Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-9-1501 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 49-9-1501
Purpose of part
Status: in_force

The purpose of this part is to accomplish the following: (1) Foster economic growth by significantly increasing the number of science, technology, engineering and mathematics doctoral students produced at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and other state universities; (2) Accelerate the state's economic and workforce development efforts in the field of energy sciences and engineering; (3) Support the continued development of clean energy technologies and jobs in Tennessee; (4) Leverage for the purposes set forth herein the existing capabilities of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory; (5) Elevate the status of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville as a top tier national research institution through expanded collaboration with the laboratory; (6) Encourage and facilitate the development of an interdisciplinary program in energy science and engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville that shall provide students an opportunity to undertake transformative research activities; (7) Promote and develop support for collaborative research and development by interdisciplinary teams of University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and other state university faculties and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in energy-related fields; (8) Foster and promote research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics that encourages entrepreneurial opportunities in Tennessee; and (9) Expand the number of University of Tennessee, Knoxville graduate students conducting their graduate research and education at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory working with laboratory scientific staff and using the unique facilities of the laboratory. Acts 2010 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 3, § 9.
The purpose of this part is to accomplish the following:
(1) Foster economic growth by significantly increasing the number of science, technology, engineering and mathematics doctoral students produced at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and other state universities;
(2) Accelerate the state's economic and workforce development efforts in the field of energy sciences and engineering;
(3) Support the continued development of clean energy technologies and jobs in Tennessee;
(4) Leverage for the purposes set forth herein the existing capabilities of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory;
(5) Elevate the status of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville as a top tier national research institution through expanded collaboration with the laboratory;
(6) Encourage and facilitate the development of an interdisciplinary program in energy science and engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville that shall provide students an opportunity to undertake transformative research activities;
(7) Promote and develop support for collaborative research and development by interdisciplinary teams of University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and other state university faculties and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in energy-related fields;
(8) Foster and promote research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics that encourages entrepreneurial opportunities in Tennessee; and
(9) Expand the number of University of Tennessee, Knoxville graduate students conducting their graduate research and education at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory working with laboratory scientific staff and using the unique facilities of the laboratory.
Acts 2010 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 3, § 9.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-4-1003 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 49-4-1003
[Repealed effective 6/30/2025] Part definitions
Status: repealed

As used in this part: (1) "Course completion" means the last day of instruction for the period or semester as determined by the student's educational institution; (2) "Educational institution" means any public university, college, community college, college of applied technology, or any private college or university that is regionally accredited and has its primary campus domiciled in this state; (3) "Educational program" means a program offered by an educational institution through which a student can earn a certificate or diploma, but does not mean a doctoral program; (4) "Federal tuition assistance" means federal military tuition assistance other than Montgomery GI Bill benefits and Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits; (5) "Full-time student" means a student attending an educational institution and enrolled in at least twelve (12) semester hours during each semester of attendance toward a first bachelor's degree; (6) "Member" means an active member of a federally recognized unit of the Tennessee national guard who is maintaining satisfactory membership as defined by regulations of the department of the United States army and the department of the United States air force; (7) "Officer-producing program" means a reserve officer training corps program offered through a college or university; (8) "Semester" means a fall, spring, or summer semester at an educational institution, if the educational institution is on a semester system, or the equivalent, if the educational institution is on a system other than a semester system; (9) "Semester hour" means the credit hour used by an educational institution, if the institution is on a semester system, or its equivalent if the institution is on a system other than a semester system, and includes each semester hour attempted, whether remedial or for credit toward a degree, but does not include any semester hour attempted before graduating from high school or earning a high school equivalency diploma; (10) "Tennessee national guard" means the federally recognized units of the Tennessee army and air national guard; and (11) "Tuition" means the total semester, quarter, or classroom hour cost of instruction delineated in the catalog of an educational institution, including all mandatory fees. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 216, Secs.s 2, s 3 eff. 7/1/2021. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 216, s 1, eff. 7/1/2021. Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 229, Secs.s 2, s 3 eff. 4/24/2017. Acts 2004, ch. 477, § 3.
As used in this part:
(1) "Course completion" means the last day of instruction for the period or semester as determined by the student's educational institution;
(2) "Educational institution" means any public university, college, community college, college of applied technology, or any private college or university that is regionally accredited and has its primary campus domiciled in this state;
(3) "Educational program" means a program offered by an educational institution through which a student can earn a certificate or diploma, but does not mean a doctoral program;
(4) "Federal tuition assistance" means federal military tuition assistance other than Montgomery GI Bill benefits and Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits;
(5) "Full-time student" means a student attending an educational institution and enrolled in at least twelve (12) semester hours during each semester of attendance toward a first bachelor's degree;
(6) "Member" means an active member of a federally recognized unit of the Tennessee national guard who is maintaining satisfactory membership as defined by regulations of the department of the United States army and the department of the United States air force;
(7) "Officer-producing program" means a reserve officer training corps program offered through a college or university;
(8) "Semester" means a fall, spring, or summer semester at an educational institution, if the educational institution is on a semester system, or the equivalent, if the educational institution is on a system other than a semester system;
(9) "Semester hour" means the credit hour used by an educational institution, if the institution is on a semester system, or its equivalent if the institution is on a system other than a semester system, and includes each semester hour attempted, whether remedial or for credit toward a degree, but does not include any semester hour attempted before graduating from high school or earning a high school equivalency diploma;
(10) "Tennessee national guard" means the federally recognized units of the Tennessee army and air national guard; and
(11) "Tuition" means the total semester, quarter, or classroom hour cost of instruction delineated in the catalog of an educational institution, including all mandatory fees.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 216, Secs.s 2, s 3 eff. 7/1/2021.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 216, s 1, eff. 7/1/2021.
Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 229, Secs.s 2, s 3 eff. 4/24/2017.
Acts 2004, ch. 477, § 3.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-4301 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-4301
School officials to report student offenses
Status: in_force

(a) (1) A teacher who observes or otherwise has knowledge of an assault and battery or an act of vandalism endangering life, health, or safety committed by a student on school property shall immediately report such action to the principal of the teacher's school. (2) A principal who has direct knowledge of an assault and battery or an act of vandalism endangering life, health, or safety committed by a student on school property, or who receives a report of such action, shall immediately report such action to the director of schools and the municipal or metropolitan police department or sheriff's department having jurisdiction. (3) A director of schools or the head of a public charter school who has knowledge of a valid threat of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity pursuant to § 39-16-517 made by a student shall immediately report such action to the municipal or metropolitan police department or sheriff's department having jurisdiction. A threat of mass violence is valid for purposes of this subdivision (a)(3) if such a determination is made based on the results of the threat assessment required in § 49-6-3401(g)(5) . (4) A fight not involving the use of a weapon as defined in § 39-17-1309 , or a fight that does not result in serious personal injury to one (1) or more of the parties involved, must only be reported to the school administrator. (b) The report made to the law enforcement agency shall include, if known, the name and address of the offender, and the name and address of the victim, if any. The report shall also contain a description of the action and whatever additional information is requested by the law enforcement agency. (c) The commissioner of education, in conjunction with the commissioner of safety, shall establish a statewide uniform violent incident reporting system that all LEAs shall follow. The uniform violent incident reporting system shall require all LEAs to report annually to the commissioner in a form and by a date prescribed by the commissioner, the following information concerning violent and disruptive incidents, as defined by the commissioner, that occurred in the prior school year: (1) The type of offenders; (2) If an offender is a student, the age and grade of the student; (3) The location at which the incident occurred; (4) The type of incident; (5) Whether the incident occurred during or outside of regular school hours; (6) Where the incident involved a weapon, whether the weapon was a firearm, knife or other weapon; (7) The actions taken by the school in response to the incident, including when the incident was reported to law enforcement officials and whether disciplinary action was taken against the offenders by law enforcement; (8) Any student discipline or referral action taken against a student offender and the duration of the action; and (9) The nature of the victim and the victim's age and grade where appropriate. (d) The commissioner shall require a summary of the information from subsection (c) to be included, in a form prescribed by the commissioner, in the annual report published by the commissioner each year pursuant to § 49-1-211 . (e) Annually on or before February 1 of each year, the commissioner shall report to the governor and the general assembly concerning the prevalence of violent and disruptive incidents in the public schools and the effectiveness of school programs undertaken to reduce violence and assure the safety and security of students and school personnel. The report shall summarize the information available from the incident reporting system and identify specifically the schools and school districts with the least and greatest incidence of violent incidents and the least and most improvement since the previous year or years. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 882,s 4, eff. 5/1/2024. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 153, s 1, eff. 4/13/2023. Acts 1981, ch. 341, § 1; T.C.A., § 49-1320; Acts 2007 , ch. 548, § 15.
(a) (1) A teacher who observes or otherwise has knowledge of an assault and battery or an act of vandalism endangering life, health, or safety committed by a student on school property shall immediately report such action to the principal of the teacher's school. (2) A principal who has direct knowledge of an assault and battery or an act of vandalism endangering life, health, or safety committed by a student on school property, or who receives a report of such action, shall immediately report such action to the director of schools and the municipal or metropolitan police department or sheriff's department having jurisdiction. (3) A director of schools or the head of a public charter school who has knowledge of a valid threat of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity pursuant to § 39-16-517 made by a student shall immediately report such action to the municipal or metropolitan police department or sheriff's department having jurisdiction. A threat of mass violence is valid for purposes of this subdivision (a)(3) if such a determination is made based on the results of the threat assessment required in § 49-6-3401(g)(5) . (4) A fight not involving the use of a weapon as defined in § 39-17-1309 , or a fight that does not result in serious personal injury to one (1) or more of the parties involved, must only be reported to the school administrator.
(1) A teacher who observes or otherwise has knowledge of an assault and battery or an act of vandalism endangering life, health, or safety committed by a student on school property shall immediately report such action to the principal of the teacher's school.
(2) A principal who has direct knowledge of an assault and battery or an act of vandalism endangering life, health, or safety committed by a student on school property, or who receives a report of such action, shall immediately report such action to the director of schools and the municipal or metropolitan police department or sheriff's department having jurisdiction.
(3) A director of schools or the head of a public charter school who has knowledge of a valid threat of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity pursuant to § 39-16-517 made by a student shall immediately report such action to the municipal or metropolitan police department or sheriff's department having jurisdiction. A threat of mass violence is valid for purposes of this subdivision (a)(3) if such a determination is made based on the results of the threat assessment required in § 49-6-3401(g)(5) .
(4) A fight not involving the use of a weapon as defined in § 39-17-1309 , or a fight that does not result in serious personal injury to one (1) or more of the parties involved, must only be reported to the school administrator.
(b) The report made to the law enforcement agency shall include, if known, the name and address of the offender, and the name and address of the victim, if any. The report shall also contain a description of the action and whatever additional information is requested by the law enforcement agency.
(c) The commissioner of education, in conjunction with the commissioner of safety, shall establish a statewide uniform violent incident reporting system that all LEAs shall follow. The uniform violent incident reporting system shall require all LEAs to report annually to the commissioner in a form and by a date prescribed by the commissioner, the following information concerning violent and disruptive incidents, as defined by the commissioner, that occurred in the prior school year: (1) The type of offenders; (2) If an offender is a student, the age and grade of the student; (3) The location at which the incident occurred; (4) The type of incident; (5) Whether the incident occurred during or outside of regular school hours; (6) Where the incident involved a weapon, whether the weapon was a firearm, knife or other weapon; (7) The actions taken by the school in response to the incident, including when the incident was reported to law enforcement officials and whether disciplinary action was taken against the offenders by law enforcement; (8) Any student discipline or referral action taken against a student offender and the duration of the action; and (9) The nature of the victim and the victim's age and grade where appropriate.
(1) The type of offenders;
(2) If an offender is a student, the age and grade of the student;
(3) The location at which the incident occurred;
(4) The type of incident;
(5) Whether the incident occurred during or outside of regular school hours;
(6) Where the incident involved a weapon, whether the weapon was a firearm, knife or other weapon;
(7) The actions taken by the school in response to the incident, including when the incident was reported to law enforcement officials and whether disciplinary action was taken against the offenders by law enforcement;
(8) Any student discipline or referral action taken against a student offender and the duration of the action; and
(9) The nature of the victim and the victim's age and grade where appropriate.
(d) The commissioner shall require a summary of the information from subsection (c) to be included, in a form prescribed by the commissioner, in the annual report published by the commissioner each year pursuant to § 49-1-211 .
(e) Annually on or before February 1 of each year, the commissioner shall report to the governor and the general assembly concerning the prevalence of violent and disruptive incidents in the public schools and the effectiveness of school programs undertaken to reduce violence and assure the safety and security of students and school personnel. The report shall summarize the information available from the incident reporting system and identify specifically the schools and school districts with the least and greatest incidence of violent incidents and the least and most improvement since the previous year or years.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 882,s 4, eff. 5/1/2024.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 153, s 1, eff. 4/13/2023.
Acts 1981, ch. 341, § 1; T.C.A., § 49-1320; Acts 2007 , ch. 548, § 15.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-802 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-802
State-level safety team - Template for safety and emergency response plans
Status: in_force

(a) The commissioner of safety shall establish a state-level safety team, which shall assist LEAs and schools with compliance with this part as reasonably necessary. As part of the assistance, the state-level safety team shall publish a template for use by districts in preparing their district-level safety plans and building-level emergency response plans, which template shall outline the responsibilities of the LEAs and individual schools in complying with this part. The state-level safety team shall regularly review and update the template. (b) The commissioner shall appoint the members of the state-level safety team, including: (1) A representative of the department of education; (2) A representative of the Tennessee bureau of investigation; (3) A representative of homeland security; (4) A representative of the department of mental health and substance abuse services; (5) A representative of the emergency medical services of the department of health; (6) A representative of the state board of education; (7) A representative of the Tennessee association of school resource officers; (8) A representative of the department of intellectual and developmental disabilities; (9) A representative of the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association; and (10) A representative of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. (c) The commissioner may also appoint a representative from each of the following: (1) Directors of schools; (2) Members of local boards of education; (3) The Tennessee alternative education association; (4) Public school teachers; (5) The Tennessee association of mental health organizations; (6) School counselors and psychologists; (7) Parents of students enrolled in public schools; (8) Tennessee students between sixteen (16) and twenty-four (24) years of age; and (9) The Tennessee school health coalition. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 367, s 3, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 367, s 2, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 367, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023. Acts 2007 , ch. 548, § 3; 2010 , ch. 1100, §§ 74, 75; 2011 , ch. 428, § 1; 2012 , ch. 575, § 1.
(a) The commissioner of safety shall establish a state-level safety team, which shall assist LEAs and schools with compliance with this part as reasonably necessary. As part of the assistance, the state-level safety team shall publish a template for use by districts in preparing their district-level safety plans and building-level emergency response plans, which template shall outline the responsibilities of the LEAs and individual schools in complying with this part. The state-level safety team shall regularly review and update the template.
(b) The commissioner shall appoint the members of the state-level safety team, including: (1) A representative of the department of education; (2) A representative of the Tennessee bureau of investigation; (3) A representative of homeland security; (4) A representative of the department of mental health and substance abuse services; (5) A representative of the emergency medical services of the department of health; (6) A representative of the state board of education; (7) A representative of the Tennessee association of school resource officers; (8) A representative of the department of intellectual and developmental disabilities; (9) A representative of the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association; and (10) A representative of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.
(1) A representative of the department of education;
(2) A representative of the Tennessee bureau of investigation;
(3) A representative of homeland security;
(4) A representative of the department of mental health and substance abuse services;
(5) A representative of the emergency medical services of the department of health;
(6) A representative of the state board of education;
(7) A representative of the Tennessee association of school resource officers;
(8) A representative of the department of intellectual and developmental disabilities;
(9) A representative of the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association; and
(10) A representative of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.
(c) The commissioner may also appoint a representative from each of the following: (1) Directors of schools; (2) Members of local boards of education; (3) The Tennessee alternative education association; (4) Public school teachers; (5) The Tennessee association of mental health organizations; (6) School counselors and psychologists; (7) Parents of students enrolled in public schools; (8) Tennessee students between sixteen (16) and twenty-four (24) years of age; and (9) The Tennessee school health coalition.
(1) Directors of schools;
(2) Members of local boards of education;
(3) The Tennessee alternative education association;
(4) Public school teachers;
(5) The Tennessee association of mental health organizations;
(6) School counselors and psychologists;
(7) Parents of students enrolled in public schools;
(8) Tennessee students between sixteen (16) and twenty-four (24) years of age; and
(9) The Tennessee school health coalition.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 367, s 3, eff. 7/1/2023.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 367, s 2, eff. 7/1/2023.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 367, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023.
Acts 2007 , ch. 548, § 3; 2010 , ch. 1100, §§ 74, 75; 2011 , ch. 428, § 1; 2012 , ch. 575, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-1254 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 49-2-1254
Multi-county consolidated school systems - Preparation of consolidation plan
Status: in_force

(a) (1) The planning commission shall be authorized to prepare a plan for the consolidation of such county school systems. (2) The plan as agreed upon by a majority of the planning commission shall be submitted to the department of education for appraisal. (3) The recommendations that the department sees fit to make shall be considered by the planning commission and the plan of consolidation may be revised in the light of the recommendations. (b) (1) Before presentation of any proposed plan of consolidation to the department, the planning commission shall hold at least one (1) public hearing duly advertised at least one (1) week prior to the hearing in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation in each of the counties involved. (2) A record shall be kept of the public hearing in each county and a copy filed with the department. (c) In developing any consolidation plan, the planning commission shall consider and provide for the following: (1) Administrative organization of the proposed consolidated system; (2) A method to ensure no diminution in the level of the educational service in the schools in any of the county systems involved; (3) Appropriate means for the transfer of all assets and liabilities, including title to all school property, real and personal, of the county systems to the consolidated system; (4) Plans for disposition of existing bonded indebtedness, which shall not impair the rights of any of the bond holders; (5) Plans for the preservation of the existing pension rights of all teachers and nonteaching personnel in the respective systems; (6) Plans for preserving the existing tenure rights, sick leave rights and salary schedule rights, of all teachers and nonteaching personnel in the respective systems; (7) Appropriate plans for contributions by counties to the consolidated system for the operation of a unified system of schools during the period of transition following consolidation, which period shall not exceed three (3) years; (8) Appropriate plans for reapportionment after each federal decennial census of districts for election of members of the consolidated school board; and (9) Any other matter deemed by the planning commission to be pertinent. Acts 1992, ch. 535, § 65.
(a) (1) The planning commission shall be authorized to prepare a plan for the consolidation of such county school systems. (2) The plan as agreed upon by a majority of the planning commission shall be submitted to the department of education for appraisal. (3) The recommendations that the department sees fit to make shall be considered by the planning commission and the plan of consolidation may be revised in the light of the recommendations.
(1) The planning commission shall be authorized to prepare a plan for the consolidation of such county school systems.
(2) The plan as agreed upon by a majority of the planning commission shall be submitted to the department of education for appraisal.
(3) The recommendations that the department sees fit to make shall be considered by the planning commission and the plan of consolidation may be revised in the light of the recommendations.
(b) (1) Before presentation of any proposed plan of consolidation to the department, the planning commission shall hold at least one (1) public hearing duly advertised at least one (1) week prior to the hearing in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation in each of the counties involved. (2) A record shall be kept of the public hearing in each county and a copy filed with the department.
(1) Before presentation of any proposed plan of consolidation to the department, the planning commission shall hold at least one (1) public hearing duly advertised at least one (1) week prior to the hearing in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation in each of the counties involved.
(2) A record shall be kept of the public hearing in each county and a copy filed with the department.
(c) In developing any consolidation plan, the planning commission shall consider and provide for the following: (1) Administrative organization of the proposed consolidated system; (2) A method to ensure no diminution in the level of the educational service in the schools in any of the county systems involved; (3) Appropriate means for the transfer of all assets and liabilities, including title to all school property, real and personal, of the county systems to the consolidated system; (4) Plans for disposition of existing bonded indebtedness, which shall not impair the rights of any of the bond holders; (5) Plans for the preservation of the existing pension rights of all teachers and nonteaching personnel in the respective systems; (6) Plans for preserving the existing tenure rights, sick leave rights and salary schedule rights, of all teachers and nonteaching personnel in the respective systems; (7) Appropriate plans for contributions by counties to the consolidated system for the operation of a unified system of schools during the period of transition following consolidation, which period shall not exceed three (3) years; (8) Appropriate plans for reapportionment after each federal decennial census of districts for election of members of the consolidated school board; and (9) Any other matter deemed by the planning commission to be pertinent.
(1) Administrative organization of the proposed consolidated system;
(2) A method to ensure no diminution in the level of the educational service in the schools in any of the county systems involved;
(3) Appropriate means for the transfer of all assets and liabilities, including title to all school property, real and personal, of the county systems to the consolidated system;
(4) Plans for disposition of existing bonded indebtedness, which shall not impair the rights of any of the bond holders;
(5) Plans for the preservation of the existing pension rights of all teachers and nonteaching personnel in the respective systems;
(6) Plans for preserving the existing tenure rights, sick leave rights and salary schedule rights, of all teachers and nonteaching personnel in the respective systems;
(7) Appropriate plans for contributions by counties to the consolidated system for the operation of a unified system of schools during the period of transition following consolidation, which period shall not exceed three (3) years;
(8) Appropriate plans for reapportionment after each federal decennial census of districts for election of members of the consolidated school board; and
(9) Any other matter deemed by the planning commission to be pertinent.
Acts 1992, ch. 535, § 65.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-451 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-451
Juvenile Offender Act - Informing pupils of provisions
Status: in_force

(a) At or near the beginning of each school year, the board of education of each LEA shall be responsible for informing all pupils in grades seven through twelve (7-12), inclusive, of the Juvenile Offender Act, compiled in title 55, chapter 10, part 7. This shall be accomplished both orally by teachers and through the distribution of a pamphlet. (b) Failure of an LEA to comply with this section is not a defense to the issuance of an order of denial. Acts 1989, ch. 64, § 13.
(a) At or near the beginning of each school year, the board of education of each LEA shall be responsible for informing all pupils in grades seven through twelve (7-12), inclusive, of the Juvenile Offender Act, compiled in title 55, chapter 10, part 7. This shall be accomplished both orally by teachers and through the distribution of a pamphlet.
(b) Failure of an LEA to comply with this section is not a defense to the issuance of an order of denial.
Acts 1989, ch. 64, § 13.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-802 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 49-7-802
Part definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Account owner" means an individual, association, corporation, trust, charitable organization, or other such entity that establishes an educational investment trust account pursuant to this part or that is otherwise listed as the owner of an education investment trust account; (2) "Beneficiary," for the purposes of the educational investment plan, means an individual designated by the account owner and who meets the requirements of the code. For the purposes of the educational services plan, "beneficiary" means an individual designated under a tuition contract as the individual entitled to apply tuition units purchased under the contract to the payment of that individual's undergraduate, graduate and professional tuition, and other educational costs. For purposes of the educational services plan, the beneficiary or the purchaser shall have been a resident of this state at the time the contract was entered into by the purchaser and the board; (3) "Board" means the board of trustees of the college savings trust fund program described in this part; (4) "Code" means § 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ( 26 U.S.C. § 529 ), as amended and all rules, regulations, notices and interpretations released by the United States treasury, including the internal revenue service; (5) "Contributor" means one (1) or more individuals, associations, corporations, trusts, charitable organizations, or other such entities that contributes money or makes a payment to an educational investment trust account established pursuant to this part; (6) "Educational investment plan" means a plan that permits an account owner to establish an educational investment trust account and one (1) or more contributors to make contributions to an educational investment trust account that is intended to be applied to an account beneficiary's qualified higher education expenses; (7) "Educational investment trust account" means an account that is established by an account owner intended to be applied to an account beneficiary's qualified higher education expenses; (8) "Educational services plan" means a plan that permits individuals, associations, corporations, trusts or other organized entities to purchase a tuition unit or units under a tuition contract entered into between a purchaser and the board on behalf of a designated beneficiary that entitles the beneficiary to apply such units to the payment of that beneficiary's undergraduate, graduate and professional tuition, and other educational costs; (9) "Eligible educational institution" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the rules promulgated thereunder, or other applicable federal law; (10) "Other educational costs" mean such other fees or expenses as may be determined by the board; provided, that the fees or expenses are included in the definition of qualified higher education expenses under the sections of the Internal Revenue Code that are applicable to the program; (11) "Program" means the college savings trust fund program created in this part. The program may be comprised of two (2) types of qualified tuition plans as defined by the code, including one (1) or more educational investment plan or plans, which may consist of several different investment offerings or one (1) or more educational services plan or plans. Except as otherwise provided, all terms, conditions and limitations shall apply equally to both types of qualified tuition plans; (12) "Purchaser" means an individual, association, corporation, trust, charitable organization or other such entity that enters into a tuition contract under this part for the purchase of a tuition unit or units on behalf of a beneficiary relative to the educational services plan; (13) "Qualified higher education expenses" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the rules promulgated thereunder, or other applicable federal law; (14) "Redemption value" means the cash value of the educational investment trust account attributable to the sum of the principal invested, the interest earned or losses incurred in the principal, less any fees imposed by rule of the board; (15) "Refund recipient" means the person designated in a tuition contract by the purchaser as the person entitled to terminate the tuition contract and to receive refunds arising out of the contract pursuant to § 49-7-811 ; (16) "State institution of higher education" means the colleges, universities, or branches or units of colleges or universities under the control and direction of either the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee or the board of regents of the state university and community college system; (17) "Trust fund" means the educational investment trust fund or the educational services trust fund established pursuant to § 49-7-812 ; (18) "Tuition" means the charges imposed to attend an institution of higher education as an undergraduate, graduate or professional student and all fees required as a condition of enrollment as determined by the board. "Tuition" does not include fees charged to out-of-state residents by institutions of higher education, laboratory fees, room and board or other similar fees and charges; (19) "Tuition contract" means a contract entered into under this part by the board and a purchaser to provide for the payment of tuition and other educational costs, through either the educational savings plan or the educational services plan; (20) "Tuition unit" means a unit of the educational services plan purchased under § 49-7-807 on behalf of a beneficiary; and (21) "Weighted average tuition" means the tuition cost resulting from the following calculation: (A) Add the products of the annual undergraduate tuition at each Tennessee four-year public university multiplied by that institution's total number of undergraduate full-time equivalent students; and (B) Divide the gross total of the products from subdivision (21)(A) by the total number of undergraduate full-time equivalent students attending Tennessee's four-year public universities. Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 400, s 7, eff. 7/1/2017. Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 400, s 6, eff. 7/1/2017. Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 910, Secs.s 1, s 2, s 3, s 4, s 5, s 6 eff. 5/13/2014. Acts 1995, ch. 388, § 1; T.C.A., § 49-7-804 ; Acts 1996, ch. 991, § 1; 1997 , ch. 163, § 1; 1998, ch. 644, §§ 1 - 3; 1999, ch. 233, §§ 1 - 6; 2001, ch. 203, §§ 1 - 5.
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Account owner" means an individual, association, corporation, trust, charitable organization, or other such entity that establishes an educational investment trust account pursuant to this part or that is otherwise listed as the owner of an education investment trust account;
(2) "Beneficiary," for the purposes of the educational investment plan, means an individual designated by the account owner and who meets the requirements of the code. For the purposes of the educational services plan, "beneficiary" means an individual designated under a tuition contract as the individual entitled to apply tuition units purchased under the contract to the payment of that individual's undergraduate, graduate and professional tuition, and other educational costs. For purposes of the educational services plan, the beneficiary or the purchaser shall have been a resident of this state at the time the contract was entered into by the purchaser and the board;
(3) "Board" means the board of trustees of the college savings trust fund program described in this part;
(4) "Code" means § 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ( 26 U.S.C. § 529 ), as amended and all rules, regulations, notices and interpretations released by the United States treasury, including the internal revenue service;
(5) "Contributor" means one (1) or more individuals, associations, corporations, trusts, charitable organizations, or other such entities that contributes money or makes a payment to an educational investment trust account established pursuant to this part;
(6) "Educational investment plan" means a plan that permits an account owner to establish an educational investment trust account and one (1) or more contributors to make contributions to an educational investment trust account that is intended to be applied to an account beneficiary's qualified higher education expenses;
(7) "Educational investment trust account" means an account that is established by an account owner intended to be applied to an account beneficiary's qualified higher education expenses;
(8) "Educational services plan" means a plan that permits individuals, associations, corporations, trusts or other organized entities to purchase a tuition unit or units under a tuition contract entered into between a purchaser and the board on behalf of a designated beneficiary that entitles the beneficiary to apply such units to the payment of that beneficiary's undergraduate, graduate and professional tuition, and other educational costs;
(9) "Eligible educational institution" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the rules promulgated thereunder, or other applicable federal law;
(10) "Other educational costs" mean such other fees or expenses as may be determined by the board; provided, that the fees or expenses are included in the definition of qualified higher education expenses under the sections of the Internal Revenue Code that are applicable to the program;
(11) "Program" means the college savings trust fund program created in this part. The program may be comprised of two (2) types of qualified tuition plans as defined by the code, including one (1) or more educational investment plan or plans, which may consist of several different investment offerings or one (1) or more educational services plan or plans. Except as otherwise provided, all terms, conditions and limitations shall apply equally to both types of qualified tuition plans;
(12) "Purchaser" means an individual, association, corporation, trust, charitable organization or other such entity that enters into a tuition contract under this part for the purchase of a tuition unit or units on behalf of a beneficiary relative to the educational services plan;
(13) "Qualified higher education expenses" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the rules promulgated thereunder, or other applicable federal law;
(14) "Redemption value" means the cash value of the educational investment trust account attributable to the sum of the principal invested, the interest earned or losses incurred in the principal, less any fees imposed by rule of the board;
(15) "Refund recipient" means the person designated in a tuition contract by the purchaser as the person entitled to terminate the tuition contract and to receive refunds arising out of the contract pursuant to § 49-7-811 ;
(16) "State institution of higher education" means the colleges, universities, or branches or units of colleges or universities under the control and direction of either the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee or the board of regents of the state university and community college system;
(17) "Trust fund" means the educational investment trust fund or the educational services trust fund established pursuant to § 49-7-812 ;
(18) "Tuition" means the charges imposed to attend an institution of higher education as an undergraduate, graduate or professional student and all fees required as a condition of enrollment as determined by the board. "Tuition" does not include fees charged to out-of-state residents by institutions of higher education, laboratory fees, room and board or other similar fees and charges;
(19) "Tuition contract" means a contract entered into under this part by the board and a purchaser to provide for the payment of tuition and other educational costs, through either the educational savings plan or the educational services plan;
(20) "Tuition unit" means a unit of the educational services plan purchased under § 49-7-807 on behalf of a beneficiary; and
(21) "Weighted average tuition" means the tuition cost resulting from the following calculation: (A) Add the products of the annual undergraduate tuition at each Tennessee four-year public university multiplied by that institution's total number of undergraduate full-time equivalent students; and (B) Divide the gross total of the products from subdivision (21)(A) by the total number of undergraduate full-time equivalent students attending Tennessee's four-year public universities.
(A) Add the products of the annual undergraduate tuition at each Tennessee four-year public university multiplied by that institution's total number of undergraduate full-time equivalent students; and
(B) Divide the gross total of the products from subdivision (21)(A) by the total number of undergraduate full-time equivalent students attending Tennessee's four-year public universities.
Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 400, s 7, eff. 7/1/2017.
Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 400, s 6, eff. 7/1/2017.
Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 910, Secs.s 1, s 2, s 3, s 4, s 5, s 6 eff. 5/13/2014.
Acts 1995, ch. 388, § 1; T.C.A., § 49-7-804 ; Acts 1996, ch. 991, § 1; 1997 , ch. 163, § 1; 1998, ch. 644, §§ 1 - 3; 1999, ch. 233, §§ 1 - 6; 2001, ch. 203, §§ 1 - 5.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-127 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 49-7-127
Section definitions - Group purchasing program
Status: in_force

(a) For purposes of this section: (1) "Governing board" means, as appropriate, either the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee or the board of regents of the state university and community college system; (2) "Group purchasing program" means any plan, program or method that is intended to provide the opportunity for institutions of higher education to obtain goods or services at a discount or savings not otherwise available through the purchasing practices of the institutions; (3) "Institutions of higher education" and "institutions" mean the University of Tennessee, the state university and community college system and the constituent schools, colleges, universities and centers of each; and (4) "Services" means those routine, nonprofessional services otherwise purchased by the state pursuant to title 12, chapter 3. "Services" does not mean those services procured pursuant to [former] § 12-4-109 [See the Compiler's Notes]. (b) Notwithstanding any other the law, institutions of higher education may make purchases of goods and services through a group purchasing program; provided, that: (1) (A) Any contract with a group purchasing program is not an exclusive contract, permits purchasing from other lawful sources and by other lawful means and does not require payment or compensation by the governing board or institution to the group purchasing program; (B) For purposes of this section, membership in and the payment of reasonable dues to a not-for-profit buying cooperative shall not be considered as a payment or compensation and shall not be construed as prohibiting an institution of higher education from making purchases of goods and services through a group purchasing program; (2) The supplier contracts within the group purchasing program result from a competitive process and represent the most competitive supplier bids or proposals, considering price, quality and service for the goods or services to be purchased; (3) The group purchasing program certifies to the governing board that it uses effective competitive procedures to obtain quotations or contracts for goods or services to be purchased by institutions of higher education, so as to obtain the most competitive bid or proposal available to the group purchasing program for the goods or services made available for purchase and the procedures and prices resulting from the purchases are capable of being audited by the institutions; (4) The officials responsible for administering the purchasing function at the University of Tennessee or the board of regents of the state university and community college system shall provide annually a summary and evaluation report of the results of the purchases made utilizing a group purchasing program to the comptroller of the treasury and the commissioner of general services by October 1 of each year with regard to purchases made in the preceding fiscal years; and (5) The price quotation or contracts for goods or services under the group purchasing program is lower than the price available on state contracts in the department of general services. (c) This section shall be construed as authority supplemental to purchasing authority provided under any other public or private act. In the event of conflict between this section and any other public or private act, this section shall prevail. (d) The comptroller of the treasury is directed to report to the general assembly on the success or failure of group purchasing programs authorized by this section eighteen (18) months after the implementation of a group purchasing program by institutions of higher education. The comptroller's report shall analyze the costs incurred, if any, in implementing the programs, calculate the savings, if any, attributable to the programs and suggest any modifications that are deemed advisable to the programs. (e) Any institutions of higher education that have entered group purchasing arrangements under title 68, chapter 11, part 12 shall not be precluded from continuing the arrangements. Acts 2003 , ch. 232, § 1; 2006, ch. 780, § 1.
(a) For purposes of this section: (1) "Governing board" means, as appropriate, either the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee or the board of regents of the state university and community college system; (2) "Group purchasing program" means any plan, program or method that is intended to provide the opportunity for institutions of higher education to obtain goods or services at a discount or savings not otherwise available through the purchasing practices of the institutions; (3) "Institutions of higher education" and "institutions" mean the University of Tennessee, the state university and community college system and the constituent schools, colleges, universities and centers of each; and (4) "Services" means those routine, nonprofessional services otherwise purchased by the state pursuant to title 12, chapter 3. "Services" does not mean those services procured pursuant to [former] § 12-4-109 [See the Compiler's Notes].
(1) "Governing board" means, as appropriate, either the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee or the board of regents of the state university and community college system;
(2) "Group purchasing program" means any plan, program or method that is intended to provide the opportunity for institutions of higher education to obtain goods or services at a discount or savings not otherwise available through the purchasing practices of the institutions;
(3) "Institutions of higher education" and "institutions" mean the University of Tennessee, the state university and community college system and the constituent schools, colleges, universities and centers of each; and
(4) "Services" means those routine, nonprofessional services otherwise purchased by the state pursuant to title 12, chapter 3. "Services" does not mean those services procured pursuant to [former] § 12-4-109 [See the Compiler's Notes].
(b) Notwithstanding any other the law, institutions of higher education may make purchases of goods and services through a group purchasing program; provided, that: (1) (A) Any contract with a group purchasing program is not an exclusive contract, permits purchasing from other lawful sources and by other lawful means and does not require payment or compensation by the governing board or institution to the group purchasing program; (B) For purposes of this section, membership in and the payment of reasonable dues to a not-for-profit buying cooperative shall not be considered as a payment or compensation and shall not be construed as prohibiting an institution of higher education from making purchases of goods and services through a group purchasing program; (2) The supplier contracts within the group purchasing program result from a competitive process and represent the most competitive supplier bids or proposals, considering price, quality and service for the goods or services to be purchased; (3) The group purchasing program certifies to the governing board that it uses effective competitive procedures to obtain quotations or contracts for goods or services to be purchased by institutions of higher education, so as to obtain the most competitive bid or proposal available to the group purchasing program for the goods or services made available for purchase and the procedures and prices resulting from the purchases are capable of being audited by the institutions; (4) The officials responsible for administering the purchasing function at the University of Tennessee or the board of regents of the state university and community college system shall provide annually a summary and evaluation report of the results of the purchases made utilizing a group purchasing program to the comptroller of the treasury and the commissioner of general services by October 1 of each year with regard to purchases made in the preceding fiscal years; and (5) The price quotation or contracts for goods or services under the group purchasing program is lower than the price available on state contracts in the department of general services.
(1) (A) Any contract with a group purchasing program is not an exclusive contract, permits purchasing from other lawful sources and by other lawful means and does not require payment or compensation by the governing board or institution to the group purchasing program; (B) For purposes of this section, membership in and the payment of reasonable dues to a not-for-profit buying cooperative shall not be considered as a payment or compensation and shall not be construed as prohibiting an institution of higher education from making purchases of goods and services through a group purchasing program;
(A) Any contract with a group purchasing program is not an exclusive contract, permits purchasing from other lawful sources and by other lawful means and does not require payment or compensation by the governing board or institution to the group purchasing program;
(B) For purposes of this section, membership in and the payment of reasonable dues to a not-for-profit buying cooperative shall not be considered as a payment or compensation and shall not be construed as prohibiting an institution of higher education from making purchases of goods and services through a group purchasing program;
(2) The supplier contracts within the group purchasing program result from a competitive process and represent the most competitive supplier bids or proposals, considering price, quality and service for the goods or services to be purchased;
(3) The group purchasing program certifies to the governing board that it uses effective competitive procedures to obtain quotations or contracts for goods or services to be purchased by institutions of higher education, so as to obtain the most competitive bid or proposal available to the group purchasing program for the goods or services made available for purchase and the procedures and prices resulting from the purchases are capable of being audited by the institutions;
(4) The officials responsible for administering the purchasing function at the University of Tennessee or the board of regents of the state university and community college system shall provide annually a summary and evaluation report of the results of the purchases made utilizing a group purchasing program to the comptroller of the treasury and the commissioner of general services by October 1 of each year with regard to purchases made in the preceding fiscal years; and
(5) The price quotation or contracts for goods or services under the group purchasing program is lower than the price available on state contracts in the department of general services.
(c) This section shall be construed as authority supplemental to purchasing authority provided under any other public or private act. In the event of conflict between this section and any other public or private act, this section shall prevail.
(d) The comptroller of the treasury is directed to report to the general assembly on the success or failure of group purchasing programs authorized by this section eighteen (18) months after the implementation of a group purchasing program by institutions of higher education. The comptroller's report shall analyze the costs incurred, if any, in implementing the programs, calculate the savings, if any, attributable to the programs and suggest any modifications that are deemed advisable to the programs.
(e) Any institutions of higher education that have entered group purchasing arrangements under title 68, chapter 11, part 12 shall not be precluded from continuing the arrangements.
Acts 2003 , ch. 232, § 1; 2006, ch. 780, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-1262 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 49-2-1262
Multi-county consolidated school systems - Funding bonus
Status: in_force

To aid in the offset of the expenses incurred in the consolidation process, the state shall supplement combining systems with a five percent (5%) funding bonus for the first five (5) years of the existence of the combined system. This five percent (5%) bonus shall be over and above the funds received from the state under this title. Funds distributed under this title for administrative purposes shall continue to be distributed as if each school system were still a separate entity. Acts 1992, ch. 535, § 73.
To aid in the offset of the expenses incurred in the consolidation process, the state shall supplement combining systems with a five percent (5%) funding bonus for the first five (5) years of the existence of the combined system. This five percent (5%) bonus shall be over and above the funds received from the state under this title. Funds distributed under this title for administrative purposes shall continue to be distributed as if each school system were still a separate entity.
Acts 1992, ch. 535, § 73.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-1402 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 49-10-1402
Part definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Department" means the department of education; (2) "Eligible postsecondary institution" means a community college or university of the University of Tennessee system or the board of regents system or an accredited private postsecondary institution; (3) "Eligible student" means a resident of this state who: (A) Is a child with any of the following disabilities as defined by the state board of education pursuant to § 49-10-102 : (i) Autism; (ii) Deaf-blindness; (iii) Hearing impairments; (iv) Intellectual disability; (v) Orthopedic impairments; (vi) Traumatic brain injury; (vii) Visual impairments; (viii) Developmental delay; (ix) Multiple disabilities; or (x) A specific learning disability; (B) Has an active individualized education program (IEP) in accordance with 34 C.F.R. § 300 et seq., § 49-10-102 , and regulations of the state board of education with one (1) of the disabilities pursuant to subdivision (3)(A) as the primary or secondary disability in effect at the time the department receives the request for participation in the program; and (C) Meets at least one (1) of the following requirements: (i) Was previously enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for the one (1) full school year immediately preceding the school year in which the student receives an individualized education account (IEA); (ii) Is enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time; or (iii) Received an individualized education account (IEA) in the previous school year; (4) "IEA" means an individualized education account; (5) "Parent" means the parent, legal guardian, person who has custody of the child, or person with caregiving authority for the child; (6) "Participating school" means a nonpublic school that meets the requirements established in this part and seeks to enroll eligible students; (7) "Participating student" means an eligible student whose parent is participating in the individualized education account (IEA) program; and (8) "Program" means the individualized education account (IEA) program created in this part. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1019, s 1, eff. 5/11/2022. Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 305, Secs.s 1, s 2, s 3 eff. 5/5/2017. Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 620, s 1, eff. 3/22/2016. Added by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 431, s 3, eff. 1/1/2016.
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Department" means the department of education;
(2) "Eligible postsecondary institution" means a community college or university of the University of Tennessee system or the board of regents system or an accredited private postsecondary institution;
(3) "Eligible student" means a resident of this state who: (A) Is a child with any of the following disabilities as defined by the state board of education pursuant to § 49-10-102 : (i) Autism; (ii) Deaf-blindness; (iii) Hearing impairments; (iv) Intellectual disability; (v) Orthopedic impairments; (vi) Traumatic brain injury; (vii) Visual impairments; (viii) Developmental delay; (ix) Multiple disabilities; or (x) A specific learning disability; (B) Has an active individualized education program (IEP) in accordance with 34 C.F.R. § 300 et seq., § 49-10-102 , and regulations of the state board of education with one (1) of the disabilities pursuant to subdivision (3)(A) as the primary or secondary disability in effect at the time the department receives the request for participation in the program; and (C) Meets at least one (1) of the following requirements: (i) Was previously enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for the one (1) full school year immediately preceding the school year in which the student receives an individualized education account (IEA); (ii) Is enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time; or (iii) Received an individualized education account (IEA) in the previous school year;
(A) Is a child with any of the following disabilities as defined by the state board of education pursuant to § 49-10-102 : (i) Autism; (ii) Deaf-blindness; (iii) Hearing impairments; (iv) Intellectual disability; (v) Orthopedic impairments; (vi) Traumatic brain injury; (vii) Visual impairments; (viii) Developmental delay; (ix) Multiple disabilities; or (x) A specific learning disability;
(i) Autism;
(ii) Deaf-blindness;
(iii) Hearing impairments;
(iv) Intellectual disability;
(v) Orthopedic impairments;
(vi) Traumatic brain injury;
(vii) Visual impairments;
(viii) Developmental delay;
(ix) Multiple disabilities; or
(x) A specific learning disability;
(B) Has an active individualized education program (IEP) in accordance with 34 C.F.R. § 300 et seq., § 49-10-102 , and regulations of the state board of education with one (1) of the disabilities pursuant to subdivision (3)(A) as the primary or secondary disability in effect at the time the department receives the request for participation in the program; and
(C) Meets at least one (1) of the following requirements: (i) Was previously enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for the one (1) full school year immediately preceding the school year in which the student receives an individualized education account (IEA); (ii) Is enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time; or (iii) Received an individualized education account (IEA) in the previous school year;
(i) Was previously enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for the one (1) full school year immediately preceding the school year in which the student receives an individualized education account (IEA);
(ii) Is enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time; or
(iii) Received an individualized education account (IEA) in the previous school year;
(4) "IEA" means an individualized education account;
(5) "Parent" means the parent, legal guardian, person who has custody of the child, or person with caregiving authority for the child;
(6) "Participating school" means a nonpublic school that meets the requirements established in this part and seeks to enroll eligible students;
(7) "Participating student" means an eligible student whose parent is participating in the individualized education account (IEA) program; and
(8) "Program" means the individualized education account (IEA) program created in this part.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1019, s 1, eff. 5/11/2022.
Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 305, Secs.s 1, s 2, s 3 eff. 5/5/2017.
Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 620, s 1, eff. 3/22/2016.
Added by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 431, s 3, eff. 1/1/2016.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-813 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-813
County and municipal appropriations
Status: in_force

The legislative body of any county or municipality may appropriate funds for the purpose of providing resources for district-wide school safety plans, building-level school safety plans and district-wide school safety teams. Federal, state and local funds designated for such purposes may be used to provide funds for the purpose of providing resources for district-wide school safety plans, building-level school safety plans and district-wide school safety teams. Acts 2007, ch. 548, § 14.
The legislative body of any county or municipality may appropriate funds for the purpose of providing resources for district-wide school safety plans, building-level school safety plans and district-wide school safety teams. Federal, state and local funds designated for such purposes may be used to provide funds for the purpose of providing resources for district-wide school safety plans, building-level school safety plans and district-wide school safety teams.
Acts 2007, ch. 548, § 14.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-8-105 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 49-8-105
Training schools for practice teachers
Status: in_force

(a) Any state college or university under the direction of the board of regents or a state university board is authorized to maintain a training school for grades pre-kindergarten through twelve (pre-K-12), or any combination of grades pre-kindergarten through twelve (pre-K-12), for the purpose of providing practice teaching experience for teachers in training, and the students enrolled in the school shall be taught the same course of study as prescribed by the state board of education for the public school system in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve (pre-K-12), or the grades appropriate for the particular school. (b) Each institution, acting through its governing board, may contract with a local board of education to provide the teaching of the children of public school age in the training school, whereby the training school shall receive all state and federal funds received by the local board of education as a result of this contract for the operation of the training school, including TISA allocations and any other funds that may be allocated for the operation of public schools of this state. The governing body for a public university that is approved by the department of education to operate an innovative school district pursuant to part 15 of this chapter is not required to have a contract with a local school board in order to operate a training school that is part of the innovative school district. Training schools are eligible to receive grants and other funds in the same manner as the public schools in this state. The control of the school is wholly under the direction of the respective institution. (c) It shall not be mandatory for a state college or university subject to this chapter to maintain a training school; provided, that arrangements can be established and approved by the board of regents or state university board by which practice teaching experience can be provided in the county and city school systems of the state. (d) In the event the training school does not maintain a school for grades pre-kindergarten through twelve (pre-K-12), the contract between the board of regents or state university board and the county or city board of education shall direct the allocation of funds between the local boards of education and the training school, as the parties determine will best achieve the objective of providing practice teaching for teachers in training. (e) Notwithstanding chapter 2, part 5 of this title, § 49-2-140 , or another law to the contrary, an institution that maintains a training school authorized by this part, and that is approved by the department of education to operate an innovative school district under § 49-8-1503 , may receive public funds for the operation of the training school. The commissioner of education shall ensure that a training school that is operated by an innovative school district receives all state, local, and federal funds that would otherwise be received by the local board of education for the operation of the training school, including TISA allocations and any other funds that may be allocated for the operation of public schools of this state. School funds collected by the county for current operation and maintenance purposes must be apportioned by the county trustee to the innovative school district in the same manner as school funds are apportioned to other LEAs in the county. Training schools that are operated by innovative school districts are eligible to receive grants and other funds in the same manner as the public schools in this state. If a training school transitions from being operated pursuant to a contract between an LEA and a state college or university to being operated as part of an innovative school district pursuant to part 15 of this chapter, then the LEA shall, for the first school year that the training school is operated as part of the innovative school district, provide the governing body for a public university that operates the innovative school district with the same level of support for the operation of the training school as the LEA provided to the state college or university under the contract. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1053,s 3, eff. 5/28/2024, app. to the 2024-2025 school year and each school year thereafter. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1053,s 2, eff. 5/28/2024, app. to the 2024-2025 school year and each school year thereafter. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 435, s 2, eff. 5/11/2023. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 760, s 1, eff. 3/31/2022. Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 869, s 7, eff. 7/1/2016. Acts 1925, ch. 115, § 16; Shan. Supp. § 1487a109; Code 1932, § 2401; Acts 1961, ch. 58, § 1; Acts 1973, ch. 144, § 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 49-3204.
(a) Any state college or university under the direction of the board of regents or a state university board is authorized to maintain a training school for grades pre-kindergarten through twelve (pre-K-12), or any combination of grades pre-kindergarten through twelve (pre-K-12), for the purpose of providing practice teaching experience for teachers in training, and the students enrolled in the school shall be taught the same course of study as prescribed by the state board of education for the public school system in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve (pre-K-12), or the grades appropriate for the particular school.
(b) Each institution, acting through its governing board, may contract with a local board of education to provide the teaching of the children of public school age in the training school, whereby the training school shall receive all state and federal funds received by the local board of education as a result of this contract for the operation of the training school, including TISA allocations and any other funds that may be allocated for the operation of public schools of this state. The governing body for a public university that is approved by the department of education to operate an innovative school district pursuant to part 15 of this chapter is not required to have a contract with a local school board in order to operate a training school that is part of the innovative school district. Training schools are eligible to receive grants and other funds in the same manner as the public schools in this state. The control of the school is wholly under the direction of the respective institution.
(c) It shall not be mandatory for a state college or university subject to this chapter to maintain a training school; provided, that arrangements can be established and approved by the board of regents or state university board by which practice teaching experience can be provided in the county and city school systems of the state.
(d) In the event the training school does not maintain a school for grades pre-kindergarten through twelve (pre-K-12), the contract between the board of regents or state university board and the county or city board of education shall direct the allocation of funds between the local boards of education and the training school, as the parties determine will best achieve the objective of providing practice teaching for teachers in training.
(e) Notwithstanding chapter 2, part 5 of this title, § 49-2-140 , or another law to the contrary, an institution that maintains a training school authorized by this part, and that is approved by the department of education to operate an innovative school district under § 49-8-1503 , may receive public funds for the operation of the training school. The commissioner of education shall ensure that a training school that is operated by an innovative school district receives all state, local, and federal funds that would otherwise be received by the local board of education for the operation of the training school, including TISA allocations and any other funds that may be allocated for the operation of public schools of this state. School funds collected by the county for current operation and maintenance purposes must be apportioned by the county trustee to the innovative school district in the same manner as school funds are apportioned to other LEAs in the county. Training schools that are operated by innovative school districts are eligible to receive grants and other funds in the same manner as the public schools in this state. If a training school transitions from being operated pursuant to a contract between an LEA and a state college or university to being operated as part of an innovative school district pursuant to part 15 of this chapter, then the LEA shall, for the first school year that the training school is operated as part of the innovative school district, provide the governing body for a public university that operates the innovative school district with the same level of support for the operation of the training school as the LEA provided to the state college or university under the contract.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1053,s 3, eff. 5/28/2024, app. to the 2024-2025 school year and each school year thereafter.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1053,s 2, eff. 5/28/2024, app. to the 2024-2025 school year and each school year thereafter.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 435, s 2, eff. 5/11/2023.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 760, s 1, eff. 3/31/2022.
Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 869, s 7, eff. 7/1/2016.
Acts 1925, ch. 115, § 16; Shan. Supp. § 1487a109; Code 1932, § 2401; Acts 1961, ch. 58, § 1; Acts 1973, ch. 144, § 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 49-3204.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-13-105 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 49-13-105
Public charter school commission
Status: in_force

(a) There is established the Tennessee public charter school commission as an independent state entity for the purpose of serving as an appellate public charter school authorizer and the LEA for any public charter school it authorizes. Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, the commission has the authority to authorize public charter schools on appeal of a local board of education's decision to deny a public charter school application. A public charter school that is authorized by the commission must operate within the geographic boundaries of the local board of education that denied approval of the initial public charter school application. The commission may adopt policies and procedures for the commission and the commission's authorized public charter schools. (b) (1) (A) The commission must be composed of nine (9) members appointed by the governor. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (b), the nine (9) members of the commission must be confirmed by joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives prior to beginning a term of office. (B) If either house fails to confirm the appointment of a board member by the governor within ninety (90) calendar days after the general assembly next convenes in regular session following the appointment, then the appointment terminates on the day following the ninetieth calendar day. (2) If the general assembly is not in session when initial appointments are made, then all initial appointees shall serve the terms prescribed pursuant to this section, unless the initial appointments are not confirmed during the next regular session of the general assembly in accordance with subdivision (b)(1). (3) If the general assembly is not in session at the time a member is appointed to fill a vacancy, then the new appointee serves for the term appointed unless the appointment is not confirmed during the next regular session of the general assembly in accordance with subdivision (b)(1). (4) All members shall be subject to removal from the commission by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of each house of the general assembly for misconduct, incapacity, or neglect of duty. Removal must be by passage of a joint resolution by the senate and the house of representatives. (c) (1) In making appointments, the governor shall strive to ensure that the commission members collectively possess experience and expertise in charter schools or charter school authorizing, public and nonprofit governance, finance, law, and school or school district leadership. (2) A majority of the commission members must reside within the geographic boundary of an LEA in which at least one (1) public charter school operates. (3) There must be at least three (3) members from each grand division serving on the commission. (d) The terms for all initial members begin on July 1, 2019. The terms of the initial nine (9) appointments shall be three (3) years for three (3) members, four (4) years for three (3) members, and five (5) years for three (3) members, as designated by the governor in the governor's initial appointments. As the terms for the initial members expire, successors shall be appointed for five-year terms. (e) Each member of the commission shall: (1) Review public charter school applications, hear appeals, and carry out the member's duties in a fair and impartial manner; and (2) Before beginning a term of office, sign a conflict of interest agreement in which the member agrees to carry out the member's duties in compliance with subdivision (e)(1). (f) (1) The commission has the power to declare a commission member's position vacant if a commission member fails, without cause, to attend more than fifty percent (50%) of the commission's regular meetings in a calendar year. The commission shall determine cause for purposes of this subdivision (f)(1). (2) (A) Whenever a vacancy on the commission exists, the governor shall appoint a member for the remainder of the unexpired term. A member appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy on the commission is subject to confirmation by the general assembly pursuant to subsection (b). (B) A member of the commission shall not vote on any matter that involves an LEA or public charter school of which the member is an employee of the local board of education or the governing body. (g) The commission shall meet at least quarterly. The chair may call special meetings whenever necessary for the transaction of urgent business. The chair shall notify each member of the commission of any special meeting at least five (5) days before the time fixed for the special meeting. A majority of the commission may petition the chair to call a special meeting, in which case the chair shall call a special meeting. (h) A majority of the commission members entitled to vote is required to transact business coming before the commission. The commission shall pass a resolution memorializing the commission's approval or denial of each application that the commission considers. The commission shall comply with the open meetings law, compiled in title 8, chapter 44, and open records law, compiled in title 10, chapter 7. (i) The chair and vice chair are officers of the commission and must be elected by the members of the commission for a term of three (3) years or for the remainder of the respective chair's or vice chair's term on the commission, whichever is earlier. Officers may be reelected. (j) A commission member shall not receive compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of official duties in accordance with the state comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the commissioner of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter. (k) (1) The commission shall employ a director of schools who has the same duties and powers granted to directors of schools in § 49-2-301 , consistent with this chapter. An employee or official of any department, agency, or board of this state shall not serve as a director of schools. The director of schools shall be responsible solely to the commission. (2) Additional personnel hired by the director of schools shall be subject to personnel regulations and policies that apply to state employees, such as leave, compensation, classification, and travel regulations. The director of schools has the sole authority to appoint, terminate, and control personnel as provided in this section. The personnel of the commission shall not have state service status. (l) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commission shall, at a minimum, have the same authority and autonomy afforded to LEAs under state law regarding the procurement of goods and services, including, but not limited to, personal, professional, consulting, and social services. The commission shall develop written procedures for the procurement of all goods and services in compliance with the expenditure thresholds for competitive bidding outlined or permitted in § 49-2-203 . (m) The commission may promulgate rules and regulations that are solely necessary for the administrative operation and functions of the commission. The commission's rulemaking authority shall not supersede the state board of education's rulemaking authority and may only be exercised in performance of the commission's administrative responsibilities. The rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. (n) Commission meetings shall be made available for public viewing over the internet by streaming video accessible on the commission's website. Archived videos of the commission's meetings shall also be available to the public through the commission's website. (o) The following individuals are prohibited from serving as a member of the commission for so long as they hold the office or position: (1) Elected officials; and (2) State employees. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 219, s 7, eff. 4/26/2019. Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 850, s 3, eff. 4/30/2014. Acts 2002, ch. 850, § 5.
(a) There is established the Tennessee public charter school commission as an independent state entity for the purpose of serving as an appellate public charter school authorizer and the LEA for any public charter school it authorizes. Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, the commission has the authority to authorize public charter schools on appeal of a local board of education's decision to deny a public charter school application. A public charter school that is authorized by the commission must operate within the geographic boundaries of the local board of education that denied approval of the initial public charter school application. The commission may adopt policies and procedures for the commission and the commission's authorized public charter schools.
(b) (1) (A) The commission must be composed of nine (9) members appointed by the governor. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (b), the nine (9) members of the commission must be confirmed by joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives prior to beginning a term of office. (B) If either house fails to confirm the appointment of a board member by the governor within ninety (90) calendar days after the general assembly next convenes in regular session following the appointment, then the appointment terminates on the day following the ninetieth calendar day. (2) If the general assembly is not in session when initial appointments are made, then all initial appointees shall serve the terms prescribed pursuant to this section, unless the initial appointments are not confirmed during the next regular session of the general assembly in accordance with subdivision (b)(1). (3) If the general assembly is not in session at the time a member is appointed to fill a vacancy, then the new appointee serves for the term appointed unless the appointment is not confirmed during the next regular session of the general assembly in accordance with subdivision (b)(1). (4) All members shall be subject to removal from the commission by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of each house of the general assembly for misconduct, incapacity, or neglect of duty. Removal must be by passage of a joint resolution by the senate and the house of representatives.
(1) (A) The commission must be composed of nine (9) members appointed by the governor. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (b), the nine (9) members of the commission must be confirmed by joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives prior to beginning a term of office. (B) If either house fails to confirm the appointment of a board member by the governor within ninety (90) calendar days after the general assembly next convenes in regular session following the appointment, then the appointment terminates on the day following the ninetieth calendar day.
(A) The commission must be composed of nine (9) members appointed by the governor. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (b), the nine (9) members of the commission must be confirmed by joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives prior to beginning a term of office.
(B) If either house fails to confirm the appointment of a board member by the governor within ninety (90) calendar days after the general assembly next convenes in regular session following the appointment, then the appointment terminates on the day following the ninetieth calendar day.
(2) If the general assembly is not in session when initial appointments are made, then all initial appointees shall serve the terms prescribed pursuant to this section, unless the initial appointments are not confirmed during the next regular session of the general assembly in accordance with subdivision (b)(1).
(3) If the general assembly is not in session at the time a member is appointed to fill a vacancy, then the new appointee serves for the term appointed unless the appointment is not confirmed during the next regular session of the general assembly in accordance with subdivision (b)(1).
(4) All members shall be subject to removal from the commission by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of each house of the general assembly for misconduct, incapacity, or neglect of duty. Removal must be by passage of a joint resolution by the senate and the house of representatives.
(c) (1) In making appointments, the governor shall strive to ensure that the commission members collectively possess experience and expertise in charter schools or charter school authorizing, public and nonprofit governance, finance, law, and school or school district leadership. (2) A majority of the commission members must reside within the geographic boundary of an LEA in which at least one (1) public charter school operates. (3) There must be at least three (3) members from each grand division serving on the commission.
(1) In making appointments, the governor shall strive to ensure that the commission members collectively possess experience and expertise in charter schools or charter school authorizing, public and nonprofit governance, finance, law, and school or school district leadership.
(2) A majority of the commission members must reside within the geographic boundary of an LEA in which at least one (1) public charter school operates.
(3) There must be at least three (3) members from each grand division serving on the commission.
(d) The terms for all initial members begin on July 1, 2019. The terms of the initial nine (9) appointments shall be three (3) years for three (3) members, four (4) years for three (3) members, and five (5) years for three (3) members, as designated by the governor in the governor's initial appointments. As the terms for the initial members expire, successors shall be appointed for five-year terms.
(e) Each member of the commission shall: (1) Review public charter school applications, hear appeals, and carry out the member's duties in a fair and impartial manner; and (2) Before beginning a term of office, sign a conflict of interest agreement in which the member agrees to carry out the member's duties in compliance with subdivision (e)(1).
(1) Review public charter school applications, hear appeals, and carry out the member's duties in a fair and impartial manner; and
(2) Before beginning a term of office, sign a conflict of interest agreement in which the member agrees to carry out the member's duties in compliance with subdivision (e)(1).
(f) (1) The commission has the power to declare a commission member's position vacant if a commission member fails, without cause, to attend more than fifty percent (50%) of the commission's regular meetings in a calendar year. The commission shall determine cause for purposes of this subdivision (f)(1). (2) (A) Whenever a vacancy on the commission exists, the governor shall appoint a member for the remainder of the unexpired term. A member appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy on the commission is subject to confirmation by the general assembly pursuant to subsection (b). (B) A member of the commission shall not vote on any matter that involves an LEA or public charter school of which the member is an employee of the local board of education or the governing body.
(1) The commission has the power to declare a commission member's position vacant if a commission member fails, without cause, to attend more than fifty percent (50%) of the commission's regular meetings in a calendar year. The commission shall determine cause for purposes of this subdivision (f)(1).
(2) (A) Whenever a vacancy on the commission exists, the governor shall appoint a member for the remainder of the unexpired term. A member appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy on the commission is subject to confirmation by the general assembly pursuant to subsection (b). (B) A member of the commission shall not vote on any matter that involves an LEA or public charter school of which the member is an employee of the local board of education or the governing body.
(A) Whenever a vacancy on the commission exists, the governor shall appoint a member for the remainder of the unexpired term. A member appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy on the commission is subject to confirmation by the general assembly pursuant to subsection (b).
(B) A member of the commission shall not vote on any matter that involves an LEA or public charter school of which the member is an employee of the local board of education or the governing body.
(g) The commission shall meet at least quarterly. The chair may call special meetings whenever necessary for the transaction of urgent business. The chair shall notify each member of the commission of any special meeting at least five (5) days before the time fixed for the special meeting. A majority of the commission may petition the chair to call a special meeting, in which case the chair shall call a special meeting.
(h) A majority of the commission members entitled to vote is required to transact business coming before the commission. The commission shall pass a resolution memorializing the commission's approval or denial of each application that the commission considers. The commission shall comply with the open meetings law, compiled in title 8, chapter 44, and open records law, compiled in title 10, chapter 7.
(i) The chair and vice chair are officers of the commission and must be elected by the members of the commission for a term of three (3) years or for the remainder of the respective chair's or vice chair's term on the commission, whichever is earlier. Officers may be reelected.
(j) A commission member shall not receive compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of official duties in accordance with the state comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the commissioner of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter.
(k) (1) The commission shall employ a director of schools who has the same duties and powers granted to directors of schools in § 49-2-301 , consistent with this chapter. An employee or official of any department, agency, or board of this state shall not serve as a director of schools. The director of schools shall be responsible solely to the commission. (2) Additional personnel hired by the director of schools shall be subject to personnel regulations and policies that apply to state employees, such as leave, compensation, classification, and travel regulations. The director of schools has the sole authority to appoint, terminate, and control personnel as provided in this section. The personnel of the commission shall not have state service status.
(1) The commission shall employ a director of schools who has the same duties and powers granted to directors of schools in § 49-2-301 , consistent with this chapter. An employee or official of any department, agency, or board of this state shall not serve as a director of schools. The director of schools shall be responsible solely to the commission.
(2) Additional personnel hired by the director of schools shall be subject to personnel regulations and policies that apply to state employees, such as leave, compensation, classification, and travel regulations. The director of schools has the sole authority to appoint, terminate, and control personnel as provided in this section. The personnel of the commission shall not have state service status.
(l) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commission shall, at a minimum, have the same authority and autonomy afforded to LEAs under state law regarding the procurement of goods and services, including, but not limited to, personal, professional, consulting, and social services. The commission shall develop written procedures for the procurement of all goods and services in compliance with the expenditure thresholds for competitive bidding outlined or permitted in § 49-2-203 .
(m) The commission may promulgate rules and regulations that are solely necessary for the administrative operation and functions of the commission. The commission's rulemaking authority shall not supersede the state board of education's rulemaking authority and may only be exercised in performance of the commission's administrative responsibilities. The rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
(n) Commission meetings shall be made available for public viewing over the internet by streaming video accessible on the commission's website. Archived videos of the commission's meetings shall also be available to the public through the commission's website.
(o) The following individuals are prohibited from serving as a member of the commission for so long as they hold the office or position: (1) Elected officials; and (2) State employees.
(1) Elected officials; and
(2) State employees.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 219, s 7, eff. 4/26/2019.
Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 850, s 3, eff. 4/30/2014.
Acts 2002, ch. 850, § 5.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-1-234 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 49-1-234
Landscape analysis of mathematics proficiency - Committee review - Report of findings
Status: in_force

(a) The department of education shall conduct a landscape analysis of: (1) The current mathematics proficiency levels in this state disaggregated by LEA, grade levels, and student groups, including student achievement and student growth in mathematics; (2) LEAs with varying levels of mathematics proficiency, including an examination of instructional programming, as well as strategies to remediate, intervene, and provide supports to improve student proficiency in mathematics; (3) Professional development and pedagogical practices used by LEAs for teachers in mathematics; (4) The practices used by educator preparation providers in this state to prepare mathematics teachers for educator licensure; and (5) The benefits and potential outcomes of requiring teachers to successfully complete a standards-aligned mathematics professional development course to obtain, renew, advance, or maintain an educator license with an endorsement that qualifies the teacher to teach mathematics to students in kindergarten through grade eight (K-8). (b) The department shall convene a mathematics expert review committee comprised of mathematics educators in this state and mathematics experts in this state and nationwide to review and evaluate the mathematics professional development options available in this state to assist the department in identifying a professional development course on mathematics instruction skills suitable for approval pursuant to § 49-1-233(a). The committee shall report its findings to the department. (c) The department shall report the findings and conclusions of the landscape analysis required in subsection (a) and the findings of the mathematics expert review committee convened pursuant to subsection (b), along with any recommendations for legislation, to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives no later than January 31, 2025. Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 551,s 3, eff. 3/11/2024.
(a) The department of education shall conduct a landscape analysis of: (1) The current mathematics proficiency levels in this state disaggregated by LEA, grade levels, and student groups, including student achievement and student growth in mathematics; (2) LEAs with varying levels of mathematics proficiency, including an examination of instructional programming, as well as strategies to remediate, intervene, and provide supports to improve student proficiency in mathematics; (3) Professional development and pedagogical practices used by LEAs for teachers in mathematics; (4) The practices used by educator preparation providers in this state to prepare mathematics teachers for educator licensure; and (5) The benefits and potential outcomes of requiring teachers to successfully complete a standards-aligned mathematics professional development course to obtain, renew, advance, or maintain an educator license with an endorsement that qualifies the teacher to teach mathematics to students in kindergarten through grade eight (K-8).
(1) The current mathematics proficiency levels in this state disaggregated by LEA, grade levels, and student groups, including student achievement and student growth in mathematics;
(2) LEAs with varying levels of mathematics proficiency, including an examination of instructional programming, as well as strategies to remediate, intervene, and provide supports to improve student proficiency in mathematics;
(3) Professional development and pedagogical practices used by LEAs for teachers in mathematics;
(4) The practices used by educator preparation providers in this state to prepare mathematics teachers for educator licensure; and
(5) The benefits and potential outcomes of requiring teachers to successfully complete a standards-aligned mathematics professional development course to obtain, renew, advance, or maintain an educator license with an endorsement that qualifies the teacher to teach mathematics to students in kindergarten through grade eight (K-8).
(b) The department shall convene a mathematics expert review committee comprised of mathematics educators in this state and mathematics experts in this state and nationwide to review and evaluate the mathematics professional development options available in this state to assist the department in identifying a professional development course on mathematics instruction skills suitable for approval pursuant to § 49-1-233(a). The committee shall report its findings to the department.
(c) The department shall report the findings and conclusions of the landscape analysis required in subsection (a) and the findings of the mathematics expert review committee convened pursuant to subsection (b), along with any recommendations for legislation, to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives no later than January 31, 2025.
Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 551,s 3, eff. 3/11/2024.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-13-138 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 49-13-138
[Repealed]
Status: repealed

Repealed by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 219,s 93, eff. 4/26/2019. Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 847,s 1, eff. 4/29/2014. Acts 2012, ch. 794, § 1.
Repealed by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 219,s 93, eff. 4/26/2019.
Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 847,s 1, eff. 4/29/2014.
Acts 2012, ch. 794, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-810 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-810
Annual report to governor and general assembly
Status: in_force

Annually on or before February 1 of each year, the commissioner of education and the commissioner of safety shall jointly report to the governor and the general assembly on implementation of and compliance with this part. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 367, s 11, eff. 7/1/2023. Acts 2007 , ch. 548, § 11.
Annually on or before February 1 of each year, the commissioner of education and the commissioner of safety shall jointly report to the governor and the general assembly on implementation of and compliance with this part.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 367, s 11, eff. 7/1/2023.
Acts 2007 , ch. 548, § 11.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-5-515 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 49-5-515
Establishment of system for teachers not previously covered
Status: in_force

(a) The state board of education is authorized and directed to establish a system of tenure for teachers in schools and institutions under its jurisdiction. (b) The board shall promulgate and publish reasonable rules and regulations for the establishment of a tenure system for such teachers, and has the power to promulgate and publish the rules and regulations as are deemed reasonably necessary for the establishment of the tenure system, which shall include, but not be limited to, standards and requirements concerning: (1) The minimum qualifications of teachers eligible for tenure; (2) The types of tenure; (3) Leaves of absence; (4) Time of termination of tenure; (5) Transfers within the system; (6) Credit for time served in other school systems within the state; (7) Grounds and procedures concerning suspensions and dismissals; (8) Investigations; (9) Suspensions pending investigations; and (10) Other subjects deemed by the board to be reasonably related to teacher's tenure. (c) The rules and regulations shall be adopted by a formal resolution by a majority of the membership, and the resolution shall be signed by a majority of the members of the state board of education as certified by the chair and attested by the executive secretary of the board, and otherwise they shall be approved and filed in the manner required by the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. (d) After giving written notice of charges against any teacher, the board shall hold a hearing in the same manner and shall have the same powers as provided in § 49-5-512 ; provided, that where § 49-5-512 refers to the director of schools, for the purpose of this part, reference shall be made to the chair of the state board of education. (e) A teacher shall be entitled to a judicial review of the action of the board for the same purposes and in the same manner provided by § 49-5-513 . (f) As used in this section, "teacher" means any person employed by the state board of education in a full-time position as an administrative officer or teacher in a school or other educational institution except a college or university; provided, that "teacher," does not apply to the principal or chief administrative officer of the school or institution. (g) No teacher under this section shall be guaranteed continuity of employment in a particular assignment or position. Acts 1967, ch. 210, §§ 1-3; T.C.A., §§ 49-1423 -- 49-1425.
(a) The state board of education is authorized and directed to establish a system of tenure for teachers in schools and institutions under its jurisdiction.
(b) The board shall promulgate and publish reasonable rules and regulations for the establishment of a tenure system for such teachers, and has the power to promulgate and publish the rules and regulations as are deemed reasonably necessary for the establishment of the tenure system, which shall include, but not be limited to, standards and requirements concerning: (1) The minimum qualifications of teachers eligible for tenure; (2) The types of tenure; (3) Leaves of absence; (4) Time of termination of tenure; (5) Transfers within the system; (6) Credit for time served in other school systems within the state; (7) Grounds and procedures concerning suspensions and dismissals; (8) Investigations; (9) Suspensions pending investigations; and (10) Other subjects deemed by the board to be reasonably related to teacher's tenure.
(1) The minimum qualifications of teachers eligible for tenure;
(2) The types of tenure;
(3) Leaves of absence;
(4) Time of termination of tenure;
(5) Transfers within the system;
(6) Credit for time served in other school systems within the state;
(7) Grounds and procedures concerning suspensions and dismissals;
(8) Investigations;
(9) Suspensions pending investigations; and
(10) Other subjects deemed by the board to be reasonably related to teacher's tenure.
(c) The rules and regulations shall be adopted by a formal resolution by a majority of the membership, and the resolution shall be signed by a majority of the members of the state board of education as certified by the chair and attested by the executive secretary of the board, and otherwise they shall be approved and filed in the manner required by the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
(d) After giving written notice of charges against any teacher, the board shall hold a hearing in the same manner and shall have the same powers as provided in § 49-5-512 ; provided, that where § 49-5-512 refers to the director of schools, for the purpose of this part, reference shall be made to the chair of the state board of education.
(e) A teacher shall be entitled to a judicial review of the action of the board for the same purposes and in the same manner provided by § 49-5-513 .
(f) As used in this section, "teacher" means any person employed by the state board of education in a full-time position as an administrative officer or teacher in a school or other educational institution except a college or university; provided, that "teacher," does not apply to the principal or chief administrative officer of the school or institution.
(g) No teacher under this section shall be guaranteed continuity of employment in a particular assignment or position.
Acts 1967, ch. 210, §§ 1-3; T.C.A., §§ 49-1423 -- 49-1425.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-5-1003 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 49-5-1003
Educator's obligations to students
Status: in_force

(a) An educator shall strive to help each student realize the student's potential as a worthy and effective member of society. An educator therefore works to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals. (b) In fulfillment of this obligation to the student, an educator shall: (1) Abide by all applicable federal and state laws; (2) Not unreasonably restrain the student from independent action in the pursuit of learning; (3) Provide the student with professional education services in a nondiscriminatory manner and in consonance with accepted best practices known to the educator; (4) Respect the constitutional rights of the student; (5) Not unreasonably deny the student access to varying points of view; (6) Not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter relevant to the student's progress; (7) Make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety; (8) Make reasonable effort to protect the emotional well-being of the student; (9) Not intentionally expose the student to embarrassment or disparagement; (10) Not on any basis, unfairly: (A) Exclude the student from participation in any program; (B) Deny benefits to the student; or (C) Grant any advantage to the student; (11) Not use the educator's professional relationship with the student for private advantage; (12) Not disclose information about the student obtained in the course of the educator's professional service, unless disclosure of the information is permitted, serves a compelling professional purpose, or is required by law; (13) Not knowingly make false or malicious statements about students or colleagues; (14) Ensure interactions with the student take place in transparent and appropriate settings; (15) Not engage in any sexually related behavior with the student, whether verbal, written, physical, or electronic, with or without the student's consent. Sexually related behavior includes, but is not limited to, behaviors such as making sexual jokes or sexual remarks; engaging in sexual kidding, sexual teasing, or sexual innuendo; pressuring the student for dates or sexual favors; engaging in inappropriate physical touching, groping, or grabbing; kissing; rape; threatening physical harm; and committing sexual assault; (16) Not furnish alcohol or illegal or unauthorized drugs to the student; (17) Strive to prevent the use of alcohol or illegal or unauthorized drugs by the student when the student is under the educator's supervision on school or LEA premises, during school activities, or in any private setting; (18) Refrain from the use of alcohol while on school or LEA premises or during a school activity at which students are present; and (19) Maintain a professional approach with the student at all times. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 780,s 1, eff. 4/23/2024. Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 937, s 1, eff. 7/1/2018. Acts 2010 , ch. 916, § 1.
(a) An educator shall strive to help each student realize the student's potential as a worthy and effective member of society. An educator therefore works to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals.
(b) In fulfillment of this obligation to the student, an educator shall: (1) Abide by all applicable federal and state laws; (2) Not unreasonably restrain the student from independent action in the pursuit of learning; (3) Provide the student with professional education services in a nondiscriminatory manner and in consonance with accepted best practices known to the educator; (4) Respect the constitutional rights of the student; (5) Not unreasonably deny the student access to varying points of view; (6) Not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter relevant to the student's progress; (7) Make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety; (8) Make reasonable effort to protect the emotional well-being of the student; (9) Not intentionally expose the student to embarrassment or disparagement; (10) Not on any basis, unfairly: (A) Exclude the student from participation in any program; (B) Deny benefits to the student; or (C) Grant any advantage to the student; (11) Not use the educator's professional relationship with the student for private advantage; (12) Not disclose information about the student obtained in the course of the educator's professional service, unless disclosure of the information is permitted, serves a compelling professional purpose, or is required by law; (13) Not knowingly make false or malicious statements about students or colleagues; (14) Ensure interactions with the student take place in transparent and appropriate settings; (15) Not engage in any sexually related behavior with the student, whether verbal, written, physical, or electronic, with or without the student's consent. Sexually related behavior includes, but is not limited to, behaviors such as making sexual jokes or sexual remarks; engaging in sexual kidding, sexual teasing, or sexual innuendo; pressuring the student for dates or sexual favors; engaging in inappropriate physical touching, groping, or grabbing; kissing; rape; threatening physical harm; and committing sexual assault; (16) Not furnish alcohol or illegal or unauthorized drugs to the student; (17) Strive to prevent the use of alcohol or illegal or unauthorized drugs by the student when the student is under the educator's supervision on school or LEA premises, during school activities, or in any private setting; (18) Refrain from the use of alcohol while on school or LEA premises or during a school activity at which students are present; and (19) Maintain a professional approach with the student at all times.
(1) Abide by all applicable federal and state laws;
(2) Not unreasonably restrain the student from independent action in the pursuit of learning;
(3) Provide the student with professional education services in a nondiscriminatory manner and in consonance with accepted best practices known to the educator;
(4) Respect the constitutional rights of the student;
(5) Not unreasonably deny the student access to varying points of view;
(6) Not deliberately suppress or distort subject matter relevant to the student's progress;
(7) Make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety;
(8) Make reasonable effort to protect the emotional well-being of the student;
(9) Not intentionally expose the student to embarrassment or disparagement;
(10) Not on any basis, unfairly: (A) Exclude the student from participation in any program; (B) Deny benefits to the student; or (C) Grant any advantage to the student;
(A) Exclude the student from participation in any program;
(B) Deny benefits to the student; or
(C) Grant any advantage to the student;
(11) Not use the educator's professional relationship with the student for private advantage;
(12) Not disclose information about the student obtained in the course of the educator's professional service, unless disclosure of the information is permitted, serves a compelling professional purpose, or is required by law;
(13) Not knowingly make false or malicious statements about students or colleagues;
(14) Ensure interactions with the student take place in transparent and appropriate settings;
(15) Not engage in any sexually related behavior with the student, whether verbal, written, physical, or electronic, with or without the student's consent. Sexually related behavior includes, but is not limited to, behaviors such as making sexual jokes or sexual remarks; engaging in sexual kidding, sexual teasing, or sexual innuendo; pressuring the student for dates or sexual favors; engaging in inappropriate physical touching, groping, or grabbing; kissing; rape; threatening physical harm; and committing sexual assault;
(16) Not furnish alcohol or illegal or unauthorized drugs to the student;
(17) Strive to prevent the use of alcohol or illegal or unauthorized drugs by the student when the student is under the educator's supervision on school or LEA premises, during school activities, or in any private setting;
(18) Refrain from the use of alcohol while on school or LEA premises or during a school activity at which students are present; and
(19) Maintain a professional approach with the student at all times.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 780,s 1, eff. 4/23/2024.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 937, s 1, eff. 7/1/2018.
Acts 2010 , ch. 916, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-3706 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-3706
School turnaround committee - School turnaround plan
Status: in_force

(a) By September 30, 2021, the local board of education for a priority school that the department has designated as a school in need of intervention shall establish a school turnaround committee for each school in the LEA that is participating in the school turnaround pilot program. The school turnaround committee shall make recommendations concerning the school turnaround plan to the local board of education. The school turnaround committee must be composed of the following members: (1) The local school board member who represents the voting district in which the school is located; (2) The principal of the school; (3) Three (3) parents of students enrolled in the school, to be appointed by the director of schools; (4) Two (2) teachers at the school, to be appointed by the local board of education; and (5) Two (2) teachers at the school, to be appointed by the director of schools. (b) (1) The members of the school turnaround committee must serve until the end of the pilot program, unless a member ceases to qualify for the position. The school turnaround committee for a school that exits the pilot program pursuant to § 49-6-3705(b)(2) terminates on the date the local board of education notifies the commissioner of education and the independent school turnaround expert under contract with the board pursuant to § 49-6-3707(b) , in writing, that the school is exiting the pilot program. (2) Before the end of the pilot program, if a person replaces the local board of education member serving on the school turnaround committee on the local board of education, or, if the local board of education appoints a new principal of the school, then the new local board of education member or the new principal fills the position on the school turnaround committee held by the new local board of education member's or the new school principal's predecessor. (3) If, before the end of the pilot program, a parent member ceases to have a student enrolled at the school in the pilot program, a teacher member ceases to teach at the school in the pilot program, or a parent or teacher member resigns or otherwise cannot fulfill the member's duties, then the member's position on the school turnaround committee is vacated and the respective appointing authority shall appoint a new member to serve the remainder of the pilot program on the school turnaround committee. (c) By November 30, 2021, the local board of education shall contract with an independent school turnaround expert from a list of qualified experts provided by the department pursuant to § 49-6-3707 , who shall develop a school turnaround plan in collaboration with the school turnaround committee that includes: (1) The findings of the analysis conducted by the independent school turnaround expert described in § 49-6-3707 ; (2) Recommendations compliant with state and federal law regarding changes to the school's personnel, culture, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, governance, leadership, finances, policies, or other areas that may be necessary to implement the school turnaround plan; (3) Measurable student achievement goals and objectives; (4) A professional development plan that identifies strategies to address problems of instructional practice; (5) A leadership development plan focused on strategies to turn around the school; (6) How progress will be monitored and assessed; (7) How data on progress will be communicated and reported to stakeholders; and (8) A timeline for implementation that aligns with the timelines established for the pilot program in this part. (d) (1) By March 1, 2022, the school turnaround committee shall submit the recommended school turnaround plan to the local board of education. The local board of education may recommend changes to the school turnaround committee for the school turnaround plan, but the school turnaround committee and the local board of education must agree on a final school turnaround plan. The local board of education shall submit the final school turnaround plan to the department for approval by April 1, 2022. (2) If the local board of education and the school turnaround committee do not agree on the final school turnaround plan before April 1, 2022, then the local board of education and the school turnaround committee may independently submit a proposed school turnaround plan to the department for approval. The department may make any necessary changes to a proposed school turnaround plan submitted to the department, but shall approve one (1) of the proposed school turnaround plans for the school in need of intervention. (3) Upon the department's receipt of a school turnaround plan submitted for approval pursuant to subdivision (d)(1), the department shall: (A) Review a school turnaround plan submitted for approval under subdivision (d)(1) within thirty (30) days of submission; and (B) Approve a school turnaround plan submitted in accordance with subdivision (d)(1) that is timely, well-developed, and aligned with the rubric developed by the department. The department may recommend additional changes to the school turnaround plan submitted to the department before the department approves the school turnaround plan. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 863,s 3, eff. 5/1/2024. Acts 2021 , ch. 578, § 1.
(a) By September 30, 2021, the local board of education for a priority school that the department has designated as a school in need of intervention shall establish a school turnaround committee for each school in the LEA that is participating in the school turnaround pilot program. The school turnaround committee shall make recommendations concerning the school turnaround plan to the local board of education. The school turnaround committee must be composed of the following members: (1) The local school board member who represents the voting district in which the school is located; (2) The principal of the school; (3) Three (3) parents of students enrolled in the school, to be appointed by the director of schools; (4) Two (2) teachers at the school, to be appointed by the local board of education; and (5) Two (2) teachers at the school, to be appointed by the director of schools.
(1) The local school board member who represents the voting district in which the school is located;
(2) The principal of the school;
(3) Three (3) parents of students enrolled in the school, to be appointed by the director of schools;
(4) Two (2) teachers at the school, to be appointed by the local board of education; and
(5) Two (2) teachers at the school, to be appointed by the director of schools.
(b) (1) The members of the school turnaround committee must serve until the end of the pilot program, unless a member ceases to qualify for the position. The school turnaround committee for a school that exits the pilot program pursuant to § 49-6-3705(b)(2) terminates on the date the local board of education notifies the commissioner of education and the independent school turnaround expert under contract with the board pursuant to § 49-6-3707(b) , in writing, that the school is exiting the pilot program. (2) Before the end of the pilot program, if a person replaces the local board of education member serving on the school turnaround committee on the local board of education, or, if the local board of education appoints a new principal of the school, then the new local board of education member or the new principal fills the position on the school turnaround committee held by the new local board of education member's or the new school principal's predecessor. (3) If, before the end of the pilot program, a parent member ceases to have a student enrolled at the school in the pilot program, a teacher member ceases to teach at the school in the pilot program, or a parent or teacher member resigns or otherwise cannot fulfill the member's duties, then the member's position on the school turnaround committee is vacated and the respective appointing authority shall appoint a new member to serve the remainder of the pilot program on the school turnaround committee.
(1) The members of the school turnaround committee must serve until the end of the pilot program, unless a member ceases to qualify for the position. The school turnaround committee for a school that exits the pilot program pursuant to § 49-6-3705(b)(2) terminates on the date the local board of education notifies the commissioner of education and the independent school turnaround expert under contract with the board pursuant to § 49-6-3707(b) , in writing, that the school is exiting the pilot program.
(2) Before the end of the pilot program, if a person replaces the local board of education member serving on the school turnaround committee on the local board of education, or, if the local board of education appoints a new principal of the school, then the new local board of education member or the new principal fills the position on the school turnaround committee held by the new local board of education member's or the new school principal's predecessor.
(3) If, before the end of the pilot program, a parent member ceases to have a student enrolled at the school in the pilot program, a teacher member ceases to teach at the school in the pilot program, or a parent or teacher member resigns or otherwise cannot fulfill the member's duties, then the member's position on the school turnaround committee is vacated and the respective appointing authority shall appoint a new member to serve the remainder of the pilot program on the school turnaround committee.
(c) By November 30, 2021, the local board of education shall contract with an independent school turnaround expert from a list of qualified experts provided by the department pursuant to § 49-6-3707 , who shall develop a school turnaround plan in collaboration with the school turnaround committee that includes: (1) The findings of the analysis conducted by the independent school turnaround expert described in § 49-6-3707 ; (2) Recommendations compliant with state and federal law regarding changes to the school's personnel, culture, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, governance, leadership, finances, policies, or other areas that may be necessary to implement the school turnaround plan; (3) Measurable student achievement goals and objectives; (4) A professional development plan that identifies strategies to address problems of instructional practice; (5) A leadership development plan focused on strategies to turn around the school; (6) How progress will be monitored and assessed; (7) How data on progress will be communicated and reported to stakeholders; and (8) A timeline for implementation that aligns with the timelines established for the pilot program in this part.
(1) The findings of the analysis conducted by the independent school turnaround expert described in § 49-6-3707 ;
(2) Recommendations compliant with state and federal law regarding changes to the school's personnel, culture, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, governance, leadership, finances, policies, or other areas that may be necessary to implement the school turnaround plan;
(3) Measurable student achievement goals and objectives;
(4) A professional development plan that identifies strategies to address problems of instructional practice;
(5) A leadership development plan focused on strategies to turn around the school;
(6) How progress will be monitored and assessed;
(7) How data on progress will be communicated and reported to stakeholders; and
(8) A timeline for implementation that aligns with the timelines established for the pilot program in this part.
(d) (1) By March 1, 2022, the school turnaround committee shall submit the recommended school turnaround plan to the local board of education. The local board of education may recommend changes to the school turnaround committee for the school turnaround plan, but the school turnaround committee and the local board of education must agree on a final school turnaround plan. The local board of education shall submit the final school turnaround plan to the department for approval by April 1, 2022. (2) If the local board of education and the school turnaround committee do not agree on the final school turnaround plan before April 1, 2022, then the local board of education and the school turnaround committee may independently submit a proposed school turnaround plan to the department for approval. The department may make any necessary changes to a proposed school turnaround plan submitted to the department, but shall approve one (1) of the proposed school turnaround plans for the school in need of intervention. (3) Upon the department's receipt of a school turnaround plan submitted for approval pursuant to subdivision (d)(1), the department shall: (A) Review a school turnaround plan submitted for approval under subdivision (d)(1) within thirty (30) days of submission; and (B) Approve a school turnaround plan submitted in accordance with subdivision (d)(1) that is timely, well-developed, and aligned with the rubric developed by the department. The department may recommend additional changes to the school turnaround plan submitted to the department before the department approves the school turnaround plan.
(1) By March 1, 2022, the school turnaround committee shall submit the recommended school turnaround plan to the local board of education. The local board of education may recommend changes to the school turnaround committee for the school turnaround plan, but the school turnaround committee and the local board of education must agree on a final school turnaround plan. The local board of education shall submit the final school turnaround plan to the department for approval by April 1, 2022.
(2) If the local board of education and the school turnaround committee do not agree on the final school turnaround plan before April 1, 2022, then the local board of education and the school turnaround committee may independently submit a proposed school turnaround plan to the department for approval. The department may make any necessary changes to a proposed school turnaround plan submitted to the department, but shall approve one (1) of the proposed school turnaround plans for the school in need of intervention.
(3) Upon the department's receipt of a school turnaround plan submitted for approval pursuant to subdivision (d)(1), the department shall: (A) Review a school turnaround plan submitted for approval under subdivision (d)(1) within thirty (30) days of submission; and (B) Approve a school turnaround plan submitted in accordance with subdivision (d)(1) that is timely, well-developed, and aligned with the rubric developed by the department. The department may recommend additional changes to the school turnaround plan submitted to the department before the department approves the school turnaround plan.
(A) Review a school turnaround plan submitted for approval under subdivision (d)(1) within thirty (30) days of submission; and
(B) Approve a school turnaround plan submitted in accordance with subdivision (d)(1) that is timely, well-developed, and aligned with the rubric developed by the department. The department may recommend additional changes to the school turnaround plan submitted to the department before the department approves the school turnaround plan.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 863,s 3, eff. 5/1/2024.
Acts 2021 , ch. 578, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-3-403 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 49-3-403
Volunteer public education trust fund - Acceptance of funds - Accounts - Investments and expenditures
Status: in_force

(a) There is established within the state treasury a special trust fund for education known as the volunteer public education trust fund that shall be administered by the state treasurer and the commissioner of education as trustees. (b) (1) The state treasurer, on behalf of the fund, is authorized to accept money contributed to the fund from any individual, association, trust, corporation, partnership, firm, venture, agency, organization, governmental entity, or political subdivision, including, but not limited to, state-appropriated funds or monetary gifts, grants, or any other monetary aids received by the program from public or private sources. (2) The state treasurer may accept funds from a private or public entity that may be earmarked for a specific purpose and for a specific local education agency (LEA), as defined in § 49-3-104 , and the income from these funds must be disbursed to the LEA in the name of the private or public entity as long as the funds are used for public education. (3) For all funds deposited into the trust fund, the income from the funds may be expended by the trustees in accordance with the trustees' operational guidelines for the expenditure of income in an amount certain to one (1) or more LEAs, subject to the earmarked purpose of the money contributed to the fund. (4) The trust fund must be divided into the following two (2) general accounts: one (1) for public funds and one (1) for private funds. (5) Each general account must be divided into subaccounts for each LEA to the extent that the trust fund money is allocated for a specific LEA. (6) Corpus from the fund must be allocated to each subaccount in an amount sufficient to fund a public education purpose or project in accordance with the expenditure authorization from the trustees. All income on the corpus allocated must be paid to the subaccount. (7) Income on the remaining corpus in each general account that has not been allocated must be maintained in a special reserve at the general account level. (8) Income in excess of the funding for a subaccount must be maintained in a special reserve at the subaccount level. (9) Regardless of the allocation of funds, all moneys in the trust fund may be commingled for investment purposes with other trust funds and other funds subject to investment by the state treasurer in accordance with the trustees' investment policy and applicable law. (c) Funds in the special trust fund for education established by this part shall be invested and reinvested by the state treasurer. The trust may invest in any security or investment in which the Tennessee consolidated retirement system is permitted to invest, subject to the requirements of other applicable law; provided, that investments by the trust must be governed by the investment policies and guidelines adopted by the trustees in accordance with this part. (d) The trust income must be expended only in accordance with §§ 49-3-404 and 49-3-405 and to pay expenses incurred in administering and investing the trust assets. The corpus, as set forth in § 49-3-405 , shall not be expended for any purpose. Under no circumstances shall any of the money in the fund be used for any purpose other than public education. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966, s 28, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 379, Secs.s 2, s 3, s 4, s 5, s 6 eff. 5/10/2019. Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 654, Secs.s 1, s 2 eff. 4/9/2018. Acts 1985, ch. 351, § 3.
(a) There is established within the state treasury a special trust fund for education known as the volunteer public education trust fund that shall be administered by the state treasurer and the commissioner of education as trustees.
(b) (1) The state treasurer, on behalf of the fund, is authorized to accept money contributed to the fund from any individual, association, trust, corporation, partnership, firm, venture, agency, organization, governmental entity, or political subdivision, including, but not limited to, state-appropriated funds or monetary gifts, grants, or any other monetary aids received by the program from public or private sources. (2) The state treasurer may accept funds from a private or public entity that may be earmarked for a specific purpose and for a specific local education agency (LEA), as defined in § 49-3-104 , and the income from these funds must be disbursed to the LEA in the name of the private or public entity as long as the funds are used for public education. (3) For all funds deposited into the trust fund, the income from the funds may be expended by the trustees in accordance with the trustees' operational guidelines for the expenditure of income in an amount certain to one (1) or more LEAs, subject to the earmarked purpose of the money contributed to the fund. (4) The trust fund must be divided into the following two (2) general accounts: one (1) for public funds and one (1) for private funds. (5) Each general account must be divided into subaccounts for each LEA to the extent that the trust fund money is allocated for a specific LEA. (6) Corpus from the fund must be allocated to each subaccount in an amount sufficient to fund a public education purpose or project in accordance with the expenditure authorization from the trustees. All income on the corpus allocated must be paid to the subaccount. (7) Income on the remaining corpus in each general account that has not been allocated must be maintained in a special reserve at the general account level. (8) Income in excess of the funding for a subaccount must be maintained in a special reserve at the subaccount level. (9) Regardless of the allocation of funds, all moneys in the trust fund may be commingled for investment purposes with other trust funds and other funds subject to investment by the state treasurer in accordance with the trustees' investment policy and applicable law.
(1) The state treasurer, on behalf of the fund, is authorized to accept money contributed to the fund from any individual, association, trust, corporation, partnership, firm, venture, agency, organization, governmental entity, or political subdivision, including, but not limited to, state-appropriated funds or monetary gifts, grants, or any other monetary aids received by the program from public or private sources.
(2) The state treasurer may accept funds from a private or public entity that may be earmarked for a specific purpose and for a specific local education agency (LEA), as defined in § 49-3-104 , and the income from these funds must be disbursed to the LEA in the name of the private or public entity as long as the funds are used for public education.
(3) For all funds deposited into the trust fund, the income from the funds may be expended by the trustees in accordance with the trustees' operational guidelines for the expenditure of income in an amount certain to one (1) or more LEAs, subject to the earmarked purpose of the money contributed to the fund.
(4) The trust fund must be divided into the following two (2) general accounts: one (1) for public funds and one (1) for private funds.
(5) Each general account must be divided into subaccounts for each LEA to the extent that the trust fund money is allocated for a specific LEA.
(6) Corpus from the fund must be allocated to each subaccount in an amount sufficient to fund a public education purpose or project in accordance with the expenditure authorization from the trustees. All income on the corpus allocated must be paid to the subaccount.
(7) Income on the remaining corpus in each general account that has not been allocated must be maintained in a special reserve at the general account level.
(8) Income in excess of the funding for a subaccount must be maintained in a special reserve at the subaccount level.
(9) Regardless of the allocation of funds, all moneys in the trust fund may be commingled for investment purposes with other trust funds and other funds subject to investment by the state treasurer in accordance with the trustees' investment policy and applicable law.
(c) Funds in the special trust fund for education established by this part shall be invested and reinvested by the state treasurer. The trust may invest in any security or investment in which the Tennessee consolidated retirement system is permitted to invest, subject to the requirements of other applicable law; provided, that investments by the trust must be governed by the investment policies and guidelines adopted by the trustees in accordance with this part.
(d) The trust income must be expended only in accordance with §§ 49-3-404 and 49-3-405 and to pay expenses incurred in administering and investing the trust assets. The corpus, as set forth in § 49-3-405 , shall not be expended for any purpose. Under no circumstances shall any of the money in the fund be used for any purpose other than public education.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966, s 28, eff. 7/1/2023.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 379, Secs.s 2, s 3, s 4, s 5, s 6 eff. 5/10/2019.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 654, Secs.s 1, s 2 eff. 4/9/2018.
Acts 1985, ch. 351, § 3.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-5-209 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 49-5-209
Educator's Bill of Rights
Status: in_force

(a) This section is known and may be cited as the "Educator's Bill of Rights." (b) For purposes of this section, "educator" means any teacher, principal, supervisor, or other individual required by law to hold a valid license of qualification for employment in the public schools of this state. (c) An educator has the right to: (1) Be treated with civility and respect; (2) Have his or her professional judgment and discretion respected; (3) Report any errant, offensive, or abusive content or behavior of students to school officials or appropriate agencies; (4) Provide students with a classroom and school in which the educators, students, the property of the educator and students, and peers will be safe; (5) Defend themselves and their students from physical violence or physical harm pursuant to § 49-6-2802 ; (6) Share information regarding a student's educational experience, health, or safety with the student's parent or legal guardian unless otherwise prohibited by state law or the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ( 20 U.S.C. § 1232g ); (7) Review all instructional material or curriculum prior to those materials being utilized for instruction of students; (8) Not be required to use their personal money to appropriately equip a classroom; (9) Report students who commit offenses of assault and battery or vandalism on school property endangering the life, health, or safety of others pursuant to § 49-6-4301 ; and (10) Receive benefits in accordance with § 49-5-714 if the educator is a teacher who is absent from the teacher's assigned duties as a result of personal injury caused by a physical assault or other violent criminal act committed against the teacher in the course of the teacher's employment activities. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 153, s 2, eff. 4/13/2023. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 682, s 1, eff. 3/28/2022. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 77, s 7, eff. 1/1/2022. Added by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 360, s 1, eff. 5/11/2017.
(a) This section is known and may be cited as the "Educator's Bill of Rights."
(b) For purposes of this section, "educator" means any teacher, principal, supervisor, or other individual required by law to hold a valid license of qualification for employment in the public schools of this state.
(c) An educator has the right to: (1) Be treated with civility and respect; (2) Have his or her professional judgment and discretion respected; (3) Report any errant, offensive, or abusive content or behavior of students to school officials or appropriate agencies; (4) Provide students with a classroom and school in which the educators, students, the property of the educator and students, and peers will be safe; (5) Defend themselves and their students from physical violence or physical harm pursuant to § 49-6-2802 ; (6) Share information regarding a student's educational experience, health, or safety with the student's parent or legal guardian unless otherwise prohibited by state law or the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ( 20 U.S.C. § 1232g ); (7) Review all instructional material or curriculum prior to those materials being utilized for instruction of students; (8) Not be required to use their personal money to appropriately equip a classroom; (9) Report students who commit offenses of assault and battery or vandalism on school property endangering the life, health, or safety of others pursuant to § 49-6-4301 ; and (10) Receive benefits in accordance with § 49-5-714 if the educator is a teacher who is absent from the teacher's assigned duties as a result of personal injury caused by a physical assault or other violent criminal act committed against the teacher in the course of the teacher's employment activities.
(1) Be treated with civility and respect;
(2) Have his or her professional judgment and discretion respected;
(3) Report any errant, offensive, or abusive content or behavior of students to school officials or appropriate agencies;
(4) Provide students with a classroom and school in which the educators, students, the property of the educator and students, and peers will be safe;
(5) Defend themselves and their students from physical violence or physical harm pursuant to § 49-6-2802 ;
(6) Share information regarding a student's educational experience, health, or safety with the student's parent or legal guardian unless otherwise prohibited by state law or the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ( 20 U.S.C. § 1232g );
(7) Review all instructional material or curriculum prior to those materials being utilized for instruction of students;
(8) Not be required to use their personal money to appropriately equip a classroom;
(9) Report students who commit offenses of assault and battery or vandalism on school property endangering the life, health, or safety of others pursuant to § 49-6-4301 ; and
(10) Receive benefits in accordance with § 49-5-714 if the educator is a teacher who is absent from the teacher's assigned duties as a result of personal injury caused by a physical assault or other violent criminal act committed against the teacher in the course of the teacher's employment activities.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 153, s 2, eff. 4/13/2023.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 682, s 1, eff. 3/28/2022.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 77, s 7, eff. 1/1/2022.
Added by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 360, s 1, eff. 5/11/2017.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-1-108 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 49-1-108
Submissions of interpretations and directives from the United States department of education - Dissemination by chairs of government operations committees
Status: in_force

(a) The department of education shall submit interpretations and directives from the United States department of education regarding the implementation of department rules that provide guidance to this state to the chair of the government operations committee of the house of representatives, the chair of the government operations committee of the senate, the chair of the education instruction committee of the house of representatives, the chair of the education administration committee of the house of representatives, the chair of the education committee of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the speaker of the senate. (b) The chairs of the government operations committees shall disseminate the interpretations and directives submitted by the department of education as prescribed in subsection (a) to the members of the joint government operations rule review committees prior to each rule review meeting scheduled by the committee for the month following the submission of the interpretations and directives. Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 722,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024.
(a) The department of education shall submit interpretations and directives from the United States department of education regarding the implementation of department rules that provide guidance to this state to the chair of the government operations committee of the house of representatives, the chair of the government operations committee of the senate, the chair of the education instruction committee of the house of representatives, the chair of the education administration committee of the house of representatives, the chair of the education committee of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the speaker of the senate.
(b) The chairs of the government operations committees shall disseminate the interpretations and directives submitted by the department of education as prescribed in subsection (a) to the members of the joint government operations rule review committees prior to each rule review meeting scheduled by the committee for the month following the submission of the interpretations and directives.
Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 722,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-2205 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-2205
Emergency rules for adoption of textbooks and instructional materials
Status: in_force

In the event that any bidder fails to execute the contract and bond as required under this part, in the event any contractor fails to carry out the contract, in the event all bids are unsatisfactory or in the event of the invalidation of any adoption, the state textbook and instructional materials quality commission is specifically authorized to proceed at once to make such rules and regulations concerning the filing of bids and samples as are necessary for an immediate listing for adoption in the subjects for which no adoption exists. The commission shall then proceed to make recommendations of books for adoption to the state board of education, after which the state board shall select and list certain books for adoption. Upon completion of the procedures in this section, the commission shall contract for textbooks and instructional materials in the subjects on which no adoption exists. Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 981,s 14, eff. 1/1/2015. Acts 1951, ch. 180, § 16 (Williams, § 2453.42); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 49-2019; Acts 1984 (1st E.S.), ch. 6, § 7.
In the event that any bidder fails to execute the contract and bond as required under this part, in the event any contractor fails to carry out the contract, in the event all bids are unsatisfactory or in the event of the invalidation of any adoption, the state textbook and instructional materials quality commission is specifically authorized to proceed at once to make such rules and regulations concerning the filing of bids and samples as are necessary for an immediate listing for adoption in the subjects for which no adoption exists. The commission shall then proceed to make recommendations of books for adoption to the state board of education, after which the state board shall select and list certain books for adoption. Upon completion of the procedures in this section, the commission shall contract for textbooks and instructional materials in the subjects on which no adoption exists.
Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 981,s 14, eff. 1/1/2015.
Acts 1951, ch. 180, § 16 (Williams, § 2453.42); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 49-2019; Acts 1984 (1st E.S.), ch. 6, § 7.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-169 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 49-7-169
Annual report detailing higher education opportunities available to eligible incarcerated individuals
Status: in_force

(a) The department of correction shall, in partnership with the Tennessee higher education commission and the board of regents, develop and submit to the general assembly an annual report that details the higher education opportunities available to eligible incarcerated individuals in this state. (b) The report must include: (1) The number of eligible incarcerated individuals housed at each correctional facility who are participating in higher education opportunities; (2) The higher education opportunities available at each correctional facility, including the name of each institution of higher education providing higher education opportunities, along with a description of each course, field of study, or program provided by the institution of higher education; (3) The number of degrees annually conferred to eligible incarcerated individuals housed in a correctional facility, including the name of each institution of higher education conferring the degree; (4) Recommendations from the commissioner of correction, made in partnership with the executive director of the Tennessee higher education commission and the chancellor of the board of regents, to increase the higher education opportunities available to eligible incarcerated individuals housed in correctional facilities in this state; and (5) A plan to equip at least ten percent (10%) of eligible incarcerated individuals housed in correctional facilities in this state with a degree, diploma, or certificate by the year 2025 by increasing the availability of, and participation in, higher education opportunities provided by institutions of higher education. (c) The department shall transmit the report required under this section to the chairs of the judiciary and education committees of the senate and the criminal justice and education administration committees of the house of representatives, no later than January 1 of each year. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 64, s 97, eff. 3/29/2021. Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 238, s 1, eff. 4/30/2019.
(a) The department of correction shall, in partnership with the Tennessee higher education commission and the board of regents, develop and submit to the general assembly an annual report that details the higher education opportunities available to eligible incarcerated individuals in this state.
(b) The report must include: (1) The number of eligible incarcerated individuals housed at each correctional facility who are participating in higher education opportunities; (2) The higher education opportunities available at each correctional facility, including the name of each institution of higher education providing higher education opportunities, along with a description of each course, field of study, or program provided by the institution of higher education; (3) The number of degrees annually conferred to eligible incarcerated individuals housed in a correctional facility, including the name of each institution of higher education conferring the degree; (4) Recommendations from the commissioner of correction, made in partnership with the executive director of the Tennessee higher education commission and the chancellor of the board of regents, to increase the higher education opportunities available to eligible incarcerated individuals housed in correctional facilities in this state; and (5) A plan to equip at least ten percent (10%) of eligible incarcerated individuals housed in correctional facilities in this state with a degree, diploma, or certificate by the year 2025 by increasing the availability of, and participation in, higher education opportunities provided by institutions of higher education.
(1) The number of eligible incarcerated individuals housed at each correctional facility who are participating in higher education opportunities;
(2) The higher education opportunities available at each correctional facility, including the name of each institution of higher education providing higher education opportunities, along with a description of each course, field of study, or program provided by the institution of higher education;
(3) The number of degrees annually conferred to eligible incarcerated individuals housed in a correctional facility, including the name of each institution of higher education conferring the degree;
(4) Recommendations from the commissioner of correction, made in partnership with the executive director of the Tennessee higher education commission and the chancellor of the board of regents, to increase the higher education opportunities available to eligible incarcerated individuals housed in correctional facilities in this state; and
(5) A plan to equip at least ten percent (10%) of eligible incarcerated individuals housed in correctional facilities in this state with a degree, diploma, or certificate by the year 2025 by increasing the availability of, and participation in, higher education opportunities provided by institutions of higher education.
(c) The department shall transmit the report required under this section to the chairs of the judiciary and education committees of the senate and the criminal justice and education administration committees of the house of representatives, no later than January 1 of each year.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 64, s 97, eff. 3/29/2021.
Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 238, s 1, eff. 4/30/2019.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-3024 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-3024
Review of laws and policies related to exclusionary discipline of students in pre-kindergarten through kindergarten
Status: in_force

(a) The department of education, in consultation with juvenile court officials, shall review all current laws and policies related to exclusionary discipline practices in public schools for students in pre-kindergarten through kindergarten (pre-K-K). For purposes of this section, "exclusionary discipline" means any type of school disciplinary action that removes or excludes a student from the student's traditional educational setting. (b) The review shall: (1) Examine the number of exclusionary discipline actions issued by an LEA and the length of each respective disciplinary action; (2) Detail the type of offenses committed by the students that led to the exclusionary discipline action; (3) Review the impact exclusionary discipline has on students; (4) Examine recommendations from lawmakers, juvenile court officials, judges, district attorneys, the Tennessee commission on children and youth, and representatives from LEAs on alternatives to exclusionary discipline; (5) Identify free resources to support teachers and parents in addressing children's social, emotional, and behavioral health, strengthening family relationships, and increasing developmental and behavioral screening; and (6) Research the possibility of: (A) Eliminating exclusionary discipline for non-violent offenses; and (B) Encouraging schools to adopt restorative justice discipline practices. (c) The department shall develop guidelines and standards for alternatives to exclusionary discipline practices based on the findings of the review required under subsection (b). (d) The department shall present its findings and a written report to the education committee of the senate, the education administration and planning committee of the house of representatives, and the education instruction and programs committee of the house of representatives no later than May 1, 2018. (e) After submission of the report required in subsection (d), the department shall develop a model policy for alternatives to exclusionary discipline practices that districts may adopt for students in pre-kindergarten through kindergarten (pre-K-K). If a district does not adopt the model policy developed by the department, the district shall develop and implement a policy that meets the guidelines and standards developed under subsection (c). Each LEA shall adopt the model policy or develop their own policy prior to the 2018-2019 school year. Added by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 204, s 1, eff. 4/27/2017.
(a) The department of education, in consultation with juvenile court officials, shall review all current laws and policies related to exclusionary discipline practices in public schools for students in pre-kindergarten through kindergarten (pre-K-K). For purposes of this section, "exclusionary discipline" means any type of school disciplinary action that removes or excludes a student from the student's traditional educational setting.
(b) The review shall: (1) Examine the number of exclusionary discipline actions issued by an LEA and the length of each respective disciplinary action; (2) Detail the type of offenses committed by the students that led to the exclusionary discipline action; (3) Review the impact exclusionary discipline has on students; (4) Examine recommendations from lawmakers, juvenile court officials, judges, district attorneys, the Tennessee commission on children and youth, and representatives from LEAs on alternatives to exclusionary discipline; (5) Identify free resources to support teachers and parents in addressing children's social, emotional, and behavioral health, strengthening family relationships, and increasing developmental and behavioral screening; and (6) Research the possibility of: (A) Eliminating exclusionary discipline for non-violent offenses; and (B) Encouraging schools to adopt restorative justice discipline practices.
(1) Examine the number of exclusionary discipline actions issued by an LEA and the length of each respective disciplinary action;
(2) Detail the type of offenses committed by the students that led to the exclusionary discipline action;
(3) Review the impact exclusionary discipline has on students;
(4) Examine recommendations from lawmakers, juvenile court officials, judges, district attorneys, the Tennessee commission on children and youth, and representatives from LEAs on alternatives to exclusionary discipline;
(5) Identify free resources to support teachers and parents in addressing children's social, emotional, and behavioral health, strengthening family relationships, and increasing developmental and behavioral screening; and
(6) Research the possibility of: (A) Eliminating exclusionary discipline for non-violent offenses; and (B) Encouraging schools to adopt restorative justice discipline practices.
(A) Eliminating exclusionary discipline for non-violent offenses; and
(B) Encouraging schools to adopt restorative justice discipline practices.
(c) The department shall develop guidelines and standards for alternatives to exclusionary discipline practices based on the findings of the review required under subsection (b).
(d) The department shall present its findings and a written report to the education committee of the senate, the education administration and planning committee of the house of representatives, and the education instruction and programs committee of the house of representatives no later than May 1, 2018.
(e) After submission of the report required in subsection (d), the department shall develop a model policy for alternatives to exclusionary discipline practices that districts may adopt for students in pre-kindergarten through kindergarten (pre-K-K). If a district does not adopt the model policy developed by the department, the district shall develop and implement a policy that meets the guidelines and standards developed under subsection (c). Each LEA shall adopt the model policy or develop their own policy prior to the 2018-2019 school year.
Added by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 204, s 1, eff. 4/27/2017.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-4-932 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 49-4-932
Lottery scholarship day to inform students and parents of financial assistance available from lottery proceeds
Status: in_force

(a) TSAC may conduct a lottery scholarship day each school year. The purpose of the lottery scholarship day shall be to inform high school students and their parents of financial assistance available from net lottery proceeds for attendance at eligible postsecondary institutions. The Tennessee higher education commission, the University of Tennessee system and the state university and community college system shall provide assistance to TSAC in planning and conducting the event. TSAC may also seek assistance from community groups, churches and the eligible independent postsecondary institutions in the planning and conducting of an annual lottery scholarship day and in encouraging students and parents to attend. (b) TSAC shall enlist the assistance of the department of education, LEAs, and local schools in informing students on its lottery scholarship day of HOPE scholarship eligibility requirements. (c) At the conclusion of any lottery scholarship day conducted by TSAC, TSAC shall provide to the high school a list of the school's students who attended the day. (d) (1) TSAC, with the assistance of the department of education, shall develop and provide grade appropriate information concerning, but not limited to: (A) Eligibility requirements for the various lottery scholarships; (B) Admission standards for eligible postsecondary institutions, the differences between the standards and the eligibility requirements for scholarships, and the differences in admission standards among the eligible postsecondary institutions; (C) Computation of grade point averages for lottery scholarship eligibility, both high school grade point averages for initial eligibility, and college grade point averages for retention of scholarships; and (D) Testing dates for the ACT and SAT, the differences between these tests, and the use of the tests in admission decisions by eligible postsecondary institutions. (2) The information provided for in subdivision (d)(1) shall be provided to students on any lottery scholarship day conducted by TSAC and to the department of education for dissemination to schools conducting lottery scholarship days. (e) TSAC shall provide a summary of the information required to be developed under subsection (d) in a format suitable for inclusion in student handbooks to the department of education for dissemination to schools educating students in grades eight through twelve (8-12). The schools shall include the information in school handbooks together with community-specific information concerning tutoring and test-taking development in subjects covered by the ACT and SAT examinations, college preparatory and advanced placement courses provided by high schools in the LEA and the importance of early planning for college. TSAC shall annually update the summary of information to be included in student handbooks. (f) Each school year, before students in grades eight through eleven (8-11) schedule their courses for the following school year, each school educating the students shall conduct at least one (1) lottery scholarship day for students and their parents. On lottery scholarship day, the eligibility requirements for lottery scholarships shall be discussed with students and their parents and the information required to be developed under subsection (d) shall be given to students and their parents. Additionally, each school shall provide community-specific information to students and their parents regarding opportunities for tutoring and test-taking skills development in subjects covered by the ACT and SAT examinations, after-school educational enrichment programs, the academic value of enrollment and success in college preparatory and advanced placement courses in high school and the importance of early providence and planning for future college participation. Each school shall inform students on lottery scholarship day of the necessity of passing Gateway tests for graduation from high school and the consequences of failure to pass the tests with respect to further educational opportunities. (g) Each high school shall provide workshops on completing college admissions and financial aid applications for tenth through twelfth grade students and their parents. Considerable attention shall be given to providing guidance to twelfth grade students and their parents at the workshops. The workshops may be conducted in conjunction with the school's lottery scholarship day. (h) Parents of students in grades eight through eleven (8-11) shall acknowledge that they have received the information concerning lottery scholarships that is required to be provided under this section when they sign students' course schedules for the following school year. (i) Before June 1 each year, each LEA shall report to the department of education when each school's lottery scholarship day was conducted, the number of students participating, the percentage of students participating in each grade and the activities that occurred during that day. LEAs shall also report when each school conducted college admissions workshops, the number of students participating, the percentage of students participating in each grade and the activities that occurred at such workshops. The department of education shall compile and evaluate the data collected from the LEAs and submit a report concerning lottery scholarship days and college admission workshops to the education committees of the senate and of the house of representatives before October 1 of each year. (j) The administrative costs incurred by the department of education and TSAC in administering the programs established by this section, which provides information to students about lottery scholarships consistent with the Constitution of Tennessee, Article XI, § 5 shall be funded from the lottery for education account created by § 4-51-111 . (k) The Tennessee higher education commission, the University of Tennessee system, and the state university and community college system may also provide information on financial assistance available from net lottery proceeds for attendance at eligible postsecondary institutions in the normal course of their business of development and recruitment of Tennessee students. Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 167, s 1, eff. 4/16/2013. Acts 2005, ch. 481, § 28; 2006, ch. 909, § 1; 2009 , ch. 262, § 4.
(a) TSAC may conduct a lottery scholarship day each school year. The purpose of the lottery scholarship day shall be to inform high school students and their parents of financial assistance available from net lottery proceeds for attendance at eligible postsecondary institutions. The Tennessee higher education commission, the University of Tennessee system and the state university and community college system shall provide assistance to TSAC in planning and conducting the event. TSAC may also seek assistance from community groups, churches and the eligible independent postsecondary institutions in the planning and conducting of an annual lottery scholarship day and in encouraging students and parents to attend.
(b) TSAC shall enlist the assistance of the department of education, LEAs, and local schools in informing students on its lottery scholarship day of HOPE scholarship eligibility requirements.
(c) At the conclusion of any lottery scholarship day conducted by TSAC, TSAC shall provide to the high school a list of the school's students who attended the day.
(d) (1) TSAC, with the assistance of the department of education, shall develop and provide grade appropriate information concerning, but not limited to: (A) Eligibility requirements for the various lottery scholarships; (B) Admission standards for eligible postsecondary institutions, the differences between the standards and the eligibility requirements for scholarships, and the differences in admission standards among the eligible postsecondary institutions; (C) Computation of grade point averages for lottery scholarship eligibility, both high school grade point averages for initial eligibility, and college grade point averages for retention of scholarships; and (D) Testing dates for the ACT and SAT, the differences between these tests, and the use of the tests in admission decisions by eligible postsecondary institutions. (2) The information provided for in subdivision (d)(1) shall be provided to students on any lottery scholarship day conducted by TSAC and to the department of education for dissemination to schools conducting lottery scholarship days.
(1) TSAC, with the assistance of the department of education, shall develop and provide grade appropriate information concerning, but not limited to: (A) Eligibility requirements for the various lottery scholarships; (B) Admission standards for eligible postsecondary institutions, the differences between the standards and the eligibility requirements for scholarships, and the differences in admission standards among the eligible postsecondary institutions; (C) Computation of grade point averages for lottery scholarship eligibility, both high school grade point averages for initial eligibility, and college grade point averages for retention of scholarships; and (D) Testing dates for the ACT and SAT, the differences between these tests, and the use of the tests in admission decisions by eligible postsecondary institutions.
(A) Eligibility requirements for the various lottery scholarships;
(B) Admission standards for eligible postsecondary institutions, the differences between the standards and the eligibility requirements for scholarships, and the differences in admission standards among the eligible postsecondary institutions;
(C) Computation of grade point averages for lottery scholarship eligibility, both high school grade point averages for initial eligibility, and college grade point averages for retention of scholarships; and
(D) Testing dates for the ACT and SAT, the differences between these tests, and the use of the tests in admission decisions by eligible postsecondary institutions.
(2) The information provided for in subdivision (d)(1) shall be provided to students on any lottery scholarship day conducted by TSAC and to the department of education for dissemination to schools conducting lottery scholarship days.
(e) TSAC shall provide a summary of the information required to be developed under subsection (d) in a format suitable for inclusion in student handbooks to the department of education for dissemination to schools educating students in grades eight through twelve (8-12). The schools shall include the information in school handbooks together with community-specific information concerning tutoring and test-taking development in subjects covered by the ACT and SAT examinations, college preparatory and advanced placement courses provided by high schools in the LEA and the importance of early planning for college. TSAC shall annually update the summary of information to be included in student handbooks.
(f) Each school year, before students in grades eight through eleven (8-11) schedule their courses for the following school year, each school educating the students shall conduct at least one (1) lottery scholarship day for students and their parents. On lottery scholarship day, the eligibility requirements for lottery scholarships shall be discussed with students and their parents and the information required to be developed under subsection (d) shall be given to students and their parents. Additionally, each school shall provide community-specific information to students and their parents regarding opportunities for tutoring and test-taking skills development in subjects covered by the ACT and SAT examinations, after-school educational enrichment programs, the academic value of enrollment and success in college preparatory and advanced placement courses in high school and the importance of early providence and planning for future college participation. Each school shall inform students on lottery scholarship day of the necessity of passing Gateway tests for graduation from high school and the consequences of failure to pass the tests with respect to further educational opportunities.
(g) Each high school shall provide workshops on completing college admissions and financial aid applications for tenth through twelfth grade students and their parents. Considerable attention shall be given to providing guidance to twelfth grade students and their parents at the workshops. The workshops may be conducted in conjunction with the school's lottery scholarship day.
(h) Parents of students in grades eight through eleven (8-11) shall acknowledge that they have received the information concerning lottery scholarships that is required to be provided under this section when they sign students' course schedules for the following school year.
(i) Before June 1 each year, each LEA shall report to the department of education when each school's lottery scholarship day was conducted, the number of students participating, the percentage of students participating in each grade and the activities that occurred during that day. LEAs shall also report when each school conducted college admissions workshops, the number of students participating, the percentage of students participating in each grade and the activities that occurred at such workshops. The department of education shall compile and evaluate the data collected from the LEAs and submit a report concerning lottery scholarship days and college admission workshops to the education committees of the senate and of the house of representatives before October 1 of each year.
(j) The administrative costs incurred by the department of education and TSAC in administering the programs established by this section, which provides information to students about lottery scholarships consistent with the Constitution of Tennessee, Article XI, § 5 shall be funded from the lottery for education account created by § 4-51-111 .
(k) The Tennessee higher education commission, the University of Tennessee system, and the state university and community college system may also provide information on financial assistance available from net lottery proceeds for attendance at eligible postsecondary institutions in the normal course of their business of development and recruitment of Tennessee students.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 167, s 1, eff. 4/16/2013.
Acts 2005, ch. 481, § 28; 2006, ch. 909, § 1; 2009 , ch. 262, § 4.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-311 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-311
Instruction provided to student who is identified for intervention through response to instruction and intervention (RTI2)
Status: in_force

The instruction provided to a student who is identified for intervention through the response to instruction and intervention (RTI 2 ) framework developed by the department of education must be determined by the student's LEA, based on the individual student's needs. This section does not prohibit the department from using universal screeners or other assessments to measure student performance throughout the school year or at designated benchmarks. Added by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 57, s 1, eff. 3/29/2021.
The instruction provided to a student who is identified for intervention through the response to instruction and intervention (RTI 2 ) framework developed by the department of education must be determined by the student's LEA, based on the individual student's needs. This section does not prohibit the department from using universal screeners or other assessments to measure student performance throughout the school year or at designated benchmarks.
Added by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 57, s 1, eff. 3/29/2021.