 3918
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of education in conjunction with the department of health to develop and make available to each LEA guidelines for the management of students with life-threatening allergies; requires the LEAs to implement plans based on the guidelines by July 1, 2007.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2442.pdf
Title: H.B. 2442; SB 2883
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Requires LEAs to incorporate at least 30 minutes of physical activity three times a week into the instructional school day for elementary and secondary school students.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3750.pdf
Title: H.B. 3750
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Concerns Education; permits state employees with children enrolled in schools to take off up to one day a month from work to voluntarily participate at their children's schools.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3246.pdf
Title: S.B. 3246; H.B. 3123
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
Postsec. |
Concerns Lottery, Scholarships and Programs; permits students receiving Tennessee HOPE foster child tuition grants to attend eligible private, as well as public, postsecondary institutions.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2809.pdf
Title: H.B. 2809; S.B. 2587
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Concerns lottery, scholarships and programs; increases HOPE scholarship awards from $ 3,300 to $ 4,000 for full-time students at four-year institutions and $ 1,650 to $ 2,000 for full-time students at two-year institutions.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2683.pdf
Title: S.B. 2683
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
Postsec. |
Concerns Education, Higher; requires public higher education institutions to place warnings concerning misrepresentation of academic credentials in catalogs, on Web sites, and in employment contracts for positions requiring academic credentials, constitutes a
Class A misdemeanor. The warning shall define the offense of misrepresentation of academic credentials.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3526.pdf
Title: H.B. 3526
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Concerns Lottery, Scholarships and Programs; creates pilot after school program for at-risk students to prepare for ACT and SAT examinations funded by net state lottery proceeds. Public Chaptered. Chapter No. 685
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3113.pdf
Title: S.B. 3113; H.B. 3249
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
Postsec. |
Requires state institutions of higher education to give preference in admissions to Tennessee residents over equally qualified out-of-state applicants.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3262.pdf
Title: H.B. 3262; S.B. 3383
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
Postsec. |
Requires students attending state-supported postsecondary institutions to take a course on hate crimes, sexual harassment, sexual battery, and date rape; requires state- supported postsecondary institutions to renew financial aid for an additional year to athletic scholarship recipients who become academically ineligible to participate in a particular sport.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3112.pdf
Title: S.B. 3112; H.B. 3250
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Concerns Education, Curriculum; requires local education agencies to implement sexual violence awareness and prevention education for high school students.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB0595.pdf
Title: S.B. 595; H.B. 0374
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Educational assistants must have, at a minimum, a high school diploma or a GED equivalent, and show demonstrable proficiency in
reading and writing skills. If a licensed teacher to whom an educational assistant has been assigned is required to be absent from the classroom, the educational assistant may assume responsibility for the classroom in lieu of a substitute teacher. However, no educational assistant shall assume responsibility of the classroom for more than three (3) consecutive school days. Public Chaptered. Chapter No. 680
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3025.pdf
Title: H.B. 3025; S.B. 2996
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 05/2006 |
P-12 |
Allows proceeds from disposal of surplus textbooks to supplement textbook purchasing funds or school literacy programs. Public Chaptered. Chapter No. 797
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2935.pdf
Title: H.B. 2935; S.B. 3085
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Attendance |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Excuses children from school on days of deployment and return from deployment for military service of a parent or guardian. Provides that if a student's parent, custodian, or other person with legal custody or control of a student is a member of the United State Armed Forces, including a member of a state national guard or a reserve component called to federal active duty, a public school principal shall give the student and excused absence for one day and an additional day when the member returns from deployment.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB3379.pdf
Title: S.B. 3379
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Class Size |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Relates to maximum classroom sizes; In the event of a natural disaster which results in the enrollment of displaced students, the commissioner of education may grant a waiver from the maximum class sizes established in this section.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2898.pdf
Title: S.B. 2898
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Reading/Literacy |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires reading instruction as a mandatory element of teacher education curriculum and requires certification of teacher competence in reading instruction.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2973.pdf
Title: H.B. 2973
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Requires tenured teacher who resigns and subsequently returns to the school system to serve one-year probationary period before tenure can be regained unless such probationary period is waived by the local board of education upon request of the director of schools.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2781.pdf
Title: S.B. 2781
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Concerns education; prohibits discrimination based on age against teachers in employment decisions. Removes provision for teacher's tenure to end following teacher's 65th birthday. - Amends TCA Section 49-5-507.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2863.pdf
Title: H.B. 2863
Source: Tennessee Legislature |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Adopted 03/2006 |
P-12 |
Outlines reasons for suspension, denial and revocation of license.Provides process for restoration a of license. TENNESSEE 9886
http://www.state.tn.us/sos/rules/0520/0520-02/0520-02-04.pdf
Title: TAC 0520-2-4-.01
Source: Tennessee Board of Education |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Adopted 03/2006 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends examinations and required scores for licensure as a beginning teacher. TENNESSEE 9885
http://www.state.tn.us/sos/rules/0520/0520-02/0520-02-04.pdf
Title: TAC 0520-2-4-.05
Source: Tennessee Board of Eduation |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends charter school governing board membership to include a parent of a student attending the charter school. States that public charter schools may be formed to provide quality educational options for students and describes prospective student population:
(1) Students who were previously enrolled in a charter school; or
(2) Students who are assigned to, or were previously enrolled in a school failing to make adequate yearly progress, as defined by the state's accountability system, giving priority to at-risk students; or
(3) Students who, in the previous school year, failed to test proficient in the subjects of language arts/reading or mathematics in grades three through eight on the Tennessee comprehensive assessment program examinations; or
(4) Students who, in the previous school year, failed to test proficient on the gateway examinations in language arts/reading or mathematics.
Prior to 2008, at which time the general assembly is scheduled to evaluate the effectiveness of charter schools for the purpose of re-enactment or extension of the charter school statute, charter schools are limited to 50 in number (statewide), 20 of which are to be located within a home rule municipality of a county with a population greater than 897,400, and four of which shall be located within a county with a population greater than 897,400.
States that an LEA's decision whether to convert an eligible public school may not be appealed to the state board of education.
Requires the office of education accountability to review relevant state and national charter school research related to school and student achievement, with particular emphasis on curriculum design and teaching methods. Requires the office of education accountability in the office of the comptroller to conduct a comprehensive study of the charter schools across Tennessee. (Public Chapter 414) http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0414.pdf
Title: S.B. 2167
Source: http://tennessee.gov |
Governance |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Postsec. |
Requires the establish a review committee to aid in development or revision of the higher education master plan and funding formulae. The committee is to include the executive director of the higher education commission, the chancellor of the board of regents, the president of
the University of Tennessee, the commissioner of finance and administration, the comptroller of the treasury, the chairs of the standing committees on education and finance, ways and means of the senate and house of representatives, and the director of the office of legislative budget analysis, or their designees. The review committee is to meet at least annually to review the funding formula components, as well as identify needed revisions, additions, or deletions to the formula. The committee shall also ensure that the funding formula is linked to the goals and objectives of the master plan. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0419.pdf
Title: H.B. 372
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. 06/2005 |
P-12 |
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49 and Title 68, relative to indoor air quality and mold in schools Encourages each district to conduct an inspection and evaluation program, such as the Environmental Protection Agency's Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program, for its facilities. Such program may include, but need not be limited to, the following measures: (1) Ensuring that an adequate amount of outdoor air is being supplied; (2) Testing for radon; (3) Separating students and staff from construction and renovation areas; (4) Reducing use of products, such as adhesives, floor-care products, and pesticides, that require ventilation during use; and (5) Maintaining relative humidity to an appropriate level during hot and humid summers. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0291.pdf
Title: S.B. 641
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. 06/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Establishes dual enrollment grants to pay costs of postsecondary attendance from net lottery proceeds for certain students who are receiving college credit in courses at eligible postsecondary institutions while completing high school. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 9.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0481.pdf
Title: S.B. 1315
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ |
High School--Exit Exams |
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the state board of education to promulgate regulations whereby a student, who narrowly misses passage of one or more of the Tennessee comprehensive assessment program tests, including one or more parts of the Gateway examination, may petition for and may be awarded bonus test points based upon clear indicia of student classroom performance and achievement meritorious of a full
diploma upon graduation from high school. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0446.pdf
Title: S.B. 1015/Act 446
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Sets the purpose of each family resource center: to maximize the potential learning capacity of the child by ensuring that school environments and neighborhoods are safe and socially enriching, that families are strong and able to protect children and meet their basic needs, and that children are physically healthy, emotionally stable, socially well-adjusted, and able to connect with enriching opportunities and experiences in their schools and communities. Requires the family resource centers to focus on providing information to families about resources, support, and benefits available in the community and on developing a coordinated system of care for children in the community. Requires the Department of Education and the Department of Children's Services to jointly develop guidelines for the operation of family resource centers. Guidelines are to be reviewed every three years. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0192.pdf
Title: S.B. 2115
Source: http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Every child in Tennessee under twenty-four (24) years of age whose parent is employed as a full-time certified teacher in any public school in Tennessee or as a fulltime technology coordinator in any LEA in Tennessee, is to receive a 25% discount on tuition to any state operated institution of higher learning (Section 49-7-119). http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0447.pdf
Title: S.B. 1629
Source: http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Postsec. |
Adds a non-voting faculty trustee and a non-voting student trustee to the University of Tennessee board of trustees. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 8 and Title 49, Chapter 9. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0466.pdf
Title: S.B. 1652
Source: http://tennessee.gov |
Reading/Literacy |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Governor's Books from Birth Fund and authorizes a partnership arrangement between the Fund and a nonprofit public benefit corporationan act to amend tennessee code annotated, title 4, relative to the establishment of the governor's books from birth fund and the authorization of a partnership arrangement between the fund and a nonprofit public benefit corporation. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0416.pdf
Title: S.B. 2275/Act 416
Source: http://tennessee.gov |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires the select oversight committee on education to examine and study the dates for starting and ending the school year in public schools in Tennessee. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0454.pdf
Title: S.B. 516
Source: http://tennessee.gov |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Reduces number of hours of operations from 20 hours per week to 15 hours per week for after school programs to be eligible for technical assistance and grants. Deletes requirement that eligible programs offer computer literacy and skills development. Reduces requirement that programs serve 80% at risk students (with specific criteria) to serving 50% meeting designated "at risk" requirements. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0425.pdf
Title: H.B. 838
Source: http://tennessee.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends Tennessee code annotated, section 49-2-118. Present law requires the commissioner of education to randomly select five LEAs from each grand division and the LEAs must submit a report to the commissioner on or before November 1 of each year on the conflict resolution intervention programs implemented during the previous school year. This amendment requires the commissioner to require all LEAs to file a report with the commissioner each year regarding any conflict resolution intervention programs implemented during the previous school year. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/104/Chapter/PC0335.pdf
Title: S.B. 1090
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. 06/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 7. Requires any official of a public or private institution of higher education receiving a report from a victim of rape occurring on the property or in the vicinity of such institution to report to law enforcement and to refer the victim of the availability of a sexual assault program or other service on campus or in the community. Requires sexual assault programs to report annually the number of requests for assistance received from victims. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0305.pdf
Title: H.B. 1542
Source: |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows use of construction management services which are provided for a fee and which involve preconstruction and construction administration and management services; deems these services to be professional services and may be performed by a
qualified licensed person. Allows a school systems, at its own discretion, to perform work on the project with its own employees and include the coordination and oversight of this work as part of the services of the construction manager. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0462.pdf
Title: S.B. 1343
Source: http://tennessee.gov |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
Postsec. |
Requires institutions of higher education to inform parents and students of students' option to execute consent forms authorizing the institution of higher education to release certain otherwise confidential education records, as defined by federal law, to a designated parent, upon request.Limited to pilot program at Middle Tennessee State University for one year, and then will be evaluated and a decision made about whether to expand to all higher education institutions. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/104/Chapter/PC0313.pdf
Title: S.B. 98
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 06/2005 |
P-12 |
Any principalteacher, teacher, director of schools or other school personnel employed on a systemwide basis who completes additional academic training after the beginning of a school year, but prior to January 1 of that school year, that would qualify such employee for a higher salary rating shall be eligible to have such employee's salary rating redetermined as of January 1 of the school year. Requires written notice. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/104/Chapter/PC0338.pdf
Title: S.B. 1284
Source: http://tennessee.gov |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
to governor 05/2005 |
P-12 |
A resolution to urge increased funding for the development and expansion of dropout prevention programs in Tennessee.
Title: H.J.R. 117
Source: Westlaw/StateNet |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
From the fiscal note: A resolution to urge the Governor to include an earmarked appropriation within the administration's general appropriations act for fiscal year 2005-06 for an increase in funding for LEAs to be utilized for the development and expansion of dropout prevention programs. Current law provides that to the extent funding is available, on each occasion that an initiative is selected as a model dropout prevention program, the model program is to receive from the state department a grant in the amount of $6,000. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HJR0117.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 117
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Urges the Governor to include increased funding for alternative education programs in the 2005-06 General Appropriations Act. Currently, LEAs are required to have at least one alternative school in grades 7-12. Link to fiscal note summary: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Fiscal/HJR0116.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 116
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows local boards of education to establish evening alternative schools for students in grades six (age 11) through twelve (6-12). Previous provision allowed alternative schools only for students over 16. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0200.pdf
Title: H.B. 1938
Source: http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Adds new subsection 49-7-202. Requires the commission, with the assistance of the University of Tennessee system and the state university and community college system, to develop information concerning the potential career opportunities in each curriculum or major field of study leading to a baccalaureate degree that is offered at a state institution of higher education. Such information shall include, but not be limited to, the potential job market in Tennessee in the major field or curriculum after graduation, the median income or an income range for jobs in the major field or curriculum in Tennessee, and whether an advanced degree in the major field or curriculum is required to obtain employment in such field. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0328.pdf
Title: S.B. 709
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
All high school agricultural education programs that were twelve-month programs for the 1992-1993 fiscal year, or any fiscal year thereafter, are to be maintained as twelve-month programs by the local board of education, so long as a quality agricultural education program as determined by criteria established by the vocationaltechnical education division, agriculture education program, of the department of education is maintained. Public Chapter 143 http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1563.pdf
Title: S.B. 1563/H.B. 2123
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends Section 49-3-352. Allows any fund balance remaining unexpended at the end of a fiscal year in the general fund of the local public education system to be carried forward into the subsequent fiscal year. Such fund balance is to be available to offset shortfalls of budgeted revenues or to be available to meet unforeseen increases in operating expenses. Any accumulated fund balance in excess of three percent (3%) of the budgeted annual operating expenses for the current fiscal year may be budgeted and expended for any education purposes but must be recommended by the board of education prior to appropriation. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0223.pdf
Title: H.B. 1262
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends Title 49, Chapter 6 and Title 68. Authorizes local districts to implement a program that identifies public school children who are at risk for obesity. Such programs would use volunteers to determine students' body mass indexes, provide each student's parents or guardians with a confidential health report card that represents the result of the child's BMI-for-age screening along with basic educational information on what the results mean and what the parents or guardians should do with the information. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0194.pdf
Title: H.B. 445
Source: http://tennessee.gov/ |
Health |
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Resolution urging the state board, in cooperation with all local education agencies, to develop and implement a curriculum of instruction which will enable students to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle habits. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HJR0088.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 88
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Resolution urges the Department of Health and the Department of Education to develop and implement a suitable program, one which
accommodates increased physical activity, reduced vending machine usage, and enhanced dietary lunches, for Tennessee's elementary, secondary, middle, and high schools that will successfully combat the problem of childhood obesity. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HJR0085.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 85
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
With respect to public institutions of higher education, upon the adoption of smoking policies by the administrative head of such institution, the administrative head is not required to provide an indoors smoking area in each student dormitory or other facility. The administrative head of each institution is encouraged to provide for reasonable smoke-free zones at all building entrances and exits. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0329.pdf
Title: S.B. 757
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
High School--Advanced Placement |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Urges adequate funding for high school advanced placement programs; urges the Governor to include an earmarked appropriation within the administration's General Appropriations Act for FY05-06. From fiscal note: Estimate assumes that if each of the 444 high schools in Tennessee offered at least one of the 35 available AP courses (444 classes), state expenditures could increase as follows:
College Board or End-of-course Test (17 students x $82) = $1,394
Equipment/Supplies 5,000
Training 1,900
Total for 1 Class $8,294
Total for 444 Classes $3,682,536
Equipment/supplies include labs for chemistry and biology, books, online courses and calculators. Training is offered through Duke University (Summer Institutes for teachers). http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HJR0132.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 132
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
P-3 Preschool |
to governor 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends title 49, chapter 6, part 1 to establish the "Voluntary Pre-K for Tennessee Act of 2005". Based on the success of Tennessee's existing
pilot pre-kindergarten programs, these programs may be expanded on a voluntary basis by local education agencies and the communities they serve to provide more opportunities for quality early childhood education and pre-kindergarten experiences. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB2333.pdf
Title: H.B. 2333
Source: StateNet |
P-3 Preschool |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
General Assembly expresses its unwavering support for an increase in funding for the expansion of the early childhood education program.
Urges and encourages the Governor to include such an earmarked appropriation within the administration's general appropriations act for fiscal year 2005-2006.From fiscal note: To the extent the FY06 recommended budget is approved, state expenditures would increase by $25.0 million. This would be funded from recurring excess net education lottery proceeds in the Lottery for Education Account after higher education lottery scholarships have been funded. Assumptions: • $10.0 million in state funds were appropriated for early childhood programs for FY05.
• $25.0 million has been included in the recommended FY06 budget.http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HJR0131.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 131
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
Postsec. |
§ 49-7-201 creates the Tennessee higher education commission. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0435.pdf
Title: H.B. 1439
Source: http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires each LEA to adopt a policy that prohibits harassment, intimidation, or bullying and to forward a copy of the policy to
the Commissioner of Education by January 1, 2006. School employees, volunteers, and students are encouraged to report incidents of harassment, intimidation, or bullying to the appropriate school authorities. Any school employee who promptly reports an incident would have immunity against any suit based upon the reporting employee's failure to remedy the reported act. The bill encourages school districts to form harassment, intimidation, or bullying prevention programs and task forces. An amendment limits this bill's application to bullying or harassment that occurs on school grounds, at school-sponsored activities, on school-provided transportation, and at school bus stops by removing the provision that would apply to conduct immediately adjacent to school grounds. Another amendment encourages school districts to include a procedure for discouraging and reporting conduct aimed at defining a student in a sexual manner or conduct that impugns a student's character based on allegations of sexual promiscuity. Link to summary: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=HB2114 and to chaptered bill: http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0202.pdf
Title: S.B. 1621/H.B. 2114
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. 05/2005 |
Postsec. |
Amends Section 49-7-118, relative to university and college police and security departments. Higher education institutions meeting certain size requirements may employ and commission police officers. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0119.pdf
Title: S.B. 47
Source: http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
Postsec. |
Adds a new section to Title 49, Chapter 7, making it the duty of each institution of higher education which has probable cause to believe that any student is committing or has committed any offense, a violation of which is a class A misdemeanor or any of the five (5) categories of felonies as classified under Section 40-35-110, upon the institution's grounds or within any building or structure under its supervision, to report such probable cause to the appropriate law enforcement officer. http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/101/pub/pc542.pdf
Title: H.B. 1811
Source: http://tennessee.gov |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of education, in cooperation and consultation with the state board of education, shall conduct a study of the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy for elementary and secondary public school students with persistent behavioral problems. The department of education is to report the findings and results of such study to the house and senate education committees no later than February 15, 2006. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0346.pdf
Title: S.B. 1972
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 05/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows districts to allocate and expend any state funds received for extended contracts consistent with the needs of the specific programs served through extended contracts. Such allocation and expenditures may include payments to teachers working extended contracts that allow local flexibility regarding the number of hours worked to receive pay supplements.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0218.pdf
Title: H.B. 675
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Accountability--Measures/Indicators |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Deletes several sections of 49-1-601 and and substitutes new language. Relates to educational performance goals and measures;changes from dropout rates to graduation rates; provides for testing; requires all public schools and local education agencies to make adequate yearly progress in achieving proficiency for all student subgroups in core academic subjects; each school and local education agency is expected to make statistically significant progress toward that goal. The rate of progress within each grade and academic course, necessary to maintain compliance with this part, will be established after two (2) years of consecutive testing with tests adopted for each grade and subject; provides that tests must have fresh, nonredundant items that did not appear on that test in previous years. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0928.pdf
Title: H.B. 3511
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Chapter No. 832. Renames low performing schools and school districts as high priority schools and school districts; allows the commissioner to award grants to individual school systems of up to $50,000, to LEAs for planning and implementation purposes. Allows the commissioner to authorize up to 24 school systems to operate as innovative educational programs which emphasize school-based decision making and the creation of small learning communities. Provides that a school operating an innovative education program is not a charter school and cannot convert to a charter school after being authorized to conduct an innovative education program. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0832.pdf
Title: H.B. 1175
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of education to institute a program to recognize those schools that have developed model instructional methods and
administrative policies for the delivery of character education and provide professional development opportunities for the dissemination of these "best practices" to local education agencies statewide. The department must use existing resources in the implementation of this section. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0919.pdf
Title: H.B. 3456
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49. Requires the Tennessee higher education commission to study and report to the general assembly by February 1, 2005, on the appropriateness and the relevance of current training and educational programs offered by institutions authorized for members of the allied health care professions to determine the extent to which training and educational activities are structured to assure the availability of up to date training that reflects current responsibilities of the various allied health fields. The regionally accredited, degree granting institutions are exempted from this provision. Authorizes the commission to require an institution to publish placement rates and other information indicating actual employment and earnings in relevant occupations post successful completion of offered programs. Creates a special committee to study issues related to the cost and adequacy of certain programs. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0831.pdf
Title: H.B. 1093
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--Equity |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Deleted and replaced a previous sub-section of law. Requires development of a master plan for future development of public higher education, including technology centers; requires the master plan to include specific goals, including: (A) Increasing educational attainment levels of
Tennesseans; (B) Improving retention and graduation rates of public universities; (C) Creating improved linkages with regional economic and community development entities; (D) Increasing degree production in areas central to the public agenda; (E) Creating improved regional and statewide linkages with K-12 education to ensure that students are prepared for post-secondary education; (F) Improving teacher education programs to ensure that graduates are prepared for the classroom; (G) Increasing participation in adult literacy programs; and (H) Broadening research and development initiatives in areas central to the public agenda.provides for equitable dispersal of funds. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0882.pdf
Title: H.B. 2865
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--Facilities |
To governor 06/2004 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Present law authorizes the state to issue and sell general obligation bonds for any purpose authorized by the general assembly, including the funding of education. All revenues earmarked and allocated specifically and exclusively for educational purposes and any other law providing for the collection of state taxes allocated for educational purposes are deposited into the education trust fund. All deposits to the education trust fund are credited to the basic education program account. THIS BILL This bill would authorize the state to issue and sell direct general obligation interest-bearing bonds in amounts not exceeding $260,000,000 for postsecondary and higher education institutions. This bill would also permit the allocation of funds to local education agencies (LEAs) for the purpose of land acquisition, acquisition of student transportation, technology, and science laboratory equipment, and the construction and equipment of sites and buildings. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=SB0429
Title: S.B. 429
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--Private Giving |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Requires university foundations to adopt codes of ethics and provides procedure for removal of foundation board members who violate such codes. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0879.pdf
Title: H.B. 2853
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--Private Giving |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Creates tax credit for qualified contributions for qualified public school support organizations; provides that seventy-five percent of the operating and implementation costs shall be satisfied from any increase in local sales tax revenues and twenty-five percent of such costs from increases in state sales tax revenues. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0835.pdf
Title: H.B. 1302
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Until January 2005, allows a demonstration project for teaching of certain courses in public schools by videoconferencing. Courses include (1) Courses in which shortages of highly qualified teachers exist, including high-level courses for exceptional students; (2) Courses that some LEAs are unable to provide due to the potentially small enrollment of interested students; and (3) Courses that are remedial and that are designed to assist students who need additional instruction in core academic subjects. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0887.pdf
Title: H.B. 2978
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Changes Lottery Scholarship eligibility requirements for graduates of home school programs and non- eligible high schools; relates to HOPE scholarships; amends provisions regarding a dependent child whose parent is in active military service to include an adopted child. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0840.pdf
Title: H.B. 2134
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Added the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute to the list of institutions which full-time employees of the state of Tennessee are eligible for enrollment in one course per term. (Others include any state-supported college or university, technology center.) State employees are not required to pay tuition charges, maintenance fees, student activity fees or registration fees. Current members of the general assembly are to be considered as full-time employees of the state of Tennessee. Enrollment privileges may be limited or denied on an individual basis according to space availability. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0883.pdf
Title: H.B. 2867
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0883.pdf |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Adds a new section of law. Requires the board of trustees of the university of Tennessee and the Tennessee board of regents to adopt policies to govern reductions in force that could result in employee layoffs or terminations at their respective institutions of higher education. The policies must provide a consistent and equitable method of reducing the work force when a reorganization or curtailment of operations
becomes necessary. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0867.pdf
Title: H.B. 2644
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Prohibits the use of false credentials in higher education. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0825.pdf
Title: H.B. 433
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
Postsec. |
Amends provisions regarding the state university and community college systems and board of regents. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0804.pdf
Title: S.B. 2479
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Enacts the "Higher Education Accountability Act of 2004"; provides that the hiring of campus internal auditors shall be done on the recommendation of the institutional presidents. provides for annual or periodic audits by an internal auditor that is not an employee of the institution of the chief executive being audited. The internal auditor must establish a process by which students, employees, taxpayers or other citizens may confidentially report suspected illegal, improper, wasteful or fraudulent activity. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0904.pdf
Title: H.B. 3319
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/ |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a system of competitive grants for after school educational programs funded from the lottery for education account and administered through department of education. Grants and technical assistance shall supplement non-lottery educational resources for after school educational programs and purposes. An organization is eligible if such organization operates a program that
is available to students at least 20 hours per week on a year round basis and is designed to address the needs of children five years old or older and enrolled in elementary or secondary grades. Such program shall maintain an enrollment that is at least 80% children who are low income, abused, neglected, members of dysfunctional families, enrolled in failing schools, enrolled in another public school instead of a failing school due to parent choice, or at risk of failing one or more school subjects. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Fiscal/SB3158.pdf
Title: S.B. 3158
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ |
Assessment |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
From the fiscal note: Requires charter schools to administer state value-added testing for their students. Current law, T.C.A. 49-13-111(a)(2), provides that a public charter school shall meet the same performance standards and requirements adopted by the state board for public schools. T.C.A. 49-13-122 provides that a public charter school agreement may be revoked or denied renewal by the final chartering authority if such chartering authority determines that the school failed to meet or make adequate yearly progress toward achievement of the state's accountability system. This bill requires charter schools to participate in the state assessment program. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2416.pdf
Title: S.B. 2416
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Concerns General Assembly, Directed Studies; directs the office of education accountability (with the asasistance of the state board and state department) to study and evaluate the quality of curriculums and policies and procedures relative to punishment utilized by Tennessee alternative schools and present findings and recommendations to the education oversight committee. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=SJR0746
Title: S.J.R. 746
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills |
Attendance |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board to formulate policy for attendance and transfer of students whose custodial parents reside in two local education agencies.
Title: S.B. 3305
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
Postsec. |
Concerns sexual offenses; makes the name and address of any college in this state at which a sexual offender is employed or attends public information and available by October 1, 2004, on the Tennessee Internet home page for convictions occurring on or after July 1, 1997, rather than October 27, 2002. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0624.pdf
Title: S.B. 2097
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Urges state board of education to study the inclusion of alcohol awareness and drug usage awareness in K-12 curriculums, including dangers of driving under the influence. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HJR1006.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 1006
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--Lotteries |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Adds the Select Committee on the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation to education committees as committees reviewing governor's proposed appropriations for educational programs and purposes prior to final action by the finance, ways and means committees.
Title: S.B. 2115
Source: StateNet |
Health |
To governor 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Permits local public and private school boards to train school personnel who volunteer to assist students with diabetes care; requires the departments of health and education, with approval of the board of nursing, to develop guidelines for student diabetes care; limits liability for individuals providing reasonable care within those guidelines. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0734.pdf
Title: S.B. 2122
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ |
Health--Nutrition |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires the Board of Education to promulgate rules to establish minimum nutritional standards for individual food items sold or offered for sale to pupils in grades pre-kindergarten through eight through vending machines or other sources, including school nutrition programs; requires local eduction agencies to submit any proposed contract for vending machines or vending services for competitive bids. Requires the state board to promulgate rules to establish minimum nutritional standards for individual food items sold or offered for sale to pupils in grades pre-kindergarten through eight (pre-K-8) through vending machines or other sources, including school nutrition programs. Such rules must address, but are not limited to, the following: (1) The establishment of minimum nutritional standards and nutritionally sound portion sizes for individual food items sold or offered for sale to pupils in grades pre-kindergarten through eight (pre-K-8) and standards governing the time, place and circumstances of any such sale or offer to sell. Any non-compliant vendor, individual, or entity must reimburse a school nutrition program. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0708.pdf
Title: H.B. 2783
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Povides for notification to parents of student subgroups not making adequate yearly progress of option to transfer their children to another school in that system.
http://www.state.tn.us/sos/acts/103/pub/pc0680.pdf
Title: S.B. 2207
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires local districts to devise policies and procedures to encourage parental involvement in public schools. Plans must include: (1) A plan for parent participation in the schools which is designed to improve parent and teacher cooperation in such areas as homework, attendance and discipline; and (2) Procedures by which parents may learn about the course of study for their children and have access to all learning materials. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0706.pdf
Title: H.B. 2635
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
Postsec. |
Concerns criminal offenses; creates Class A misdemeanor for person who knowingly issues, sells or manufactures false academic degree; creates Class C misdemeanor for individual who knowingly uses or claims to have false academic degree to obtain employment, promotion in employment or admission to institution of higher learning. Specifies that this bill does not prohibit properly accredited institutions from issuing honorary degrees to recognize distinguished individuals for service. Also defines "false academic degree" to mean any degree that was issued: without requiring any student academic work; based solely on the student's life experiences or portfolio without requiring any post secondary work submitted to and evaluated by faculty with appropriate academic degrees from accredited and authorized institutions; or using not more than 25 percent of required credits based on the student's life experience or portfolio. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=SB2305
Title: S.B. 2305
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Directs the state board to establish a task force comprised of superintendents, principals, teachers, and representatives of school
boards and higher education no later than June 30, 2004. The task force is to make recommendations to the board including, but not limited to, the following: consistent numerical breaks for letter grades; consideration of standards to define an honors course; appropriate weighting of courses; and determination of courses and weightings to be used in the calculation of class rank. The task force is required to report its findings to the state board of education no later than December 31, 2004. Authorizes the state board of education is authorized to promulgate
rules and regulations for the administration of this section. The comptroller's office of education accountability is directed to evaluate the uniform grading system four (4) years after its implementation and to report its findings to the education oversight committee of the general assembly. Such evaluation must include an analysis of the relationship of grade point averages to ACT and SAT scores of high school students. Each local education agency must adopt and use the uniform grading system for students enrolled in grades 9-12. Students' grades are to be reported for the purposes of application for postsecondary financial assistance administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation using the uniform grading system. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0679.pdf
Title: S.B. 2205
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
Postsec. |
Concerns taxes, exemption; exempts educational savings plans from state and local taxation; provides that all assets, income and distributions for college education savings plan are exempt from any state, county or municipal tax and shall not be subject to execution, attachment, garnishment or operation of bankruptcy.
Title: H.B. 2953
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
To governor 05/2004 |
Postsec. |
Clarifies the definition of institution for purposes of the Tennessee State School Bond Authority Act, to include the University of
Tennessee and all of its branches and divisions wherever located, and each constituent institution of the state university and community college system. Each constituent institution of the state university and community college system, whether or not it confers degrees, shall be deemed an institution of higher education for purposes of this act. The bill, in effect, adds Technology Centers to institutions eligible to participate in the TSSBA program. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB3263.pdf
Title: H.B. 3263,S.B. 3264
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
To governor 05/2004 |
Postsec. |
No person acting on a presidential search committee for any public higher education system or institution in this state shall be eligible
for initial employment or for promotion by that system or institution of higher education for a period of twelve (12) months after the completion of the committee's business. This section shall not apply to any person who is a fulltime student at the time of service on the committee. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0751.pdf
Title: H.B. 2225
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
To governor 05/2004 |
Postsec. |
Requires the trustees of the University of Tennessee to require annual internal financial audits of the offices of the university president and the chief executive officers of the institutions comprising the system. Also, requires the board of regents of the state university and community college system to require annual internal financial audits of the offices of the chancellor and the chief executive officers of the institutions comprising the system. Such audits must be reviewed by the board of regents and the comptroller of the treasury. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0768.pdf
Title: H.B. 3338
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Creates a special joint committee to study the need to require the use of seatbelts in all vehicles used to transport school children in Tennessee. This special joint committee, consisting of three Representatives and three Senators, shall report its findings and recommendations to the 104th General Assembly no later than February 28, 2005, at which time the committee shall cease to exist. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HJR0953.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 953
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 05/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes a method for equalizing the salaries of public school teachers in the state. Under present law, the state commissioner, with the approval of the state board of education, annually formulates a mandated salary schedule applicable to all public school teachers, taking into account training and experience. Local school systems may supplement teachers' salaries with funds from their own local resources based on the local government's ability to raise funds. Further the state board is required to develop a Basic Education Plan (BEP) to allocate funds to local school systems on a fair and equitable basis by recognizing the differences in the ability of local jurisdictions to raise local revenues. In developing the BEP, costs of certain components, including costs of operation and maintenance, textbooks , school food services, pupil transportation, vocational and technical education and other cost items, are taken into consideration. The cost of teachers' salaries is not a component in the formulation of the BEP. The BEP formula is subject to an annual review by the review committee of the actual cost of each component and adjustments are made to the BEP based on the review.
Under present law, the BEP has two components, the classroom component and the non-classroom component. The state provides 75percent of funding for the classroom component and 50 percent for the non-classroom component. If state funds available for distribution are insufficient to meet the local public school system entitlements, the commissioner may apply a pro rata reduction to the amount for which each system is eligible. Each local education agency (LEA) must establish a local salary schedule for teachers in the LEA and such schedule must include the same minimum salary level established by the state board. Under present law allocations of state and local funds are made to each LEA whose instructional salaries and employer-paid insurance premiums average less than $28,094 per instructional position. The state supreme court, in Tennessee Small School Systems v. McWherter, 91 S.W.3d 232 (Tenn. 2002), declared that the method of funding public teachers' salaries according to the current BEP is unconstitutional because it does not equalize teachers' salaries and contains no mechanism for cost determination or annual cost review by the BEP review committee of teachers' salaries as is performed with all other cost components of the BEP. The court found that teachers are the most important component of an effective educational plan and that their salaries, a major item in every education budget, are a significant factor in determining where teachers choose to work. The court further noted the large disparity in public school teachers salaries across the state and concluded that a constitutional plan must include equalization of teachers' salaries according to the BEP formula. This bill revises present law in response to the supreme court's ruling. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=HB3510
Title: H.B. 3510
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 04/2004 |
P-12 |
Basic Education Program (BEP) - Provides that 40 percent of growth funds under the BEP are to be distributed to eligible LEAs by January 1 with the remainder distributed by the subsequent June 30.
Title: S.B. 3349
Source: StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2004 |
P-12 |
Changes terms of trustees from two years to staggered terms of four years and increases grade level of school authorized for operation by special district from third grade to fifth grade.
Title: H.B. 3572
Source: StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2004 |
P-12 |
Concerns education; requires, under certain circumstances, each LEA to allow certain students to carry and self-administer asthma medications.
Title: S.B. 2286
Source: StateNet |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 04/2004 |
P-12 |
Concerns education; provides for local education agencies to include contact information on child advocacy groups and the state department in student handbooks or other information disseminated to parents.
Title: H.B. 2161
Source: StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2004 |
Postsec. |
Concerns Law Enforcement; enacts the Robert 'Robbie' Nottingham Campus Crime Scene Investigation Act of 2004; provides procedures for the investigation of crimes on campuses of institutions of higher education.
Title: S.B. 2797
Source: StateNet |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Signed into law 04/2004 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Directs the Department of Corrections, in conjunction with Department of Personnel, to study the issue of education and employment for persons convicted of non-violent criminal offenses; Such study must also include measures that need to be taken to increase educational and skills training at youth and adult detention facilities for non-violent criminal offenders. Requires departments to report their findings by March 1, 2005, to House and Senate education committees. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0543.pdf
Title: S.B. 2663
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 03/2004 |
Postsec. |
Concerns public records; requires rather than authorizes institution of higher education to disclose final results of student disciplinary proceeding involving crime of violence, sex offense, alcohol or drug possession unless prohibited by federal law.
Title: S.B. 2098
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Lotteries |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 4, is amended by adding the following as a new part: § 49-4-901. Net proceeds of the state lottery shall be used exclusively for the purposes set out in Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of Tennessee and the provisions of this act. Such net proceeds shall be used to supplement, not supplant, existing resources for educational purposes, projects and programs. It is the intent of the general assembly that if there exist net proceeds of the state lottery in excess of those allocated to provide financial assistance to citizens of this state to enable such citizens to attend postsecondary educational institutions located in Tennessee, then such excess net proceeds shall be allocated first to early learning programs. It is further the intent of the general assembly that the scholarship and grant programs established under this part shall not create an entitlement to financial assistance to enable attendance at a postsecondary institution for any student. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0298.pdf
Title: S.B. 437
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board o study and make recommendations concerning weight of textbooks used by pupils in elementary and secondary schools. The board must submit these recommendations to the general assembly on an annual basis. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1664.pdf
Title: S.B. 1664
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates task force to establish guidelines for mold abatement in public schools.
Title: H.B. 891
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
Postsec. |
Requires that expenditures of higher education foundation benefiting state institution of higher education comply with applicable laws, policies and procedures for expenditures by beneficiary state institution; requires all annual reports and financial records of a foundation created for the benefit of a state college or university to be subject to audit by the Comptroller.
Title: H.B. 1411
Source: StateNet |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Under present law, a public school may be placed on notice or probation for failure to make adequate progress in meeting the rules, regulations, and performance standards of the state board of education. If a system or school on notice does not meet the standards for adequate yearly progress by the end of the first year of notice, the system or school may be placed on probation. This bill would allow the two school systems (whether city or county) with the greatest number of schools on notice or probation to establish an inner city educational enhancement pilot project upon advanced approval of the municipality's legislative body. Such project would provide after school programs at all or a significant portion of schools placed on notice or probation. Such project could also consist of before school, Saturday, and summer programs. The programs and services of such project would include, but not be limited, to: (1) Reading skills development and enhancement; (2) Math and science skills development and enhancement; (3) Computer literacy and skills development; (4) Tutoring and homework supervision and assistance; (5) Individual assessment and remedial instruction; (6) Academic mentoring; and (7) Life experiences and enrichment opportunities. Project programs and services would be primarily offered by qualified volunteers who are retired teachers, professors, law enforcement officers, armed forces veterans, or public employees. The municipality would be authorized to offer limited incentive grants to such volunteers. The receipt of such incentive grants would not affect, reduce, or in any way impair the volunteer's status or benefits under a retirement system of any state or local government. The department of education and the office of education accountability would monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of such project. Such entities would also file a joint report of findings and recommendations by January 15, 2004, with each member of the education oversight committee and the education committees of the senate and house. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HB1665.pdf (H.B. 1665 prior to amendment stipulating two school systems (whether city or county)
Title: H.B. 1665
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to reemployment after retirement by teachers.
Title: S.B. 434
Source: StateNet |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Changes the sunset date for the State Textbook Commission to June 30, 2007 from May 21, 2003. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0325.pdf
Title: S.B. 1647
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Revises the criteria for determining at-risk children for pre-school and early learning programs from those "who live below the poverty line determined pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 9847" to those "who meet eligibility requirements identical to those met by school age children
qualifying for free and reduced lunch pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 1771. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1975.pdf
Title: S.B. 1975
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates a special joint committee to study public school dropout rates in Tennessee. This special joint committee, consisting of 5 Representatives and 5 Senators, shall reports its findings and recommendations no later than February 1, 2004, at which time the
committee shall cease to exist.
Title: H.J.R. 19
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Prohibits out-of-district or out-of-state enrollment within a school system. Restitution for out-of-district or out-of-state enrollment would be based on an amount equal to the local per pupil expenditure for students identified by the Tennessee department of education for the district in which the student is fraudulently enrolled; and the parent, guardian or other legal custodian of a fraudulently enrolled student would be liable for costs and fees, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by the school district. Also, specifies that no action can be brought more than six years after the date on which the fraudulent enrollment occurred. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=SB0396
Title: S.B. 396
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires public charter schools to enter into agreements with the commissioner of social security to ensure that the benefits of the federal old-age and survivors' insurance system are extended to eligible employees of the charter school. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=SB0116
Title: S.B. 116
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
Postsec. |
Amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 7 and Title 49, Chapter 7, relative to enhancing economic and community development in Tennessee through collaboration between the state, historically Black colleges and universities, and private industry. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1560.pdf
Title: S.B. 1560
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Under present law, any municipality, county, utility district or other local government unit of the state may, upon request, purchase supplies, equipment and services for any other local government unit. Such purchases are made on the same terms and under the same rules and regulation as regular purchasers of the purchasing entity. The cost of the purchase is borne by the local government for which the purchase was made. Where the local government making the request is required to advertise and receive bids, it is sufficient that the purchasing entity only comply with its own purchasing requirements. Under this bill, a local education agency would be allowed to purchase equipment under the same terms of a legal bid initiated by any other LEA in the state. Any LEA would be allowed to purchase directly from a vendor the same equipment at the same price and under the same terms as provided in a contract for such equipment entered into by any other LEA. Any LEA which purchases equipment under the provisions of this bill would directly handle payment, refunds, returns, and any other communications or requirements involved in the purchase of the equipment without involving the LEA which originated the contract. The originating LEA would have no liability or responsibility for any purchases made by another LEA under a contract which the originating LEA negotiated and consummated.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=SB0878
Title: S.B. 878
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Governance |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to the state board of education; requires one appointee to be a K-12 public school teacher.
Title: H.B. 455
Source: StateNet |
Governance--Deregulation/Waivers/Home Rule |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows the Commissioner of Education to authorize up to 16 school systems to operate as alternative education programs which emphasize
school-based decision making. Current law authorizes up to eight school systems to operate such programs. Raises the maximum amount of the individual grants to be awarded for these programs from $50,000 to $75,000. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1024.pdf
Title: S.B. 1024
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
Postsec. |
Requires vaccinations for Meningococcal disease for post-secondary students who live in on-campus housing.
Title: S.B. 185
Source: StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
Postsec. |
Requires new incoming students at any public or private institution of higher learning to return a completed waiver form
that indicates that the institution has provided detailed information to the student concerning the risk factors for hepatitis B infection and the availability and effectiveness of vaccine for persons who are at-risk of the disease; and that the student, parent or guardian has received and reviewed the information and has chosen to have the student vaccinated or not to have the student vaccinated. In order to complete a waiver
form, a student who is eighteen (18) years of age or older may sign a waiver or, for minors, the student's parent or guardian may sign the waiver. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0136.pdf
Title: S.B. 1733
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
P-3 Grades 1-3 |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Removes a reference in TCA 49-6-301 which made kindergarten an optional program. Under current law, kindergarten is a mandatory program.
Title: S.B. 1974
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
Postsec. |
Relates to higher education; provides that the amount of the maximum grant for students enrolled at the eligible institutions of higher learning shall be determined by guidelines established by the state student assistance corporation.
Title: S.B. 1597
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
Postsec. |
Requires legislative confirmation of all appointed members of Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Tennessee Board of Regents and University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.
Title: S.B. 1812
Source: StateNet |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Urges full funding of 21st Century Learning Centers Program in fiscal year 2004 federal budget. Provides for the Tennessee General Assembly to memorialize the U.S. Congress to fully fund the 21st Century Learning Centers Program in the Fiscal Year 2004 budget at 1.5 billion dollars as was previously authorized by law. Certified copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to the members of the Tennessee Congressional delegation, U.S. Secretary of Education Ron Paige and President George W. Bush. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HJR0597.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 597
Source: StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
Postsec. |
Allows a higher education institution to disclose to an alleged victim of any crime of violence or a nonforcible sex offense, the final results of any disciplinary proceeding conducted by such institution against the alleged perpetrator of such crime or offense. Allows such institution to disclose to anyone the final results of any disciplinary proceeding conducted by such institution against an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or nonforcible sex offense, if the institution determines, as a result of that disciplinary proceeding, that the student committed a violation of the institution's rules or policies with respect to such crime or offense. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Fiscal/SB0272.pdf
Title: S.B. 272
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to sexual offenders; provides that no defined sexual offender shall knowingly reside or accept employment within 1,000 feet from a public, private or parochial school, licensed day care center or any other child care facility; makes provisions regarding residences and living accommodations within a specified distance of former victims or victim's immediate family members or knowingly come within a certain distance of former victims. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0095.pdf
Title: S.B. 740, H.B. 865
Source: StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Concerns juvenile offenders; strengthens procedures for notifying school principals of enrollment of students who have been convicted of serious criminal offenses. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0238.pdf
Title: S.B. 1744
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Requests the state board to study the issue of grading in Tennessee public schools with special emphasis on the area of numerical/letter grade equivalency. The state board is to report its conclusions and recommendations to the House and Senate
Education Committees by January 1, 2004. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/HJR0485.pdf
Title: H.J.R. 485
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the State Board of Education to submit a preliminary report prior to February 1, 2004, to apprise the Select Oversight
Committee on Education of progress made in implementing the special education caseload and class size standards policy adopted by the state board on April 26, 2002. The state board is also required to submit an end-of-year report prior to June 30, 2004. Copies of both the
preliminary and final report shall be provided to the Senate and House Education Committees, in addition to members of the Select Oversight
Committee on Education.Requires State Board of Education to submit to select oversight committee on education preliminary and end-of-school-year reports relative to implementation of special education case load and class size standards. (Summary from fiscal note.) http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SJR0238.pdf
Title: S.J.R. 238
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Special Populations--Gifted and Talented |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates a special joint study committee to review Tennessee Board of Education rules and regulations regarding intellectually gifted students.
Title: H.J.R. 75
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board of education, with the assistance of the commissioner of education, to study and determine the key academic teaching fields with the most critical shortages of highly qualified, licensed elementary and secondary teachers in the state. The board and commissioner will review, devise, and propose alternative plans for recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers in fields with critical shortages, particularly with respect to recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers in schools or school districts that are low performing. The board and commissioner must report such alternatives to the senate and house education committees before the second Tuesday in January 2004. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB1627.pdf
Title: S.B. 1627
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Clarifies that criminal history records check for persons working with children will include check conducted by federal bureau of investigation along with Tennessee bureau of investigation; clarifies that federal bureau of investigation will be reimbursed for cost of check in same as Tennessee bureau of investigation; includes religious, charitable, scientific, educational, or athletic institution or organization requesting such information.
Title: H.B. 1314
Source: StateNet |
Governance |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the Commissioner of Education to distribute in electronic format to the local boards of education, at the
conclusion of each regular session of the General Assembly, copies of newly enacted public chapters pertaining to public education.
Present law requires the Commission of Education to print and distribute to the local boards of education and all state, county and city school officers copies of the school law. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Fiscal/HB2014.pdf
Title: H.B. 2014
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Governance |
To governor 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Extends the termination date of the Board of Standards until June 30, 2009. Under the Tennessee Governmental Entity
Review Law, the Board is scheduled to terminate on June 30, 2003.
Title: H.B. 1539
Source: StateNet |
Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Includes third party payors or carriers regulated by department of commerce and insurance and self- insured entities as entities authorized to share information regarding child immunization records; relates to schools, child care facilities, and other institutions having care or custody of children.
Title: S.B. 1938
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Rule Adoption 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules relating to licensure, general requirements and effective dates regarding teacher education and licensure. http://www.state.tn.us/sos/rules/0520/0520-02/0520-02-03.pdf
Title: TAC 0520-2-3-.01, -.21
Source: |
Finance--Lotteries |
Approved by voters 11/2002 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amendment to the Constitution (Article XI, Section 5) permitting the legislature to authorize a state lottery if the net proceeds of the lottery's revenues are allocated to provide financial assistance to state citizens to attend in-state postsecondary educational institutions. Excess funds from lottery net proceeds after postsecondary financial assistance allocations are made will be appropriated to: (1) Capital outlay projects for K-12 educational facilities; and (2) Early learning programs and after school programs. Lottery net proceeds appropriations used to support improvements and enhancements for educational programs will be used to supplement, not supplant, non-lottery educational resources for education programs and purposes. All other forms of lottery are expressly prohibited unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of all members elected to each house of the General Assembly for an annual event operated for the benefit of a 501(c)(3) organization located in Tennessee. A state lottery means a lottery of the type such as in operation in Georgia, Kentucky and Virginia in 2000, and the amendment does not authorize games of chance associated with casinos, including, but not limited to, slot machines, roulette wheels, and the like. (http://www.state.tn.us/sos/election/amendment1.pdf)
Title: Constitutional Amendment 1
Source: Tennessee Division of Elections |
No Child Left Behind--Supplemental Services |
Active 08/2002 |
P-12 |
Supplemental Education Services web page: (http://www.state.tn.us/education/acctsupplemental.htm)
Supplemental Services application (deadline 8/9/02): (http://www.state.tn.us/education/acctsupplementalapp.pdf)
Approved providers: (http://www.state.tn.us/education/accttennesseessp.pdf)
Source: Tennessee Department of Education Web site |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 07/2002 |
P-12 |
By September 1 of each year, the commissioner is required to recommend for approval to the state board a listing of all schools to be placed on notice or probation for failure to make adequate progress. If a school system is deemed by the commissioner as not carrying out its responsibilities to a school or schools on notice or probation for technical or other assistance, the system may be included in the recommendation to the state board to be placed on notice or probation. Schools or school systems on notice or probation must abide by guidelines established by the commissioner. During the year on notice, the state department and the office of education accountability are to jointly study any school and/or school system placed on notice. The study will include findings on how the school and/or school system can meet the performance standards for adequate yearly progress. The commissioner has the authority to: (A) Approve the allocation of state discretionary grants; and/or (B) Provide technical assistance through an outside expert. The director of each local education agency serving schools placed on notice must promptly notify parents of students of such identification and revise school improvement plans. If a system or school does not meet the standards for adequate yearly progress by the end of the first year on notice, the system or school may be placed on probation. During the first year a system or school is on probation, the commissioner has the authority to: (A) Approve a school system's allocation of financial resources to a system or school on probation; and (B) Appoint a local community review committee to approve and monitor the school improvement plan. (2) The director of each local education agency serving schools placed on probation is responsible for the following actions: (A) Prompt notification to parents of students of such identification; (B) Implementation of performance contracts for the principal; (C) Provision for remediation services for students; (D) Notification to parents of their option to transfer their children to another public school within the system; and (E) Revision of school improvement plans to incorporate joint study findings. After two consecutive years of probation, if a school or system does not make progress to meet the standards for adequate yearly progress, the commissioner has the authority to: (1) Assume any or all powers of governance for the school or system, provided, however that in the case where the commissioner assumes governance of a school or system the district will continue to be accountable for the match required by the basic funding formula for students served; and/or (2) Recommend to the state board that the director of the local education agency be replaced; and/or (3) Recommend to the state board that some or all of the local board of education members be replaced. (4) If the state board concurs with the recommendation, the commissioner is required to order the removal of some or all of the board members and/or director of schools and shall declare a vacancy in the office or offices. Vacancies on the board are to be filled by the local legislative body until the next general election. If the entire board is removed, the commissioner appoints three citizens to serve the remainder of the term. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0860.pdf
Title: H.B. 3159
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 07/2002 |
P-12 |
Enacts the Tennessee Charter Schools Act of 2001. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0850.pdf
Title: H.B. 1131
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 07/2002 |
P-12 |
Each board of education shall require the daily recitation of the pledge of allegiance in each classroom in the school system in which a
flag is displayed. Each district is encouraged to have a flag in each classroom and patriotic, fraternal, and other organizations or individuals
are encouraged to donate flags to schools to enable them to have the flag of the United States of America present in each classroom. Each
board is required to determine the appropriate time during the school day for the recitation of the pledge of allegiance. At the time designated for the recitation of the pledge of allegiance, students shall stand and recite the pledge of allegiance while facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts or in an appropriate salute if in uniform; provided, however, no student shall be compelled to recite the pledge of allegiance if the student or the student's parent or legal guardian objects on religious, philosophical or other grounds to the student participating in such exercise. Students who are thus exempt from reciting the pledge of allegiance shall remain quietly standing or sitting at their desks while others recite the pledge of allegiance and shall make no display that disrupts or distracts others who are reciting the pledge of allegiance. Teachers or other school staff who have religious, philosophical, or other grounds for objecting are likewise exempt from leading or participating in the exercise. If a teacher chooses not to lead the pledge, another suitable person shall be designated either by the teacher or principal to
lead the class. Each board of education shall provide appropriate accommodations for students, teachers or other staff who are unable to
comply with the procedures described herein due to disability.
http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0841.pdf
Title: S.B. 2599
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Signed into law 07/2002 |
P-12 |
Creates a special joint committee to study the adequacy of funding for the Basic Education Program (BEP).
Title: H.J.R. 1191
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 07/2002 |
P-12 |
When a child is referred for assessment or evaluation of a possible disability, such assessment or evaluation must be completed as specified by the state board of education rules and regulations. The time frame from informed written parental consent to the placement of a child eligible for special education will be examined during the 2001-2002 school year by the state board and department of education. The state board and department will make a recommendation to the senate and house education committees regarding the amount of time that is needed for assessments by no later than December 31, 2002. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0843.pdf
Title: H.B. 572
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 06/2002 |
P-12 |
Relates to truancy; mukes state-wide present authorization limited to Shelby County for local education agency to enter into agreement with its local law enforcement agency to enforce compulsory attendance.
Title: H.B. 2650
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 06/2002 |
P-12 |
Prohibits issuance of certificate to drive school bus in this state if applicant has been convicted of driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, or aggravated vehicular assault within 5 years of application for certificate.
Title: H.B. 2106
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Career/Technical Education |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 06/2002 |
P-12 |
Provides that maximum degree to be required for local director of vocational education is either masters degree in curriculum instruction or masters degree in supervision and administration.
Title: S.B. 1765
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=SB1765 |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 06/2002 |
P-12 |
Directs the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to study the overall effect on local public education when property taxes or in lieu of tax payments earmarked for education are abated or reduced and whether the effect on local public education is offset by enhanced economic development.
Title: H.B. 2672
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 06/2002 |
P-12 |
Relates to urging primary and secondary schools to offer students more calcium rich foods and beverages in their lunch and snack bar programs.
Title: H.J.R. 646
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
No Child Left Behind |
Active 06/2002 |
P-12 |
2002 Consolidated Plan (dated 6/2002): http://www.state.tn.us/education/accttnconsolidatedapplication.pdf
Source: Tennessee Department of Education Web site |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 06/2002 |
P-12 |
Relates to education data stored electronically; allows the commissioner of education to establish guidelines regarding the timely and responsible release of education data for research purposes; establishes a task force to report its findings regarding the education data.
Title: H.B. 2827, S.B. 2969
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=HB2827 |
Assessment |
Signed into law 05/2002 |
P-12 |
Relates to comprehensive writing assessment scheduling.
Title: H.B. 2900
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Assessment--High Stakes/Competency |
Signed into law 05/2002 |
P-12 |
Makes the single exit exam prior to high school graduation optional instead of mandatory; requires results be shared with legislative oversight committee on education. - Amends Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 60.
Title: H.B. 2897
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2002 |
P-12 |
Requires CPR training in either junior or senior high school, as established by State Board of Education; provides that CPR training would commensurate with the learning expectations within the lifetime wellness curriculum.
Title: S.B. 2153
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2002 |
P-12 |
Expresses sense that each school-age child should have access to and participate in daily physical education and activity as part of educational experience; encourages public schools to promote physical activity and well-being among students to combat prevalence of obesity among Tennessee's children and teenagers.
Title: S.J.R. 569
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SJR0569.pdf |
P-3 |
Signed into law 05/2002 |
P-12 |
Applies the state board's of education child care standards to programs operated by private schools. Any funds or personnel involved in the regulation of schools covered under this bill are to be transferred from DHS to the department of education.
Title: S.B. 2380
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=SB2380 |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2002 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Relates to the reporting of certain crime statistics by the bureau of investigation; includes statistics as crimes against the students of institutions of higher education that are committed within the county where such school is located; includes crime data compilations for crimes involving the unlawful possession or sale of controlled substances as well.
Title: S.B. 2678
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 05/2002 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to adopt policies on the employment of substitute teachers. Such policies shall, at a minimum, address qualifications and training and shall ensure substitute teachers are subject to investigation pursuant to § 49-5-413. Such policies shall also prohibit hiring any substitute teacher whose records with the state department indicate a license or certificate currently in revoked status. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0770.pdf
Title: S.B. 2632
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 05/2002 |
P-12 |
Amends the Professional Negotiations Act. The "terms and conditions of professional service" or "working conditions" of professional employees are those fundamental matters that affect a professional employee financially or the employee's employment relationship with the board of education. While a board of education is not required to agree or concede to any proposal, good faith negotiations of terms and conditions of employment or working conditions of employees shall be undertaken, provided that no proposal may directly prevent the director of schools from transferring faculty and staff to address performance and accountability deficiencies as identified by state accountability standards. Basic education policy shall not be a mandatory subject of negotiations. "Basic education policy" shall be defined to include such things as the content of the curriculum, teaching strategies, class offerings, student placement and other things related to the policy's effect on the school system's overall ability to meet and maintain the state's student performance standards.
Title: S.B. 467
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0683.pdf |
Demographics--Enrollments |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
Postsec. |
Allows non-resident of county contiguous to Tennessee in another state to enroll in college or university (without tuition) despite presence of teacher college in another state of equal distance from residence or non-resident. Present law allows the waiver for residents of Kentucky counties within 30 miles of Austin Peay State University only if there is not an education college or normal school within equal distance of their home in Kentucky.
Title: S.B. 2865, HsB. 2639
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0595.pdf |
Leadership |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Provides that the Director of Schools rather than the board of education would have the authority to transfer teachers from one
position to another at his or her option. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0586.pdf
Title: S.B. 2175
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Pilot program (January 2002 to January 2003) in four counties; creates neighborhood school program that requires 25 percent of teachers in participating schools (one elementary in each country) to live within 10-mile radius of school; program goal is to enable teachers to be aware of and respond to learning and living environment of students. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0609.pdf
Title: H.B. 1537
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining |
Became law without governor's signature 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Amends the Education Professional Negotiations Act to define working conditions of professional employees and allows a liberal
interpretation of the term unless the proposed area of bargaining impinges so indirectly upon matters of employment as to require the exclusion of the subject from the area of mandatory bargaining.
Title: S.B. 467, H.B. 1913
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=SB0467 |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 04/2002 |
P-12 |
Extends length of initial contract textbook commission may make with textbook publishers from present three-year minimum and six-year maximum to at least 36 months but no more than 73 months. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 22.
Title: H.B. 2899
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 03/2002 |
P-12 |
Increases maximum size of county school boards from 10 to 12 members.
Title: S.B. 2018
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 03/2002 |
P-12 |
Specifies that the right to remain on the preferred list for employment would be in effect until: (1) The teacher refuses a bona fide offer of reemployment for a comparable position within the LEA; or (2) The director, after the teacher has been on the preferred list for reemployment for two consecutive years, notifies the teacher in writing by April 1 of the second consecutive year that the teacher's name will be removed from the list. The teacher could stay on the list by notifying the director by April 15 of each subsequent year of such teacher's desire to stay on the list. Under present law, a tenured teacher who has been dismissed because of abolition of position is placed on a preferred list for reemployment indefinitely. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=SB2275
Title: S.B. 2275
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
P-3 |
Signed into law 07/2001 |
P-12 |
Establishes and implements a mandatory child care agency report card system and a separate and voluntary child care agency rated licensing system. Child care providers that participate in the voluntary 3-star ratings system will receive an increase in the rate of payment for the care of low-income children. Payments will increase by 5%, 15% and 20%, respectively, for each star earned.
Title: S.B. 1667; same as H.B. 1390
Source: |
Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires the state board of education to establish by rule and policy a reading initiative for kindergarten through grade 8 that includes at a minimum: (1) clear content and performance standards for student reading proficiency; (2) specific qualifications, requirements and standards for the teaching of reading;
(3) developmentally appropriate diagnostic methods for assessing and monitoring the individual reading development of all children and identifying students who are having reading difficulties; (4) effective, developmentally appropriate instruction and intervention for all students based on their individual needs as identified by use of approved diagnostic methods; (5) training and support of all educators employed or
supervising instruction in such grades in the use and application of developmentally appropriate reading diagnostic, instructional and intervention methods; (6) notification to parents of their child' s level of reading
proficiency and any intervention that may be deemed necessary to ensure such child's ability to meet reading proficiency standards; (7) encouragement of parents to play an integral role in supporting their children in learning to read and write; and (8) a system of annual reporting, pursuant to Section 49-1-211, of the results of the reading initiative established by this section, including summary information from the reports by schools to local boards of education required by subdivision (d)(4) of this section. Also requires the state commissioner to recommend reading diagnostic methods and to develop guidelines. BILL WAS LEFT UNFUNDED, SO NO IMPLEMENTATION.
Title: S.B. 1881/H.B. 1921--Omnibus Bill
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0343.pdf |
Finance--Lotteries |
2002 November Ballot 06/2001 |
Postsec. |
LOTTERY AND GAMING (TNSJR1-2001) Proposes an amendment to article XI, Section 5, of the Constitution of Tennessee, relating to lotteries; provides that the net proceeds are state allocated to enable citizens of the state to attend postsecondary educational institutions in the state.
Title: V. 1
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Special Education |
Became law without governor's signature 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Relates to Congress; urges fully funding federal commitment to Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Title: S.J.R. 239
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 06/2001 |
P-12 |
Limits age ranges of instructional groups to range to a maximum of 36 months for special education purposes; requires state board of education to set class size standards and case load standards for instructional personnel; severity of disability is to be a weighing factor.
Title: S.B. 733
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires the disaggregation of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program scores prior to release as part of the commissioner's annual report due on November 1.
Title: H.B. 1301
Source: Tennessee Legislative Web Site |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Became law without governor's signature 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Increases from five to ten unexcused absences allowed prior to suspension or denial of driver license of minor individual enrolled in GED courses.
Title: S.B. 146
Source: Tennessee Legislative Web Site |
Assessment |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires the state department of education to develop alternative assessment for disabled students. The department is required to develop two alternative assessments as follows: (1) An academic skills assessment to be administered at an appropriate level of academic abilities; or (2) A portfolio-based assessment to test areas assessed by the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP).
Title: S.B. 343
Source: Tennessee Legislative Web Site |
Assessment |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires the state department to provide raw test score data to local education agencies as soon as practicable after receipt of such data, but in no case later than June 30. Amends TCA Section 49-1-606.
Title: S.B. 188
Source: Tennessee Legislative Web Site |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires immediate suspension and dismissal of teachers convicted of certain drug offenses. Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 5, Part 5.
Title: H.B. 1040
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires public schools to include in the course of instruction a component on personal finance education to help students develop an understanding of and develop appropriate skills relating to the role of money,
credit, budgets, financial planning, and other relevant financial topics. Requires the Department of Education to provide the appropriate curriculum in grades K-12 for personal finance education. Local boards of education may implement additional courses and materials in personal finance at their discretion.
Title: H.B. 1177
Source: Tennessee Legislative Web Site |
Health |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Adds vision screening to requirements for admission to public school, nursery school, kindergarten, preschool and child care; encourages parents to also obtain child's vision screening within six months of 3rd grade. (Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 50)
Title: S.B. 304
Source: Tennessee Legislative Web Site |
High School |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes local education agencies (LEAs) to enter into cooperative agreements with nonprofit entities to offer technical-prep high school curriculum under the following conditions: the local board of education must approve all agreements; agreements must be in writing and include course name, minimum number of student contact hours, whether the course is an elective or as part of the technical prep high school curriculum, instructor's qualifications, and any funding the local board of education provides to the non-profit organization; courses approved for credit are limited to those for which the state board offers no teaching endorsements; the nonprofit is located in the LEAs' service area and has a primary purpose of promoting educational programs with an emphasis on state of the art technology; any course offered must have prior approval of the state department acting in accordance with the state board on special courses; and any funding provided to the nonprofit by the board shall not exceed, on a per-pupil basis, regular tuition charged other attendees for the same or similar classes. The bill prohibits LEAs from entering into agreements if such agreements directly result in the elimination of an existing course offering of the local board of education.
Title: S.B. 1743
Source: Tennessee Legislative Web Site: |
Leadership |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires boards of education to announce when applications for superintendent are to be submitted and when superintendent will be employed. - Amends TCA Section 49-2-203.
Title: H.B. 389
Source: Tennessee Legislative Web Site |
Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Allows electronic textbooks to be recommended, adopted, and purchased in same manner as regular textbooks. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 22.
Title: H.B. 604
Source: Tennessee Legislative Web Site |
P-3 Finance |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Preschool Funding: Requires schools for preschool children organized as public schools or as
public school classes to be maintained and supported from state, local and federal funds which hereafter may be appropriated specifically for preschool purposes, or from such gifts, donations or grants as may be received for preschool purposes. Allows state funds generated through the Basic Education Program (BEP) formula and local matching funds to be used for preschool purposes. If funded through the BEP, preschool would be based upon average daily preschool membership.
Title: S.B. 1881/H.B. 1921--Omnibus Bill
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
Postsec. |
(Joint Resolution) Urges National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education to select Tennessee a one of multi-state participant in long-term strategic planning on state higher education policy using NCPPHE's Measuring Up 2000 report.
Title: S.J.R. 59
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Reading/Literacy |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Modifies reporting requirements to include a more general report on the number, status, and funding of reading programs in grades kindergarten through three. Must include: (1) The number of identifiable reading programs being conducted in Tennessee; (2) The local education agencies which are conducting such
programs and the number of programs in each LEA; (3) The number of students served in each program;
(4) The number of hours such programs are conducted, either by the week or school term; (5) The source of funding for such programs, whether federal, state, local, or private; (6) The amount spent on reading programs by each LEA, from all sources; (7) The testing procedures used to evaluate students before,
during, and after such programs; (8) The number of teachers certified as reading specialists in each LEA; and (9) Such other information as the joint oversight committee, the education committees of either house, or the committee on children and family affairs of the house of representatives may request.
Title: S.B. 1173
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires local education agencies to adopt written policies prohibiting hazing by any student or organization operating under sanction of those boards/districts. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 2, Part 1.
Title: H.B. 903
Source: Tennessee Legislative Web Stie |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
States that Basic Education Program funds generated in salary components for non-licensed personnel may be used to increase salaries for currently employed non-licensed personnel except where such funds are generated for new or additional positions.
Title: S.B. 346
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Urges the President and the United states Congress to increase federal funds for special education to the share level authorized by the Individual with Disabilities Act.
Title: H.J.R. 151
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Revises provisions for teachers' duty-free planning periods; requires reporting to state department of education, and prohibits combining duty-free lunch period with duty-free planning period. - Amends TCA Section 49-1-302(e).
Title: H.B. 1039
Source: Tennessee Legislative Web Site |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to reimburse up to 100 teachers for evaluation fees incurred while obtaining certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Current law authorizes reimbursement of up to 25 teachers. Requires payment of $2,500 per year to nationally certified public school teachers who have a valid teaching license and valid certification, subject to funding in the general appropriations act.
Title: S.B. 1881/H.B. 1921--Omnibus Bill
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
To governor 05/2001 |
P-12 |
Creates a scholarship program for college juniors, seniors, and post-graduate students who pledge to teach in public schools for a required number of years. Requires the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) to administer the scholarship program and to provide the department of education with rosters of program participants and their areas of endorsement for job placement. TSAC, in conjunction with the State Board of Education and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, is authorized to make rules. Each scholarship may be up to the amount of tuition, fees, books, and room and board charged at a public institution of higher education in Tennessee. A scholarship could be renewed two times. A scholarship would be evidenced by a note payable at 9% interest. Authorizes scholarships to be forgiven at the rate of one year's scholarship for two years of teaching or one and one-half years of teaching in a
geographical shortage area or low performing school. A scholarship loan could be terminated for withdrawal from school or failure to meet academic standards.
Title: S.B. 1881/H.B. 1921--Omnibus Bill
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Expands from five schools to five LEAs in each grand division who are required to file report with commissioner of education on conflict resolution intervention programs. - Amends TCA Section 49-2-118.
Title: S.B. 215
Source: Tennessee Legislative Web Site |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes counties with metropolitan governments in which principal city is not county seat to adopt consolidation plan for school systems with approval of governing body of metropolitan government and approval by all affected school boards. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 2.
Title: H.B. 465
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Assessment |
Signed into law 06/2000 |
P-12 |
Urges Department of Education to modify and revise portfolio assessment piloted for evaluating students with disabilities who do not participate in statewide assessment.
Title: H.J.R. 589
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Attendance |
Became law without governor's signature 06/2000 |
P-12 |
Requires State to deny drivers license or permit to student withdrawn from secondary school who has 5 or more unexcused absences while attending course leading to a GED certificate.
Title: S.B. 3152
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 06/2000 |
P-12 |
Authorizes local Boards of Education to maintain records of proceedings of board in electronic format.
Title: S.B. 1322
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Reading/Literacy |
Signed into law 06/2000 |
P-12 |
Requires certain actions by State Department of Education, State Board of Education, and Higher Education Commission to improve teaching of reading and literacy in Tennessee.
Title: S.B. 2485
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 06/2000 |
P-12 |
Allows local Boards of Education to set longer period for school speed zones around schools.
Title: H.B. 2025
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 06/2000 |
P-12 |
Requires student to be enrolled in school under name that appears on certificate of birth and to use that throughout school career.
Title: S.B. 1882
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 06/2000 |
P-12 |
Provides that local teacher retirement funds should be well managed; requires annual reports to local legislative bodies.
Title: S.B. 2755
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 06/2000 |
P-12 |
Allows retired teachers to resume teaching without loss of benefits under certain conditions.
Title: S.B. 2124
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Attendance |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
P-12 |
Establishes standard by which school pupils subject to mandatory attendance are found to be habitual truant or truant; authorizes law enforcement officers and school attendance officers to pick up and deliver truant to parent, guardian, school principal or truancy center; provides such officers with civil immunity for such actions unless found to be outside scope of employment or performed with gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Title: S.B. 2425
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
Postsec. |
Pertains to the University of Tennessee; provides that copyrighted computer materials held by state institution, the university are not open to public inspection; provides that such materials produced by university employees are open to audit inspections.
Title: H.B. 2770
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
Postsec. |
Modifies certain procedures for protecting confidential research records and materials handled by higher education.
Title: H.B. 2769
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Allows non-citizens to be employed at public schools and colleges in Tennessee.
Title: S.B. 2939
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Governance and Structures |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
Postsec. |
Pertains to higher education; requires THEC evaluation and approval of any new branch or satellite campuses of existing state institutions of higher education.
Title: H.B. 2332
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
Postsec. |
Requires THEC to develop and enforce policies for transfer of credits among various institutions of higher education and structuring of courses at such institutions to facilitate this.
Title: H.B. 2318
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
P-12 |
Urges the Department of Education to prepare and provide to all public schools guides to legally permissible practices for disclosure and sharing of student disciplinary information among educators.
Title: S.J.R. 620
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
P-12 |
Encourages local education agencies to extend conflict resolution intervention program implemented in grades 1 and 2 to grades 3 through 6, and to file annual progress report with Governor and Education Committees of the House and Senate.
Title: H.B. 2104
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension |
Signed into law 05/2000 |
P-12 |
, Defines expulsion, suspension and remand for purposes of disciplinary actions in schools.
Title: H.B. 3022
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Private Schools |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
Allows teachers at non-public schools to receive professional licensure on same basis as similarly qualified public school teachers.
Title: H.B. 2680
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
Revises "zero tolerance" law on suspension or expulsion of students who commit certain offenses.
Title: H.B. 2679
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Signed into law 04/2000 |
P-12 |
Provides for standardized system of reporting local education agencies' financial information to Commissioner of Education.
Title: S.B. 2435
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 03/2000 |
P-12 |
Urges employers to excuse employees from work to attend parent-teacher conferences when given 24 hour notice.
Title: H.J.R. 56
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Signed into law 03/2000 |
Postsec. |
Relates to higher education; repeals requirement that supreme court directly review by appeal decree of chancery court involving tenured faculty member dismissed or suspended for cause.
Title: H.B. 2227
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 03/2000 |
P-12 |
Specifies the teacher employed as probationary teacher for 1 year and as an apprentice teacher for 2 years will be considered as having met the 3 apprentice years requirement.
Title: S.B. 2182
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 03/2000 |
P-12 |
Relates to teachers, principals and school personnel; deletes provisions preventing contract extension for teacher 70 years of age or older.
Title: S.B. 2299
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance |
Signed into law 02/2000 |
P-12 |
Provides for coordinated school health program; requires program to include, but not be limited to, school nurses, health education, school nutrition services, a health school environment, and school counseling, psychological and social services.
Title: H.B. 674
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |