Education

HB 2485 updates Tennessee's definition of "economically disadvantaged" students to include those directly certified for free school meals (without household applications) and students from households receiving SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or Medicaid benefits. This change affects school districts (LEAs) receiving state education funding under the TISA formula, as it alters how student need is measured for allocation purposes. The bill requires the state to provide additional funds to any district whose TISA allocation decreases due to fewer identified disadvantaged students under the new definition, ensuring funding levels match prior years for the 2027-2028 school year through 2029-2030. It also mandates the state seek federal approval to update its ESSA plan to align with this revised definition.

HB 2277 requires all Tennessee public schools to annually report every local assessment they administer - including its purpose, subject, grade level, and schedule - to the state education department. This bill eliminates schools' ability to use non-state universal screeners (like reading assessments) and mandates they use only the state-provided Tennessee universal reading screener for K-3 students. The department must create an online database showing all local assessments by school, grade, and subject, making the data publicly accessible before each school year. It also establishes an assessment review board of nine classroom teachers to evaluate the state’s TCAP tests. The bill directly affects every public school and charter school in Tennessee.

HB 2422 deletes outdated language in Tennessee law (TCA 49-6-6013) that previously described the format for state assessment tests during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. The bill directly affects Tennessee's education code by removing obsolete references no longer applicable to current testing procedures. This administrative change does not alter current assessment requirements or the structure of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) for future school years.

HB 1729 updates Tennessee's homeschooling testing requirements by allowing the Classic Learning Test (CLT) to be used alongside the ACT and SAT for academic assessments. It requires homeschool parents to administer either a nationally normed test (like the CLT) or public school-approved tests in grades 5, 7, and 9, with results shared with schools and the state board. The bill also establishes remediation steps if students don't meet proficiency, including consulting licensed teachers, and permits homeschoolers to take public school advanced courses or preparatory exams (like the CLT) if space is available. This directly affects Tennessee homeschooling families by expanding testing options and academic support pathways.

HB 2532 increases the maximum number of education freedom scholarships available to eligible Tennessee students from 25,000 to 40,000 for the 2026-2027 school year. It directs the governor to elect Tennessee’s participation in a federal education tax credit program by December 2026 and comply with all future requirements to maintain that participation. The bill amends Tennessee Code to clarify scholarship eligibility for K-12 students and establishes the 40,000 cap as the new maximum limit. These changes directly affect students qualifying for the education freedom scholarship program and the state’s administrative processes for the program.