Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1907 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 49-7-1907
Tennessee Higher Education Freedom of Expression and Transparency Act
Status: in_force

(a) The general assembly finds that: (1) Freedom of expression and inquiry at public institutions of higher education are indispensable to the pursuit of educational excellence and the furtherance of the ordered individual liberty established in our nation's founding documents; (2) Public institutions of higher education have a duty to promote and defend freedom of expression and inquiry, and educate students on the individual liberties established in our nation's founding documents; (3) Public institutions of higher education should seek and foster intellectual diversity among administrators, faculty, students, and employees; (4) Positively or negatively incentivizing, informally pressuring, indoctrinating, or otherwise compelling students or employees of a public institution of higher education to embrace divisive concepts is contrary to the mutual respect and collegial processes essential to the free exchange of ideas; (5) Measures taken to ensure non-discrimination cannot be allowed to undermine the principles of merit and excellence in the core activities of public institutions of higher education; (6) Institutional transparency and the implementation of § 49-7-1903 will help limit the potential risk of diminished excellence from our great institutions; and (7) Public medical institutions of higher education best serve the state when providing meritorious education and training that positions future healthcare professionals to serve all patients adequately and to the best of their ability. (b) (1) (A) A student or employee of a public institution of higher education who believes that a violation of § 49-7-1903 has occurred may file a report of the alleged violation with the institution. (B) An institution shall investigate a report filed pursuant to subdivision (b)(1)(A) in a timely manner and shall take the appropriate steps to correct any violation that is found to have occurred. (C) (i) Each institution shall report the results of each investigation to the comptroller of the treasury no later than ten (10) days after the investigation is completed. The report must: (a) Describe the general nature of the complaint; (b) State whether the allegations in the complaint were substantiated by the institution's investigation; and (c) Detail the corrective actions the institution is taking to prevent such violations in the future. (ii) A report submitted to the comptroller must be redacted if necessary to ensure compliance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ( 20 U.S.C. § 1232g ); § 10-7-504 ; and all other relevant privacy laws. (D) An institution shall update the comptroller no less than once every thirty (30) days as to the status of an investigation being conducted by the institution regarding a report alleging a violation of § 49-7-1903 . (2) If the comptroller finds that an institution has failed to timely investigate a report alleging a violation of § 49-7-1903 , has failed to timely report the results of an investigation to the comptroller, or has failed to take the corrective actions reported to the comptroller, then the comptroller shall notify the institution and the joint government operations committee in writing of the institution's noncompliance, and the respective institution must appear before the joint government operations committee no later than sixty (60) days from the date of the comptroller's written notice to report on the institution's noncompliance. (3) If the comptroller receives more than ten (10) reports from an institution in any one (1) academic year pursuant to subdivision (b)(1)(C) that each independently allege a separate and distinct violation of § 49-7-1903 , then the comptroller shall report the same to the education committee of the senate and the education administration committee of the house of representatives. (4) An individual is not required to file a report with the institution pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) before the individual may pursue any equitable or legal remedies that may be available to the individual in a court of competent jurisdiction as provided in § 49-7-1903 . (c) (1) Subject to appropriate constitutional time, place, and manner restrictions in accordance with applicable law, for purposes of approving or scheduling usage of the institution's property, an institution shall not show bias or favoritism for or against: (A) A student group that is peaceful and requests to use the institution's property in a peaceful and lawful manner; (B) A guest speaker's, or a guest speaker's student-sponsoring group's, viewpoint, race, creed, color, religion, non-violent political ideology, or non-violent political party affiliation; or (C) A student group that, or a guest speaker who, intends to maintain a peaceful campus presence and peaceful use of the institution's property on grounds that the institution has received threatened simple breaches of the peace or non-destructive disruptions from groups or individuals who oppose the student group's or guest speaker's presence on campus. (2) A public institution of higher education shall not: (A) Require a student group to pay fees or security deposits that are not charged to all other student groups; or (B) Deny a student group access to the institution's property if the property is routinely used by other student groups. (3) Notwithstanding subdivision (c)(1), a public institution of higher education may restrict or deny use of the institution's property for public displays, organized public gatherings, or public demonstrations if the display, gathering, or demonstration would violate § 39-17-902 or § 49-7-2405 . Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 815,s 2, eff. 7/1/2024. Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 268, s 2, eff. 7/1/2023.
(a) The general assembly finds that: (1) Freedom of expression and inquiry at public institutions of higher education are indispensable to the pursuit of educational excellence and the furtherance of the ordered individual liberty established in our nation's founding documents; (2) Public institutions of higher education have a duty to promote and defend freedom of expression and inquiry, and educate students on the individual liberties established in our nation's founding documents; (3) Public institutions of higher education should seek and foster intellectual diversity among administrators, faculty, students, and employees; (4) Positively or negatively incentivizing, informally pressuring, indoctrinating, or otherwise compelling students or employees of a public institution of higher education to embrace divisive concepts is contrary to the mutual respect and collegial processes essential to the free exchange of ideas; (5) Measures taken to ensure non-discrimination cannot be allowed to undermine the principles of merit and excellence in the core activities of public institutions of higher education; (6) Institutional transparency and the implementation of § 49-7-1903 will help limit the potential risk of diminished excellence from our great institutions; and (7) Public medical institutions of higher education best serve the state when providing meritorious education and training that positions future healthcare professionals to serve all patients adequately and to the best of their ability.
(1) Freedom of expression and inquiry at public institutions of higher education are indispensable to the pursuit of educational excellence and the furtherance of the ordered individual liberty established in our nation's founding documents;
(2) Public institutions of higher education have a duty to promote and defend freedom of expression and inquiry, and educate students on the individual liberties established in our nation's founding documents;
(3) Public institutions of higher education should seek and foster intellectual diversity among administrators, faculty, students, and employees;
(4) Positively or negatively incentivizing, informally pressuring, indoctrinating, or otherwise compelling students or employees of a public institution of higher education to embrace divisive concepts is contrary to the mutual respect and collegial processes essential to the free exchange of ideas;
(5) Measures taken to ensure non-discrimination cannot be allowed to undermine the principles of merit and excellence in the core activities of public institutions of higher education;
(6) Institutional transparency and the implementation of § 49-7-1903 will help limit the potential risk of diminished excellence from our great institutions; and
(7) Public medical institutions of higher education best serve the state when providing meritorious education and training that positions future healthcare professionals to serve all patients adequately and to the best of their ability.
(b) (1) (A) A student or employee of a public institution of higher education who believes that a violation of § 49-7-1903 has occurred may file a report of the alleged violation with the institution. (B) An institution shall investigate a report filed pursuant to subdivision (b)(1)(A) in a timely manner and shall take the appropriate steps to correct any violation that is found to have occurred. (C) (i) Each institution shall report the results of each investigation to the comptroller of the treasury no later than ten (10) days after the investigation is completed. The report must: (a) Describe the general nature of the complaint; (b) State whether the allegations in the complaint were substantiated by the institution's investigation; and (c) Detail the corrective actions the institution is taking to prevent such violations in the future. (ii) A report submitted to the comptroller must be redacted if necessary to ensure compliance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ( 20 U.S.C. § 1232g ); § 10-7-504 ; and all other relevant privacy laws. (D) An institution shall update the comptroller no less than once every thirty (30) days as to the status of an investigation being conducted by the institution regarding a report alleging a violation of § 49-7-1903 . (2) If the comptroller finds that an institution has failed to timely investigate a report alleging a violation of § 49-7-1903 , has failed to timely report the results of an investigation to the comptroller, or has failed to take the corrective actions reported to the comptroller, then the comptroller shall notify the institution and the joint government operations committee in writing of the institution's noncompliance, and the respective institution must appear before the joint government operations committee no later than sixty (60) days from the date of the comptroller's written notice to report on the institution's noncompliance. (3) If the comptroller receives more than ten (10) reports from an institution in any one (1) academic year pursuant to subdivision (b)(1)(C) that each independently allege a separate and distinct violation of § 49-7-1903 , then the comptroller shall report the same to the education committee of the senate and the education administration committee of the house of representatives. (4) An individual is not required to file a report with the institution pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) before the individual may pursue any equitable or legal remedies that may be available to the individual in a court of competent jurisdiction as provided in § 49-7-1903 .
(1) (A) A student or employee of a public institution of higher education who believes that a violation of § 49-7-1903 has occurred may file a report of the alleged violation with the institution. (B) An institution shall investigate a report filed pursuant to subdivision (b)(1)(A) in a timely manner and shall take the appropriate steps to correct any violation that is found to have occurred. (C) (i) Each institution shall report the results of each investigation to the comptroller of the treasury no later than ten (10) days after the investigation is completed. The report must: (a) Describe the general nature of the complaint; (b) State whether the allegations in the complaint were substantiated by the institution's investigation; and (c) Detail the corrective actions the institution is taking to prevent such violations in the future. (ii) A report submitted to the comptroller must be redacted if necessary to ensure compliance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ( 20 U.S.C. § 1232g ); § 10-7-504 ; and all other relevant privacy laws. (D) An institution shall update the comptroller no less than once every thirty (30) days as to the status of an investigation being conducted by the institution regarding a report alleging a violation of § 49-7-1903 .
(A) A student or employee of a public institution of higher education who believes that a violation of § 49-7-1903 has occurred may file a report of the alleged violation with the institution.
(B) An institution shall investigate a report filed pursuant to subdivision (b)(1)(A) in a timely manner and shall take the appropriate steps to correct any violation that is found to have occurred.
(C) (i) Each institution shall report the results of each investigation to the comptroller of the treasury no later than ten (10) days after the investigation is completed. The report must: (a) Describe the general nature of the complaint; (b) State whether the allegations in the complaint were substantiated by the institution's investigation; and (c) Detail the corrective actions the institution is taking to prevent such violations in the future. (ii) A report submitted to the comptroller must be redacted if necessary to ensure compliance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ( 20 U.S.C. § 1232g ); § 10-7-504 ; and all other relevant privacy laws.
(i) Each institution shall report the results of each investigation to the comptroller of the treasury no later than ten (10) days after the investigation is completed. The report must: (a) Describe the general nature of the complaint; (b) State whether the allegations in the complaint were substantiated by the institution's investigation; and (c) Detail the corrective actions the institution is taking to prevent such violations in the future.
(a) Describe the general nature of the complaint;
(b) State whether the allegations in the complaint were substantiated by the institution's investigation; and
(c) Detail the corrective actions the institution is taking to prevent such violations in the future.
(ii) A report submitted to the comptroller must be redacted if necessary to ensure compliance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ( 20 U.S.C. § 1232g ); § 10-7-504 ; and all other relevant privacy laws.
(D) An institution shall update the comptroller no less than once every thirty (30) days as to the status of an investigation being conducted by the institution regarding a report alleging a violation of § 49-7-1903 .
(2) If the comptroller finds that an institution has failed to timely investigate a report alleging a violation of § 49-7-1903 , has failed to timely report the results of an investigation to the comptroller, or has failed to take the corrective actions reported to the comptroller, then the comptroller shall notify the institution and the joint government operations committee in writing of the institution's noncompliance, and the respective institution must appear before the joint government operations committee no later than sixty (60) days from the date of the comptroller's written notice to report on the institution's noncompliance.
(3) If the comptroller receives more than ten (10) reports from an institution in any one (1) academic year pursuant to subdivision (b)(1)(C) that each independently allege a separate and distinct violation of § 49-7-1903 , then the comptroller shall report the same to the education committee of the senate and the education administration committee of the house of representatives.
(4) An individual is not required to file a report with the institution pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) before the individual may pursue any equitable or legal remedies that may be available to the individual in a court of competent jurisdiction as provided in § 49-7-1903 .
(c) (1) Subject to appropriate constitutional time, place, and manner restrictions in accordance with applicable law, for purposes of approving or scheduling usage of the institution's property, an institution shall not show bias or favoritism for or against: (A) A student group that is peaceful and requests to use the institution's property in a peaceful and lawful manner; (B) A guest speaker's, or a guest speaker's student-sponsoring group's, viewpoint, race, creed, color, religion, non-violent political ideology, or non-violent political party affiliation; or (C) A student group that, or a guest speaker who, intends to maintain a peaceful campus presence and peaceful use of the institution's property on grounds that the institution has received threatened simple breaches of the peace or non-destructive disruptions from groups or individuals who oppose the student group's or guest speaker's presence on campus. (2) A public institution of higher education shall not: (A) Require a student group to pay fees or security deposits that are not charged to all other student groups; or (B) Deny a student group access to the institution's property if the property is routinely used by other student groups. (3) Notwithstanding subdivision (c)(1), a public institution of higher education may restrict or deny use of the institution's property for public displays, organized public gatherings, or public demonstrations if the display, gathering, or demonstration would violate § 39-17-902 or § 49-7-2405 .
(1) Subject to appropriate constitutional time, place, and manner restrictions in accordance with applicable law, for purposes of approving or scheduling usage of the institution's property, an institution shall not show bias or favoritism for or against: (A) A student group that is peaceful and requests to use the institution's property in a peaceful and lawful manner; (B) A guest speaker's, or a guest speaker's student-sponsoring group's, viewpoint, race, creed, color, religion, non-violent political ideology, or non-violent political party affiliation; or (C) A student group that, or a guest speaker who, intends to maintain a peaceful campus presence and peaceful use of the institution's property on grounds that the institution has received threatened simple breaches of the peace or non-destructive disruptions from groups or individuals who oppose the student group's or guest speaker's presence on campus.
(A) A student group that is peaceful and requests to use the institution's property in a peaceful and lawful manner;
(B) A guest speaker's, or a guest speaker's student-sponsoring group's, viewpoint, race, creed, color, religion, non-violent political ideology, or non-violent political party affiliation; or
(C) A student group that, or a guest speaker who, intends to maintain a peaceful campus presence and peaceful use of the institution's property on grounds that the institution has received threatened simple breaches of the peace or non-destructive disruptions from groups or individuals who oppose the student group's or guest speaker's presence on campus.
(2) A public institution of higher education shall not: (A) Require a student group to pay fees or security deposits that are not charged to all other student groups; or (B) Deny a student group access to the institution's property if the property is routinely used by other student groups.
(A) Require a student group to pay fees or security deposits that are not charged to all other student groups; or
(B) Deny a student group access to the institution's property if the property is routinely used by other student groups.
(3) Notwithstanding subdivision (c)(1), a public institution of higher education may restrict or deny use of the institution's property for public displays, organized public gatherings, or public demonstrations if the display, gathering, or demonstration would violate § 39-17-902 or § 49-7-2405 .
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 815,s 2, eff. 7/1/2024.
Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 268, s 2, eff. 7/1/2023.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-50-1308 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 50 / Section 49-50-1308
[Repealed]
Status: repealed

Repealed by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 932, s 1, eff. 7/1/2018. Acts 1986, ch. 801, § 8.
Repealed by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 932, s 1, eff. 7/1/2018.
Acts 1986, ch. 801, § 8.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-1022 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-1022
School health program - School health coordinator and specialist in physical education
Status: in_force

(a) Each LEA is authorized to implement a coordinated school health program under the guidelines developed by the commissioner of education, in consultation with the department of health, pursuant to § 49-1-1002 , during the 2006-2007 school year, and shall implement the program by the 2007-2008 school year. (b) To assist with the implementation and support of coordinated school health programs, there are created in the department of education the positions of school health coordinator and specialist in physical education. The school health coordinator shall coordinate and oversee the implementation of coordinated school health programs in LEAs, provide continuing support for coordinated school health programs and perform other duties that may be assigned by the commissioner. The specialist in physical education shall serve as a resource and support person for any LEA with regard to implementation of physical education programs, provide information to LEAs relating to physical education and relating to professional development for physical education instructors and perform other duties that may be assigned by the commissioner. Acts 2006, ch. 1001, § 2.
(a) Each LEA is authorized to implement a coordinated school health program under the guidelines developed by the commissioner of education, in consultation with the department of health, pursuant to § 49-1-1002 , during the 2006-2007 school year, and shall implement the program by the 2007-2008 school year.
(b) To assist with the implementation and support of coordinated school health programs, there are created in the department of education the positions of school health coordinator and specialist in physical education. The school health coordinator shall coordinate and oversee the implementation of coordinated school health programs in LEAs, provide continuing support for coordinated school health programs and perform other duties that may be assigned by the commissioner. The specialist in physical education shall serve as a resource and support person for any LEA with regard to implementation of physical education programs, provide information to LEAs relating to physical education and relating to professional development for physical education instructors and perform other duties that may be assigned by the commissioner.
Acts 2006, ch. 1001, § 2.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-502 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 49-2-502
Transfer of administration - Transition plans
Status: in_force

(a) The school board, school commissioners, school trustees or other duly constituted administrative officials of any special school district are authorized and empowered to transfer the administration of the schools in the special school district to the county board of education of the county in which the special school district is located. Before a transfer is effectuated, however, a referendum shall first be conducted on the subject, and the school system of the special school district shall not be transferred to the county unless a majority of the voters who cast votes in the referendum vote in favor of the transfer. The referendum shall be held by the county election commission when requested by the school board of the special school district, and the expenses of the election shall be paid from the funds of the special school district. (b) (1) Notwithstanding subsection (a) or any other law to the contrary, if the proposed transfer of the administration of the schools in the special school district to the county board of education would result in an increase in student enrollment within the county school system of one hundred percent (100%) or more, and if a majority of the voters who cast votes in the referendum vote in favor of the transfer, then a comprehensive transition plan shall be developed, and the transfer shall take effect at the beginning of the third, full school year immediately following certification of the election results. (2) The comprehensive transition plan shall be developed by a transition planning commission. The transition plan shall consider and provide for each of the matters set forth in §§ 49-2-1201(i) and 49-2-1204 . Prior to its implementation, the transition plan shall be submitted to the department of education for review and comments. The transition planning commission shall consist of twenty-one (21) members, as follows: (A) The county mayor, the chair of the county board of education and the chair of the board of education of the special school district shall serve as ex officio members of the commission; (B) The county mayor, the chair of the county board of education and the chair of the board of education of the special school district shall each appoint five (5) competent citizens to serve as members of the transition planning commission; and (C) The governor, the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall jointly appoint three (3) competent citizens to also serve as members of the transition commission. (3) From and after the effective date of the transfer of the administration of the schools in the special school district to the county board of education, the restrictions imposed on the creation of municipal school districts, in § 6-58-112(b) [see the Compiler's Notes], and special school districts, in § 49-2-501(b)(2) , shall no longer apply in such county. Acts 1947 ch. 145, § 2; 1949, ch. 40, § 2; C. Supp. 1950, § 2397.3 (Williams, § 2397.2); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 49-403; Acts 2011 , ch. 1, § 1.
(a) The school board, school commissioners, school trustees or other duly constituted administrative officials of any special school district are authorized and empowered to transfer the administration of the schools in the special school district to the county board of education of the county in which the special school district is located. Before a transfer is effectuated, however, a referendum shall first be conducted on the subject, and the school system of the special school district shall not be transferred to the county unless a majority of the voters who cast votes in the referendum vote in favor of the transfer. The referendum shall be held by the county election commission when requested by the school board of the special school district, and the expenses of the election shall be paid from the funds of the special school district.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding subsection (a) or any other law to the contrary, if the proposed transfer of the administration of the schools in the special school district to the county board of education would result in an increase in student enrollment within the county school system of one hundred percent (100%) or more, and if a majority of the voters who cast votes in the referendum vote in favor of the transfer, then a comprehensive transition plan shall be developed, and the transfer shall take effect at the beginning of the third, full school year immediately following certification of the election results. (2) The comprehensive transition plan shall be developed by a transition planning commission. The transition plan shall consider and provide for each of the matters set forth in §§ 49-2-1201(i) and 49-2-1204 . Prior to its implementation, the transition plan shall be submitted to the department of education for review and comments. The transition planning commission shall consist of twenty-one (21) members, as follows: (A) The county mayor, the chair of the county board of education and the chair of the board of education of the special school district shall serve as ex officio members of the commission; (B) The county mayor, the chair of the county board of education and the chair of the board of education of the special school district shall each appoint five (5) competent citizens to serve as members of the transition planning commission; and (C) The governor, the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall jointly appoint three (3) competent citizens to also serve as members of the transition commission. (3) From and after the effective date of the transfer of the administration of the schools in the special school district to the county board of education, the restrictions imposed on the creation of municipal school districts, in § 6-58-112(b) [see the Compiler's Notes], and special school districts, in § 49-2-501(b)(2) , shall no longer apply in such county.
(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a) or any other law to the contrary, if the proposed transfer of the administration of the schools in the special school district to the county board of education would result in an increase in student enrollment within the county school system of one hundred percent (100%) or more, and if a majority of the voters who cast votes in the referendum vote in favor of the transfer, then a comprehensive transition plan shall be developed, and the transfer shall take effect at the beginning of the third, full school year immediately following certification of the election results.
(2) The comprehensive transition plan shall be developed by a transition planning commission. The transition plan shall consider and provide for each of the matters set forth in §§ 49-2-1201(i) and 49-2-1204 . Prior to its implementation, the transition plan shall be submitted to the department of education for review and comments. The transition planning commission shall consist of twenty-one (21) members, as follows: (A) The county mayor, the chair of the county board of education and the chair of the board of education of the special school district shall serve as ex officio members of the commission; (B) The county mayor, the chair of the county board of education and the chair of the board of education of the special school district shall each appoint five (5) competent citizens to serve as members of the transition planning commission; and (C) The governor, the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall jointly appoint three (3) competent citizens to also serve as members of the transition commission.
(A) The county mayor, the chair of the county board of education and the chair of the board of education of the special school district shall serve as ex officio members of the commission;
(B) The county mayor, the chair of the county board of education and the chair of the board of education of the special school district shall each appoint five (5) competent citizens to serve as members of the transition planning commission; and
(C) The governor, the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall jointly appoint three (3) competent citizens to also serve as members of the transition commission.
(3) From and after the effective date of the transfer of the administration of the schools in the special school district to the county board of education, the restrictions imposed on the creation of municipal school districts, in § 6-58-112(b) [see the Compiler's Notes], and special school districts, in § 49-2-501(b)(2) , shall no longer apply in such county.
Acts 1947 ch. 145, § 2; 1949, ch. 40, § 2; C. Supp. 1950, § 2397.3 (Williams, § 2397.2); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 49-403; Acts 2011 , ch. 1, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-5-503 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 49-5-503
Tenure
Status: in_force

Any teacher who meets all of the following requirements is eligible for "tenure": (1) Has a degree from an approved four-year college or any career and technical teacher who has the equivalent amount of training established and licensed by the state board of education; (2) Holds a valid teacher license, issued by the state board of education, based on training covering the subjects or grades taught; (3) Has completed a probationary period of five (5) school years or not less than forty-five (45) months within the last seven-year period, the last two (2) years being employed in a regular teaching position rather than an interim teaching position; (4) Has received evaluations demonstrating a level of overall effectiveness of "above expectations" or "significantly above expectations" as provided in the evaluation guidelines and rules adopted by the state board of education pursuant to § 49-1-302 , during the last two (2) years of the probationary period; provided, however, that a teacher who has met all other requirements for tenure eligibility but has not acquired an official evaluation score during the last one (1) or two (2) years of the probationary period due to an approved extended leave; transfer to another school or position within the school district; unavailable data due to the cancellation of Tennessee comprehensive assessment program (TCAP) tests as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; or invalidated data due to a successful local level evaluation grievance pursuant to § 49-1-302(d)(2)(A) may utilize the most recent two (2) years of available evaluation scores achieved during the probationary period to meet this subdivision (4); and (5) Is reemployed by the director of schools for service after the probationary period. Amended by 2021EX1 Tenn. Acts, ch. 2, s 13, eff. 2/3/2021. Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 158, s 6, eff. 4/16/2015. Acts 1951, ch. 76, § 3 (Williams, § 2345.3); modified; Acts 1971, ch. 22, §§ 1, 2; 1977, ch. 33, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 49-1402; Acts 1987, ch. 308, § 25; 2011 , ch. 70, § 7.
Any teacher who meets all of the following requirements is eligible for "tenure":
(1) Has a degree from an approved four-year college or any career and technical teacher who has the equivalent amount of training established and licensed by the state board of education;
(2) Holds a valid teacher license, issued by the state board of education, based on training covering the subjects or grades taught;
(3) Has completed a probationary period of five (5) school years or not less than forty-five (45) months within the last seven-year period, the last two (2) years being employed in a regular teaching position rather than an interim teaching position;
(4) Has received evaluations demonstrating a level of overall effectiveness of "above expectations" or "significantly above expectations" as provided in the evaluation guidelines and rules adopted by the state board of education pursuant to § 49-1-302 , during the last two (2) years of the probationary period; provided, however, that a teacher who has met all other requirements for tenure eligibility but has not acquired an official evaluation score during the last one (1) or two (2) years of the probationary period due to an approved extended leave; transfer to another school or position within the school district; unavailable data due to the cancellation of Tennessee comprehensive assessment program (TCAP) tests as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; or invalidated data due to a successful local level evaluation grievance pursuant to § 49-1-302(d)(2)(A) may utilize the most recent two (2) years of available evaluation scores achieved during the probationary period to meet this subdivision (4); and
(5) Is reemployed by the director of schools for service after the probationary period.
Amended by 2021EX1 Tenn. Acts, ch. 2, s 13, eff. 2/3/2021.
Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 158, s 6, eff. 4/16/2015.
Acts 1951, ch. 76, § 3 (Williams, § 2345.3); modified; Acts 1971, ch. 22, §§ 1, 2; 1977, ch. 33, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 49-1402; Acts 1987, ch. 308, § 25; 2011 , ch. 70, § 7.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-1-312 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 49-1-312
Standards recommendation committee - English language arts and mathematics - Confirmation of appointments
Status: in_force

(a) There is created a standards recommendation committee. The committee shall be composed of ten (10) members. The governor shall appoint four (4) members, the speaker of the senate shall appoint three (3) members, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint three (3) members. The standards recommendation committee shall review and evaluate the recommendations of the two (2) standards review and development committees and post the recommendations to the website created pursuant to § 49-1-311(a)(3) for the purpose of gathering additional feedback from the public. (b) Gubernatorial appointments made pursuant to subsection (a) for the standards recommendation committee shall be subject to confirmation by the senate and the house of representatives, but appointments shall be effective until adversely acted upon by the senate and the house of representatives. (c) (1) The standards recommendation committee shall make the final recommendations as to the new set of standards for English language arts and mathematics to the state board of education. (2) The state board of education may adopt, reject, or make technical nonsubstantive revisions to the standards recommended by the committee, but the state board of education shall adopt a set of standards in English language arts and mathematics that fit the needs of Tennessee students in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12). Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 316, s 5, eff. 4/28/2023. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 660, s 1, eff. 3/16/2022. Added by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 423, s 1, eff. 5/11/2015.
(a) There is created a standards recommendation committee. The committee shall be composed of ten (10) members. The governor shall appoint four (4) members, the speaker of the senate shall appoint three (3) members, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint three (3) members. The standards recommendation committee shall review and evaluate the recommendations of the two (2) standards review and development committees and post the recommendations to the website created pursuant to § 49-1-311(a)(3) for the purpose of gathering additional feedback from the public.
(b) Gubernatorial appointments made pursuant to subsection (a) for the standards recommendation committee shall be subject to confirmation by the senate and the house of representatives, but appointments shall be effective until adversely acted upon by the senate and the house of representatives.
(c) (1) The standards recommendation committee shall make the final recommendations as to the new set of standards for English language arts and mathematics to the state board of education. (2) The state board of education may adopt, reject, or make technical nonsubstantive revisions to the standards recommended by the committee, but the state board of education shall adopt a set of standards in English language arts and mathematics that fit the needs of Tennessee students in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12).
(1) The standards recommendation committee shall make the final recommendations as to the new set of standards for English language arts and mathematics to the state board of education.
(2) The state board of education may adopt, reject, or make technical nonsubstantive revisions to the standards recommended by the committee, but the state board of education shall adopt a set of standards in English language arts and mathematics that fit the needs of Tennessee students in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12).
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 316, s 5, eff. 4/28/2023.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 660, s 1, eff. 3/16/2022.
Added by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 423, s 1, eff. 5/11/2015.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-18-111 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 49-18-111
[Repealed]
Status: repealed

Repealed by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 784, s 21, eff. 4/20/2018. Added by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 889, s 12, eff. 4/27/2016.
Repealed by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 784, s 21, eff. 4/20/2018.
Added by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 889, s 12, eff. 4/27/2016.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-1-314 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 49-1-314
Responsibility of LEAs in developing instructional programs under state standards
Status: in_force

Each LEA shall be responsible for developing and implementing the instructional programs under the state standards adopted by the state board that best fit its students' educational needs, that achieve levels of proficiency or advanced mastery, and that vigorously promote individual teacher creativity and autonomy. Added by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 423,s 1, eff. 5/11/2015.
Each LEA shall be responsible for developing and implementing the instructional programs under the state standards adopted by the state board that best fit its students' educational needs, that achieve levels of proficiency or advanced mastery, and that vigorously promote individual teacher creativity and autonomy.
Added by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 423,s 1, eff. 5/11/2015.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-103 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 49-2-103
County trustees - Duties
Status: in_force

(a) It is the duty of the county trustee or individual having similar responsibilities and duties in counties where such responsibilities and duties are vested in another office by law to: (1) Keep all public school funds separate and apart from all other funds coming into the trustee's or individual's hands. It is unlawful to pay out any elementary school funds for high school purposes or high school funds for elementary school purposes, or either fund for any other purpose than that for which it was levied or collected; (2) Make a settlement with the county mayor of all elementary school funds and high school funds from all sources, quarterly, within ten (10) days after the close of the quarters ending with March, June, September and December, which settlement shall include all receipts and expenditures within the quarter. This settlement shall be included in the next quarterly report of the county director of schools to the county legislative body and to the commissioner of education; (3) Make annual reports, on or before July 10 each year, to the commissioner of all receipts and expenditures of all elementary and all high school funds within the year ending June 30 preceding, on forms supplied by the commissioner; (4) Require the county director of schools to attach a voucher to every school warrant amounting to five hundred dollars ($500) or more drawn by the county board of education for any purpose other than the salaries of the supervisors and teachers, showing that the board has complied with the law requiring contracts to be let on competitive bids. Nothing in this subdivision (a)(4) shall be construed to remove the requirement of competitive bidding prior to the letting of such contracts; and (5) Make quarterly distribution of all state and county elementary school funds between the county and incorporated city or cities of the county on the basis of average daily attendance immediately after each quarterly settlement with the county mayor; provided, that the state school fund designated as the equalizing fund shall not be distributed on such basis, but shall be placed to the credit of the county elementary school fund to be disbursed by the county board of education as provided in this title. (b) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class C misdemeanor. Acts 1925, ch. 115, § 10; Shan. Supp., §§ 1487a57, 1487a58; Code 1932, §§ 2348, 2349; Acts 1963, ch. 13, § 1; 1978, ch. 926, §§ 1-3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 49-206, 49-207; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 2003, ch. 90, § 2.
(a) It is the duty of the county trustee or individual having similar responsibilities and duties in counties where such responsibilities and duties are vested in another office by law to: (1) Keep all public school funds separate and apart from all other funds coming into the trustee's or individual's hands. It is unlawful to pay out any elementary school funds for high school purposes or high school funds for elementary school purposes, or either fund for any other purpose than that for which it was levied or collected; (2) Make a settlement with the county mayor of all elementary school funds and high school funds from all sources, quarterly, within ten (10) days after the close of the quarters ending with March, June, September and December, which settlement shall include all receipts and expenditures within the quarter. This settlement shall be included in the next quarterly report of the county director of schools to the county legislative body and to the commissioner of education; (3) Make annual reports, on or before July 10 each year, to the commissioner of all receipts and expenditures of all elementary and all high school funds within the year ending June 30 preceding, on forms supplied by the commissioner; (4) Require the county director of schools to attach a voucher to every school warrant amounting to five hundred dollars ($500) or more drawn by the county board of education for any purpose other than the salaries of the supervisors and teachers, showing that the board has complied with the law requiring contracts to be let on competitive bids. Nothing in this subdivision (a)(4) shall be construed to remove the requirement of competitive bidding prior to the letting of such contracts; and (5) Make quarterly distribution of all state and county elementary school funds between the county and incorporated city or cities of the county on the basis of average daily attendance immediately after each quarterly settlement with the county mayor; provided, that the state school fund designated as the equalizing fund shall not be distributed on such basis, but shall be placed to the credit of the county elementary school fund to be disbursed by the county board of education as provided in this title.
(1) Keep all public school funds separate and apart from all other funds coming into the trustee's or individual's hands. It is unlawful to pay out any elementary school funds for high school purposes or high school funds for elementary school purposes, or either fund for any other purpose than that for which it was levied or collected;
(2) Make a settlement with the county mayor of all elementary school funds and high school funds from all sources, quarterly, within ten (10) days after the close of the quarters ending with March, June, September and December, which settlement shall include all receipts and expenditures within the quarter. This settlement shall be included in the next quarterly report of the county director of schools to the county legislative body and to the commissioner of education;
(3) Make annual reports, on or before July 10 each year, to the commissioner of all receipts and expenditures of all elementary and all high school funds within the year ending June 30 preceding, on forms supplied by the commissioner;
(4) Require the county director of schools to attach a voucher to every school warrant amounting to five hundred dollars ($500) or more drawn by the county board of education for any purpose other than the salaries of the supervisors and teachers, showing that the board has complied with the law requiring contracts to be let on competitive bids. Nothing in this subdivision (a)(4) shall be construed to remove the requirement of competitive bidding prior to the letting of such contracts; and
(5) Make quarterly distribution of all state and county elementary school funds between the county and incorporated city or cities of the county on the basis of average daily attendance immediately after each quarterly settlement with the county mayor; provided, that the state school fund designated as the equalizing fund shall not be distributed on such basis, but shall be placed to the credit of the county elementary school fund to be disbursed by the county board of education as provided in this title.
(b) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class C misdemeanor.
Acts 1925, ch. 115, § 10; Shan. Supp., §§ 1487a57, 1487a58; Code 1932, §§ 2348, 2349; Acts 1963, ch. 13, § 1; 1978, ch. 926, §§ 1-3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 49-206, 49-207; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 2003, ch. 90, § 2.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2107 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 49-7-2107
Suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew registration
Status: in_force

(a) After proper notice and an opportunity for hearing, the secretary of state may limit, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a registration of an individual registered under § 49-7-2106(a) for conduct that would have justified refusal to issue a certificate of registration under § 49-7-2106(b) . (b) After proper notice and an opportunity for hearing, the secretary of state may suspend or revoke the registration of an individual registered under § 49-7-2105(c) or renewed under § 49-7-2106(e) for any reason for which the secretary of state could have refused to grant or renew the registration, or for conduct that would justify refusal to issue a certificate of registration, under § 49-7-2106(b) . (c) A violation of this part shall be brought to the attention of the secretary of state by written complaint filed by any educational institution or student athlete aggrieved by the violation. If the secretary of state finds from the complaint that there is reasonable cause to believe a violation of this part has occurred, the secretary of state shall commence an athlete agent registration revocation or suspension proceeding. Such a proceeding shall be considered a contested case hearing and shall be conducted in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. Added by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 216, s 1, eff. 9/1/2017.
(a) After proper notice and an opportunity for hearing, the secretary of state may limit, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a registration of an individual registered under § 49-7-2106(a) for conduct that would have justified refusal to issue a certificate of registration under § 49-7-2106(b) .
(b) After proper notice and an opportunity for hearing, the secretary of state may suspend or revoke the registration of an individual registered under § 49-7-2105(c) or renewed under § 49-7-2106(e) for any reason for which the secretary of state could have refused to grant or renew the registration, or for conduct that would justify refusal to issue a certificate of registration, under § 49-7-2106(b) .
(c) A violation of this part shall be brought to the attention of the secretary of state by written complaint filed by any educational institution or student athlete aggrieved by the violation. If the secretary of state finds from the complaint that there is reasonable cause to believe a violation of this part has occurred, the secretary of state shall commence an athlete agent registration revocation or suspension proceeding. Such a proceeding shall be considered a contested case hearing and shall be conducted in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
Added by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 216, s 1, eff. 9/1/2017.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-8-1002 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 49-8-1002
Quality education - Regional technical school - Preparation of students
Status: in_force

The institution shall continue to provide high quality technical and scientific occupational programs and serve as a regional technical school to train engineering technicians for industry and prepare students to earn a living as a technician or technical worker in the fields of production, distribution or service. Acts 1989, ch. 80, § 3.
The institution shall continue to provide high quality technical and scientific occupational programs and serve as a regional technical school to train engineering technicians for industry and prepare students to earn a living as a technician or technical worker in the fields of production, distribution or service.
Acts 1989, ch. 80, § 3.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-1-601 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 49-1-601
Assignment of student for purpose of calculating graduation rate
Status: in_force

(a) A student who has not attended the same high school within an LEA for at least sixty (60) school days of the most recent school year of enrollment and who has exited high school without a regular high school diploma and without transferring to another high school that grants a regular diploma may, for the purpose of calculating graduation rate, be assigned to the high school at which the student was enrolled for the greatest proportion of school days while enrolled in grades nine through twelve (9-12) pursuant to procedures developed by the department. (b) Students that earn an alternate academic diploma pursuant to § 49-6-6001 , shall be included in the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate pursuant to procedures developed by the department. Added by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 177, s 6, eff. 4/24/2017.
(a) A student who has not attended the same high school within an LEA for at least sixty (60) school days of the most recent school year of enrollment and who has exited high school without a regular high school diploma and without transferring to another high school that grants a regular diploma may, for the purpose of calculating graduation rate, be assigned to the high school at which the student was enrolled for the greatest proportion of school days while enrolled in grades nine through twelve (9-12) pursuant to procedures developed by the department.
(b) Students that earn an alternate academic diploma pursuant to § 49-6-6001 , shall be included in the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate pursuant to procedures developed by the department.
Added by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 177, s 6, eff. 4/24/2017.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-5-1005 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 49-5-1005
Public access to teacher code of ethics
Status: in_force

The state board of education shall post the teacher code of ethics on its website. Acts 2011, ch. 214, § 1.
The state board of education shall post the teacher code of ethics on its website.
Acts 2011, ch. 214, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-1-220 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 49-1-220
Study of best practices - Study requirements - Resources to be used for study - Study report deadline
Status: in_force

(a) The department of education shall conduct a study of best practices in other states for the use of ninth grade "on-track" indicators in state accountability systems to prevent students from dropping out of high school. (b) The study must include, but is not limited to, research into how states: (1) Define "on-track" high school success; (2) Develop specific indicators to identify students who are at risk of dropping out of high school, including, but not limited to: (A) Credit accumulation and course completion in the ninth grade; (B) Attendance patterns; (C) Failure of English language arts or mathematics courses; (D) Scoring below proficient on statewide assessments administered in English language arts or mathematics; and (E) Student suspensions and expulsions; (3) Develop and use statewide dropout early warning systems in the middle school and high school grades; (4) Utilize methods to publicly report relevant data regarding "on-track" high school success indicators and outcomes, including, but not limited to: (A) State report card systems; (B) Published reports; and (C) Disaggregation by student subgroups, such as economically disadvantaged students, rural students, racial and ethnic groups, students with disabilities, and English learners; (5) Set goals and monitor how many students remain "on track" in ninth grade in alignment with statewide graduation goals; and (6) Provide supports and guidance to schools and districts to improve and increase the number of ninth grade students who are "on track." (c) The department shall conduct the study required in this section within the existing resources of the department. (d) The department shall, no later than January 31, 2024, submit a report of the outcomes of the study required in this section to the education committee of the senate and the education administration committee of the house of representatives, and shall publish the report on the department's website. Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 322, s 1, eff. 4/28/2023.
(a) The department of education shall conduct a study of best practices in other states for the use of ninth grade "on-track" indicators in state accountability systems to prevent students from dropping out of high school.
(b) The study must include, but is not limited to, research into how states: (1) Define "on-track" high school success; (2) Develop specific indicators to identify students who are at risk of dropping out of high school, including, but not limited to: (A) Credit accumulation and course completion in the ninth grade; (B) Attendance patterns; (C) Failure of English language arts or mathematics courses; (D) Scoring below proficient on statewide assessments administered in English language arts or mathematics; and (E) Student suspensions and expulsions; (3) Develop and use statewide dropout early warning systems in the middle school and high school grades; (4) Utilize methods to publicly report relevant data regarding "on-track" high school success indicators and outcomes, including, but not limited to: (A) State report card systems; (B) Published reports; and (C) Disaggregation by student subgroups, such as economically disadvantaged students, rural students, racial and ethnic groups, students with disabilities, and English learners; (5) Set goals and monitor how many students remain "on track" in ninth grade in alignment with statewide graduation goals; and (6) Provide supports and guidance to schools and districts to improve and increase the number of ninth grade students who are "on track."
(1) Define "on-track" high school success;
(2) Develop specific indicators to identify students who are at risk of dropping out of high school, including, but not limited to: (A) Credit accumulation and course completion in the ninth grade; (B) Attendance patterns; (C) Failure of English language arts or mathematics courses; (D) Scoring below proficient on statewide assessments administered in English language arts or mathematics; and (E) Student suspensions and expulsions;
(A) Credit accumulation and course completion in the ninth grade;
(B) Attendance patterns;
(C) Failure of English language arts or mathematics courses;
(D) Scoring below proficient on statewide assessments administered in English language arts or mathematics; and
(E) Student suspensions and expulsions;
(3) Develop and use statewide dropout early warning systems in the middle school and high school grades;
(4) Utilize methods to publicly report relevant data regarding "on-track" high school success indicators and outcomes, including, but not limited to: (A) State report card systems; (B) Published reports; and (C) Disaggregation by student subgroups, such as economically disadvantaged students, rural students, racial and ethnic groups, students with disabilities, and English learners;
(A) State report card systems;
(B) Published reports; and
(C) Disaggregation by student subgroups, such as economically disadvantaged students, rural students, racial and ethnic groups, students with disabilities, and English learners;
(5) Set goals and monitor how many students remain "on track" in ninth grade in alignment with statewide graduation goals; and
(6) Provide supports and guidance to schools and districts to improve and increase the number of ninth grade students who are "on track."
(c) The department shall conduct the study required in this section within the existing resources of the department.
(d) The department shall, no later than January 31, 2024, submit a report of the outcomes of the study required in this section to the education committee of the senate and the education administration committee of the house of representatives, and shall publish the report on the department's website.
Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 322, s 1, eff. 4/28/2023.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-3-309 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 49-3-309
[Repealed]
Status: repealed

Repealed by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966, s 2, eff. 7/1/2023. Acts 1977, ch. 290, § 2; T.C.A., § 49-608; Acts 1984 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 6, § 13; 2001, ch. 284, § 5; 2011 , ch. 47, § 34.
Repealed by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966, s 2, eff. 7/1/2023.
Acts 1977, ch. 290, § 2; T.C.A., § 49-608; Acts 1984 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 6, § 13; 2001, ch. 284, § 5; 2011 , ch. 47, § 34.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-5-910 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 49-5-910
Board of trustees
Status: in_force

(a) There shall be a board of trustees for each city, town, county or district established, which shall be known as the public school teachers' retirement fund board, and shall be composed of nine (9) members who shall serve without compensation. (b) The board shall consist of five (5) teachers, who shall be elected by the teachers of the city, town, county or district, as the case may be, the director of schools of the city, town, county or district and three (3) members of the school board of the city, town, county or district, elected by such board. The manner of election of the elective members shall be determined by the rules prescribed for the government of such bodies as heretofore provided. Acts 1917, ch. 76, § 10; Shan., § 1469b10 (p. 6545); Shan. Supp., § 1469a10; Code 1932, § 2534; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 49-1610.
(a) There shall be a board of trustees for each city, town, county or district established, which shall be known as the public school teachers' retirement fund board, and shall be composed of nine (9) members who shall serve without compensation.
(b) The board shall consist of five (5) teachers, who shall be elected by the teachers of the city, town, county or district, as the case may be, the director of schools of the city, town, county or district and three (3) members of the school board of the city, town, county or district, elected by such board. The manner of election of the elective members shall be determined by the rules prescribed for the government of such bodies as heretofore provided.
Acts 1917, ch. 76, § 10; Shan., § 1469b10 (p. 6545); Shan. Supp., § 1469a10; Code 1932, § 2534; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 49-1610.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-4-701 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 49-4-701
Tennessee Future Teacher Scholarship Act of 2023
Status: in_force

(a) This section is known and may be cited as the "Tennessee Future Teacher Scholarship Act of 2023." (b) As used in this section: (1) "Approved EPP" means an educator preparation program approved by the state board of education at an eligible postsecondary institution; (2) "Eligible candidate" means a student who is: (A) Enrolled in an approved EPP in the student's junior or senior year as determined by the institution in which the student is enrolled; and (B) A citizen of the United States who has resided in this state for at least one (1) year prior to the student's admission to the eligible postsecondary institution at which the student is enrolled; (3) "Eligible postsecondary institution": (A) Has the same meaning as defined in § 49-4-902 ; or (B) Means a private nonprofit postsecondary institution that: (i) Has established a partnership with this state pursuant to a memorandum of understanding executed in 2013; (ii) Is accredited by a regional accrediting association; (iii) Uses a competency-based model of education; (iv) Has established and continuously maintains a physical campus or location of operation within this state; (v) Maintains a governing body or advisory board based in this state with oversight of operations in this state; (vi) Has been chartered in this state as a nonprofit entity for at least five (5) consecutive years; and (vii) Provides an approved EPP; (4) "Gift aid" means financial aid received from the federal Pell grant, the Tennessee education lottery scholarship, or the Tennessee student assistance award; (5) "Targeted setting" means a: (A) Tennessee public school located in a distressed or at-risk county, as determined by the department of education; or (B) Subject area for which there is a critical shortage, as determined by the department of education; and (6) "TSAC" means the Tennessee student assistance corporation. (c) Subject to available funding, TSAC shall administer a five-year pilot program to award a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship to future educators. The pilot program begins with the 2023-2024 academic year and terminates on July 1, 2028. (d) To be eligible for a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship, an eligible candidate must: (1) (A) Be eligible for and receive a Tennessee HOPE scholarship under chapter 4, part 9 of this title; or (B) Maintain the concordant equivalent to the grade point average required for continuation of the Tennessee HOPE scholarship in § 49-4-911 , if the student is enrolled in an approved EPP at an eligible postsecondary institution, as defined in subdivision (b)(3)(B); (2) Be admitted to and enrolled in an approved EPP; (3) Complete the scholarship application, as required by TSAC; and (4) [Deleted by 2024 amendment.] (5) Sign a promissory note agreeing to teach in an LEA or public charter school in this state for at least four (4) consecutive years in a targeted setting. (e) If a student ceases to be eligible for the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship at any time for any reason, then the student is not eligible to regain the scholarship. (f) If a student is awarded a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship, then the student may continue to receive a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship under this section until the occurrence of the first of the following events: (1) The student has attained a degree through an approved EPP; (2) The student ceases to be eligible for the Tennessee HOPE scholarship; or (3) Three (3) years have elapsed since the date of the student's enrollment in a term for which the student received the student's first Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship. (g) A student who receives a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship may transfer from one (1) eligible postsecondary institution to another eligible postsecondary institution without loss of the scholarship so long as the student continues to meet all eligibility requirements for the scholarship. (h) Subject to the amounts appropriated by the general assembly, the amount of a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship: (1) At a public institution is the cost of tuition and mandatory fees charged to all students for coursework leading to completion of an approved undergraduate EPP at the public institution attended less all other gift aid. The gift aid must be credited first to tuition and mandatory fees before the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship is applied; (2) At a private institution must not exceed the average cost of tuition and mandatory fees charged to all students for coursework leading to completion of an approved undergraduate EPP at the state's public institutions less all other gift aid. The gift aid must be credited first to tuition and mandatory fees before the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship is applied; and (3) At an eligible postsecondary institution, as defined in subdivision (b)(3)(B), is the average cost of tuition and mandatory fees charged to all students for coursework leading to completion of an approved undergraduate EPP at the state's public institutions less all other gift aid. The gift aid must be credited first to tuition and mandatory fees before the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship is applied. (i) If a student receives a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship and does not teach in a targeted setting for at least four (4) consecutive years, then the student must reimburse TSAC for each year the student did not teach in a targeted setting an amount equal to the total scholarship amount the student received pursuant to this section divided by four (4), without interest. (j) TSAC may promulgate rules to effectuate the purposes of this section, including establishing reimbursement requirements pursuant to subsection (i). The rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. (k) The office of research and education accountability (OREA), in the office of the comptroller of treasury, shall review and study the pilot program created in this section and the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarships awarded through the pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the scholarships in increasing the number of licensed educators in this state. The study must be conducted in the third and fifth year of the pilot program and four (4) years after the program terminates on July 1, 2028. The OREA shall report its findings and conclusions of each study to the speakers of the senate and house of representatives and to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 31 each year a study is conducted. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 982,s 4, eff. 7/1/2024. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 982,s 3, eff. 7/1/2024. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 982,s 2, eff. 7/1/2024. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 982,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024. Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 381, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023.
(a) This section is known and may be cited as the "Tennessee Future Teacher Scholarship Act of 2023."
(b) As used in this section: (1) "Approved EPP" means an educator preparation program approved by the state board of education at an eligible postsecondary institution; (2) "Eligible candidate" means a student who is: (A) Enrolled in an approved EPP in the student's junior or senior year as determined by the institution in which the student is enrolled; and (B) A citizen of the United States who has resided in this state for at least one (1) year prior to the student's admission to the eligible postsecondary institution at which the student is enrolled; (3) "Eligible postsecondary institution": (A) Has the same meaning as defined in § 49-4-902 ; or (B) Means a private nonprofit postsecondary institution that: (i) Has established a partnership with this state pursuant to a memorandum of understanding executed in 2013; (ii) Is accredited by a regional accrediting association; (iii) Uses a competency-based model of education; (iv) Has established and continuously maintains a physical campus or location of operation within this state; (v) Maintains a governing body or advisory board based in this state with oversight of operations in this state; (vi) Has been chartered in this state as a nonprofit entity for at least five (5) consecutive years; and (vii) Provides an approved EPP; (4) "Gift aid" means financial aid received from the federal Pell grant, the Tennessee education lottery scholarship, or the Tennessee student assistance award; (5) "Targeted setting" means a: (A) Tennessee public school located in a distressed or at-risk county, as determined by the department of education; or (B) Subject area for which there is a critical shortage, as determined by the department of education; and (6) "TSAC" means the Tennessee student assistance corporation.
(1) "Approved EPP" means an educator preparation program approved by the state board of education at an eligible postsecondary institution;
(2) "Eligible candidate" means a student who is: (A) Enrolled in an approved EPP in the student's junior or senior year as determined by the institution in which the student is enrolled; and (B) A citizen of the United States who has resided in this state for at least one (1) year prior to the student's admission to the eligible postsecondary institution at which the student is enrolled;
(A) Enrolled in an approved EPP in the student's junior or senior year as determined by the institution in which the student is enrolled; and
(B) A citizen of the United States who has resided in this state for at least one (1) year prior to the student's admission to the eligible postsecondary institution at which the student is enrolled;
(3) "Eligible postsecondary institution": (A) Has the same meaning as defined in § 49-4-902 ; or (B) Means a private nonprofit postsecondary institution that: (i) Has established a partnership with this state pursuant to a memorandum of understanding executed in 2013; (ii) Is accredited by a regional accrediting association; (iii) Uses a competency-based model of education; (iv) Has established and continuously maintains a physical campus or location of operation within this state; (v) Maintains a governing body or advisory board based in this state with oversight of operations in this state; (vi) Has been chartered in this state as a nonprofit entity for at least five (5) consecutive years; and (vii) Provides an approved EPP;
(A) Has the same meaning as defined in § 49-4-902 ; or
(B) Means a private nonprofit postsecondary institution that: (i) Has established a partnership with this state pursuant to a memorandum of understanding executed in 2013; (ii) Is accredited by a regional accrediting association; (iii) Uses a competency-based model of education; (iv) Has established and continuously maintains a physical campus or location of operation within this state; (v) Maintains a governing body or advisory board based in this state with oversight of operations in this state; (vi) Has been chartered in this state as a nonprofit entity for at least five (5) consecutive years; and (vii) Provides an approved EPP;
(i) Has established a partnership with this state pursuant to a memorandum of understanding executed in 2013;
(ii) Is accredited by a regional accrediting association;
(iii) Uses a competency-based model of education;
(iv) Has established and continuously maintains a physical campus or location of operation within this state;
(v) Maintains a governing body or advisory board based in this state with oversight of operations in this state;
(vi) Has been chartered in this state as a nonprofit entity for at least five (5) consecutive years; and
(vii) Provides an approved EPP;
(4) "Gift aid" means financial aid received from the federal Pell grant, the Tennessee education lottery scholarship, or the Tennessee student assistance award;
(5) "Targeted setting" means a: (A) Tennessee public school located in a distressed or at-risk county, as determined by the department of education; or (B) Subject area for which there is a critical shortage, as determined by the department of education; and
(A) Tennessee public school located in a distressed or at-risk county, as determined by the department of education; or
(B) Subject area for which there is a critical shortage, as determined by the department of education; and
(6) "TSAC" means the Tennessee student assistance corporation.
(c) Subject to available funding, TSAC shall administer a five-year pilot program to award a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship to future educators. The pilot program begins with the 2023-2024 academic year and terminates on July 1, 2028.
(d) To be eligible for a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship, an eligible candidate must: (1) (A) Be eligible for and receive a Tennessee HOPE scholarship under chapter 4, part 9 of this title; or (B) Maintain the concordant equivalent to the grade point average required for continuation of the Tennessee HOPE scholarship in § 49-4-911 , if the student is enrolled in an approved EPP at an eligible postsecondary institution, as defined in subdivision (b)(3)(B); (2) Be admitted to and enrolled in an approved EPP; (3) Complete the scholarship application, as required by TSAC; and (4) [Deleted by 2024 amendment.] (5) Sign a promissory note agreeing to teach in an LEA or public charter school in this state for at least four (4) consecutive years in a targeted setting.
(1) (A) Be eligible for and receive a Tennessee HOPE scholarship under chapter 4, part 9 of this title; or (B) Maintain the concordant equivalent to the grade point average required for continuation of the Tennessee HOPE scholarship in § 49-4-911 , if the student is enrolled in an approved EPP at an eligible postsecondary institution, as defined in subdivision (b)(3)(B);
(A) Be eligible for and receive a Tennessee HOPE scholarship under chapter 4, part 9 of this title; or
(B) Maintain the concordant equivalent to the grade point average required for continuation of the Tennessee HOPE scholarship in § 49-4-911 , if the student is enrolled in an approved EPP at an eligible postsecondary institution, as defined in subdivision (b)(3)(B);
(2) Be admitted to and enrolled in an approved EPP;
(3) Complete the scholarship application, as required by TSAC; and
(4) [Deleted by 2024 amendment.]
(5) Sign a promissory note agreeing to teach in an LEA or public charter school in this state for at least four (4) consecutive years in a targeted setting.
(e) If a student ceases to be eligible for the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship at any time for any reason, then the student is not eligible to regain the scholarship.
(f) If a student is awarded a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship, then the student may continue to receive a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship under this section until the occurrence of the first of the following events: (1) The student has attained a degree through an approved EPP; (2) The student ceases to be eligible for the Tennessee HOPE scholarship; or (3) Three (3) years have elapsed since the date of the student's enrollment in a term for which the student received the student's first Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship.
(1) The student has attained a degree through an approved EPP;
(2) The student ceases to be eligible for the Tennessee HOPE scholarship; or
(3) Three (3) years have elapsed since the date of the student's enrollment in a term for which the student received the student's first Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship.
(g) A student who receives a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship may transfer from one (1) eligible postsecondary institution to another eligible postsecondary institution without loss of the scholarship so long as the student continues to meet all eligibility requirements for the scholarship.
(h) Subject to the amounts appropriated by the general assembly, the amount of a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship: (1) At a public institution is the cost of tuition and mandatory fees charged to all students for coursework leading to completion of an approved undergraduate EPP at the public institution attended less all other gift aid. The gift aid must be credited first to tuition and mandatory fees before the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship is applied; (2) At a private institution must not exceed the average cost of tuition and mandatory fees charged to all students for coursework leading to completion of an approved undergraduate EPP at the state's public institutions less all other gift aid. The gift aid must be credited first to tuition and mandatory fees before the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship is applied; and (3) At an eligible postsecondary institution, as defined in subdivision (b)(3)(B), is the average cost of tuition and mandatory fees charged to all students for coursework leading to completion of an approved undergraduate EPP at the state's public institutions less all other gift aid. The gift aid must be credited first to tuition and mandatory fees before the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship is applied.
(1) At a public institution is the cost of tuition and mandatory fees charged to all students for coursework leading to completion of an approved undergraduate EPP at the public institution attended less all other gift aid. The gift aid must be credited first to tuition and mandatory fees before the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship is applied;
(2) At a private institution must not exceed the average cost of tuition and mandatory fees charged to all students for coursework leading to completion of an approved undergraduate EPP at the state's public institutions less all other gift aid. The gift aid must be credited first to tuition and mandatory fees before the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship is applied; and
(3) At an eligible postsecondary institution, as defined in subdivision (b)(3)(B), is the average cost of tuition and mandatory fees charged to all students for coursework leading to completion of an approved undergraduate EPP at the state's public institutions less all other gift aid. The gift aid must be credited first to tuition and mandatory fees before the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship is applied.
(i) If a student receives a Tennessee Future Teacher scholarship and does not teach in a targeted setting for at least four (4) consecutive years, then the student must reimburse TSAC for each year the student did not teach in a targeted setting an amount equal to the total scholarship amount the student received pursuant to this section divided by four (4), without interest.
(j) TSAC may promulgate rules to effectuate the purposes of this section, including establishing reimbursement requirements pursuant to subsection (i). The rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
(k) The office of research and education accountability (OREA), in the office of the comptroller of treasury, shall review and study the pilot program created in this section and the Tennessee Future Teacher scholarships awarded through the pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the scholarships in increasing the number of licensed educators in this state. The study must be conducted in the third and fifth year of the pilot program and four (4) years after the program terminates on July 1, 2028. The OREA shall report its findings and conclusions of each study to the speakers of the senate and house of representatives and to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 31 each year a study is conducted.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 982,s 4, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 982,s 3, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 982,s 2, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 982,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024.
Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 381, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1102 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 49-7-1102
Part definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Institution of higher education" means any four-year college or university, whether public or private, located in this state; (2) "Parent" means a parent of a student, and includes a natural parent, a guardian, or an individual acting as a parent in the absence of a parent or a guardian, who is paying or has paid any part of the tuition and fees of a student for the current academic year, as defined by the institution of higher education; and (3) "Student" means any full-time or part-time student, twenty (20) years of age or younger, enrolled in courses at an institution of higher education, who physically attends class on the property of the institution and whose tuition and fees are being paid, even if only in part, by the student's parent. For purposes of this part, persons enrolled exclusively in distance education courses at an institution of higher education are not students. Acts 2005, ch. 313, § 3.
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Institution of higher education" means any four-year college or university, whether public or private, located in this state;
(2) "Parent" means a parent of a student, and includes a natural parent, a guardian, or an individual acting as a parent in the absence of a parent or a guardian, who is paying or has paid any part of the tuition and fees of a student for the current academic year, as defined by the institution of higher education; and
(3) "Student" means any full-time or part-time student, twenty (20) years of age or younger, enrolled in courses at an institution of higher education, who physically attends class on the property of the institution and whose tuition and fees are being paid, even if only in part, by the student's parent. For purposes of this part, persons enrolled exclusively in distance education courses at an institution of higher education are not students.
Acts 2005, ch. 313, § 3.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-4-505 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 49-4-505
[Repealed]
Status: repealed

Repealed by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 794, s 16, eff. 8/1/2020. Acts 1977, ch. 282, § 1; 1983, ch. 338, § 9; T.C.A., § 49-5406.
Repealed by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 794, s 16, eff. 8/1/2020.
Acts 1977, ch. 282, § 1; 1983, ch. 338, § 9; T.C.A., § 49-5406.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-137 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 49-2-137
Stop the bleed program - Bleeding control kits
Status: in_force

(a) For purposes of this section, "bleeding control kit" means a first aid response kit that contains: (1) One (1) tourniquet endorsed by the United States department of defense's committee on tactical combat casualty care; (2) One (1) compression bandage; (3) One (1) bleeding control bandage; (4) Protective gloves; (5) One (1) marker; (6) Scissors; and (7) Instructional materials developed by: (A) The United States department of homeland security, as part of the department's "Stop the Bleed" campaign; or (B) Bleeding control materials developed by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. (b) Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, each LEA may develop and implement a "Stop the Bleed" program in consultation with local law enforcement. The program may be implemented in each school and must require: (1) At least one (1) bleeding control kit to be placed in an easily accessible location within the school as determined by the school after consulting with local law enforcement; (2) Bleeding control kits to be included in the district-level safety plans and building-level emergency response plans developed pursuant to chapter 6, part 8 of this title; (3) All LEA employees to receive training on how to use a bleeding control kit; (4) Annual: (A) Inspection of each bleeding control kit; and (B) School presentations demonstrating where to locate, and how to use, the items contained in a bleeding control kit; and (5) School officials to replace, as necessary, any expired or missing materials, supplies, or equipment required for a bleeding control kit under subsection (a). (c) (1) An LEA or school that implements a "Stop the Bleed" program as authorized in subsection (b) is not civilly liable for any personal injury that results from an act or omission of an individual to control bleeding using a bleeding control kit, and that does not amount to willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence, if the "Stop the Bleed" program developed by the LEA and implemented in the school complies with the requirements of subsection (b). (2) An employee of the LEA is not civilly liable for any personal injury that results from an act or omission of the employee to control bleeding using a bleeding control kit, and that does not amount to willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence, if the "Stop the Bleed" program developed by the LEA and implemented in the school complies with the requirements of subsection (b). (3) Misuse or abuse of a bleeding control kit on school property by a student is disorderly conduct and subjects the student to disciplinary action. Added by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 389,s 1, eff. 7/1/2021.
(a) For purposes of this section, "bleeding control kit" means a first aid response kit that contains: (1) One (1) tourniquet endorsed by the United States department of defense's committee on tactical combat casualty care; (2) One (1) compression bandage; (3) One (1) bleeding control bandage; (4) Protective gloves; (5) One (1) marker; (6) Scissors; and (7) Instructional materials developed by: (A) The United States department of homeland security, as part of the department's "Stop the Bleed" campaign; or (B) Bleeding control materials developed by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.
(1) One (1) tourniquet endorsed by the United States department of defense's committee on tactical combat casualty care;
(2) One (1) compression bandage;
(3) One (1) bleeding control bandage;
(4) Protective gloves;
(5) One (1) marker;
(6) Scissors; and
(7) Instructional materials developed by: (A) The United States department of homeland security, as part of the department's "Stop the Bleed" campaign; or (B) Bleeding control materials developed by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.
(A) The United States department of homeland security, as part of the department's "Stop the Bleed" campaign; or
(B) Bleeding control materials developed by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.
(b) Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, each LEA may develop and implement a "Stop the Bleed" program in consultation with local law enforcement. The program may be implemented in each school and must require: (1) At least one (1) bleeding control kit to be placed in an easily accessible location within the school as determined by the school after consulting with local law enforcement; (2) Bleeding control kits to be included in the district-level safety plans and building-level emergency response plans developed pursuant to chapter 6, part 8 of this title; (3) All LEA employees to receive training on how to use a bleeding control kit; (4) Annual: (A) Inspection of each bleeding control kit; and (B) School presentations demonstrating where to locate, and how to use, the items contained in a bleeding control kit; and (5) School officials to replace, as necessary, any expired or missing materials, supplies, or equipment required for a bleeding control kit under subsection (a).
(1) At least one (1) bleeding control kit to be placed in an easily accessible location within the school as determined by the school after consulting with local law enforcement;
(2) Bleeding control kits to be included in the district-level safety plans and building-level emergency response plans developed pursuant to chapter 6, part 8 of this title;
(3) All LEA employees to receive training on how to use a bleeding control kit;
(4) Annual: (A) Inspection of each bleeding control kit; and (B) School presentations demonstrating where to locate, and how to use, the items contained in a bleeding control kit; and
(A) Inspection of each bleeding control kit; and
(B) School presentations demonstrating where to locate, and how to use, the items contained in a bleeding control kit; and
(5) School officials to replace, as necessary, any expired or missing materials, supplies, or equipment required for a bleeding control kit under subsection (a).
(c) (1) An LEA or school that implements a "Stop the Bleed" program as authorized in subsection (b) is not civilly liable for any personal injury that results from an act or omission of an individual to control bleeding using a bleeding control kit, and that does not amount to willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence, if the "Stop the Bleed" program developed by the LEA and implemented in the school complies with the requirements of subsection (b). (2) An employee of the LEA is not civilly liable for any personal injury that results from an act or omission of the employee to control bleeding using a bleeding control kit, and that does not amount to willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence, if the "Stop the Bleed" program developed by the LEA and implemented in the school complies with the requirements of subsection (b). (3) Misuse or abuse of a bleeding control kit on school property by a student is disorderly conduct and subjects the student to disciplinary action.
(1) An LEA or school that implements a "Stop the Bleed" program as authorized in subsection (b) is not civilly liable for any personal injury that results from an act or omission of an individual to control bleeding using a bleeding control kit, and that does not amount to willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence, if the "Stop the Bleed" program developed by the LEA and implemented in the school complies with the requirements of subsection (b).
(2) An employee of the LEA is not civilly liable for any personal injury that results from an act or omission of the employee to control bleeding using a bleeding control kit, and that does not amount to willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence, if the "Stop the Bleed" program developed by the LEA and implemented in the school complies with the requirements of subsection (b).
(3) Misuse or abuse of a bleeding control kit on school property by a student is disorderly conduct and subjects the student to disciplinary action.
Added by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 389,s 1, eff. 7/1/2021.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-1-508 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 49-1-508
[Repealed]
Status: repealed

Repealed by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 725, s 23, eff. 4/18/2018. Acts 1990, ch. 996, § 8.
Repealed by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 725, s 23, eff. 4/18/2018.
Acts 1990, ch. 996, § 8.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2007 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 49-7-2007
Prohibited acts
Status: in_force

A postsecondary educational institution, alone or in concert with any person, agent, group, or entity, shall not: (1) Operate a postsecondary educational institution in this state that is not exempted from this part, unless the postsecondary educational institution has a current and valid authorization issued pursuant to this part; (2) Offer as, or through an agent, enrollment or instruction in, or the granting of educational credentials from, a postsecondary educational institution outside this state that is not exempted from this part, unless the postsecondary educational institution has a current and valid authorization issued pursuant to this part; (3) Instruct or educate, or offer to instruct or educate, including advertising or soliciting for such purpose; enroll, or offer to enroll; contract, or offer to contract, with a person for such purpose; or award an educational credential or contract with an institution or party to award an educational credential in this state, regardless of whether the agent or postsecondary educational institution is located within this state, unless the agent or postsecondary educational institution observes and is in compliance with the minimum standards set forth in § 49-7-2006(a) , the standards established by the commission pursuant to § 49-7-2005(a)(1) , and the rules promulgated by the commission pursuant to § 49-7-2005(a)(6) ; (4) Use "university" or other terminology, without authorization to do so from the commission, that could mislead the general public; or (5) Grant, or offer to grant, educational credentials, unless the postsecondary educational institution has a current and valid authorization issued pursuant to this part. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1044, s 15, eff. 7/1/2022. Acts 1961, ch. 112, § 8; 1974, ch. 781, § 8; T.C.A., § 49-3908.
A postsecondary educational institution, alone or in concert with any person, agent, group, or entity, shall not:
(1) Operate a postsecondary educational institution in this state that is not exempted from this part, unless the postsecondary educational institution has a current and valid authorization issued pursuant to this part;
(2) Offer as, or through an agent, enrollment or instruction in, or the granting of educational credentials from, a postsecondary educational institution outside this state that is not exempted from this part, unless the postsecondary educational institution has a current and valid authorization issued pursuant to this part;
(3) Instruct or educate, or offer to instruct or educate, including advertising or soliciting for such purpose; enroll, or offer to enroll; contract, or offer to contract, with a person for such purpose; or award an educational credential or contract with an institution or party to award an educational credential in this state, regardless of whether the agent or postsecondary educational institution is located within this state, unless the agent or postsecondary educational institution observes and is in compliance with the minimum standards set forth in § 49-7-2006(a) , the standards established by the commission pursuant to § 49-7-2005(a)(1) , and the rules promulgated by the commission pursuant to § 49-7-2005(a)(6) ;
(4) Use "university" or other terminology, without authorization to do so from the commission, that could mislead the general public; or
(5) Grant, or offer to grant, educational credentials, unless the postsecondary educational institution has a current and valid authorization issued pursuant to this part.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1044, s 15, eff. 7/1/2022.
Acts 1961, ch. 112, § 8; 1974, ch. 781, § 8; T.C.A., § 49-3908.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-401 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 49-7-401
Family practice training programs
Status: in_force

(a) It is the intent and purpose of this section to promote the preparation, education and training of physicians for family practice in this state by encouraging Meharry Medical College to continue its efforts for the development of an expanded family practice residency that includes training in medically underserved middle Tennessee communities. (b) (1) In addition to the medical programs already provided for and funded by the state, financial support shall also be provided for the development, enlargement and continuation of Meharry Medical College's graduate training program in family practice for physicians, which shall prepare them for the specialty of family practice. (2) Funding for the Meharry family practice residency program shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per year per resident in training. (c) (1) Funding for the 1978-1979 academic school year shall be projected as not exceeding five hundred forty thousand dollars ($540,000) for the training of thirty-six (36) residents. (2) Funding for succeeding years will provide for continuance at this same level, unless increased or decreased by specific legislation. (d) Development and expansion of family practice resident training in various locations of middle Tennessee shall be the responsibility of Meharry Medical College. (e) (1) This section does not constitute an appropriation of funds. (2) No funds shall be expended under this section unless the funds are specifically appropriated in the general appropriations act pursuant to §§ 9-4-5101 - 9-4-5105, 9-4-5108 - 9-4-5114 or a specific amendment or supplement to the general appropriations act. Acts 1977, ch. 375, §§ 1-4; T.C.A., § 49-4213; Acts 1982, ch. 892, § 1; T.C.A., § 49-4251; Acts 2001, ch. 433, § 5.
(a) It is the intent and purpose of this section to promote the preparation, education and training of physicians for family practice in this state by encouraging Meharry Medical College to continue its efforts for the development of an expanded family practice residency that includes training in medically underserved middle Tennessee communities.
(b) (1) In addition to the medical programs already provided for and funded by the state, financial support shall also be provided for the development, enlargement and continuation of Meharry Medical College's graduate training program in family practice for physicians, which shall prepare them for the specialty of family practice. (2) Funding for the Meharry family practice residency program shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per year per resident in training.
(1) In addition to the medical programs already provided for and funded by the state, financial support shall also be provided for the development, enlargement and continuation of Meharry Medical College's graduate training program in family practice for physicians, which shall prepare them for the specialty of family practice.
(2) Funding for the Meharry family practice residency program shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per year per resident in training.
(c) (1) Funding for the 1978-1979 academic school year shall be projected as not exceeding five hundred forty thousand dollars ($540,000) for the training of thirty-six (36) residents. (2) Funding for succeeding years will provide for continuance at this same level, unless increased or decreased by specific legislation.
(1) Funding for the 1978-1979 academic school year shall be projected as not exceeding five hundred forty thousand dollars ($540,000) for the training of thirty-six (36) residents.
(2) Funding for succeeding years will provide for continuance at this same level, unless increased or decreased by specific legislation.
(d) Development and expansion of family practice resident training in various locations of middle Tennessee shall be the responsibility of Meharry Medical College.
(e) (1) This section does not constitute an appropriation of funds. (2) No funds shall be expended under this section unless the funds are specifically appropriated in the general appropriations act pursuant to §§ 9-4-5101 - 9-4-5105, 9-4-5108 - 9-4-5114 or a specific amendment or supplement to the general appropriations act.
(1) This section does not constitute an appropriation of funds.
(2) No funds shall be expended under this section unless the funds are specifically appropriated in the general appropriations act pursuant to §§ 9-4-5101 - 9-4-5105, 9-4-5108 - 9-4-5114 or a specific amendment or supplement to the general appropriations act.
Acts 1977, ch. 375, §§ 1-4; T.C.A., § 49-4213; Acts 1982, ch. 892, § 1; T.C.A., § 49-4251; Acts 2001, ch. 433, § 5.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-148 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 49-7-148
Comparative education concepts
Status: in_force

Institutions of higher education offering approved teacher training programs under chapter 5, part 55 [repealed] of this title are urged to explore ways in which research methodologies related to comparative education concepts that study and examine teaching practices and learning outcomes in other countries can be incorporated into existing curriculum. Acts 2010, ch. 912, § 1.
Institutions of higher education offering approved teacher training programs under chapter 5, part 55 [repealed] of this title are urged to explore ways in which research methodologies related to comparative education concepts that study and examine teaching practices and learning outcomes in other countries can be incorporated into existing curriculum.
Acts 2010, ch. 912, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1204 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 49-7-1204
Use of existing staff - Encouragement of enrollment
Status: in_force

The department of labor and workforce development shall utilize existing staff to assist individuals interested in seeking postsecondary degrees. Efforts shall be made to encourage individuals to enroll in LEAPs offered at colleges of applied technology and community colleges, and to seek employment in high-skill or high-technology industries. Added by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 338,s 5, eff. 1/1/2014.
The department of labor and workforce development shall utilize existing staff to assist individuals interested in seeking postsecondary degrees. Efforts shall be made to encourage individuals to enroll in LEAPs offered at colleges of applied technology and community colleges, and to seek employment in high-skill or high-technology industries.
Added by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 338,s 5, eff. 1/1/2014.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2303 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 49-7-2303
Tennessee higher education commission - Rules
Status: in_force

The Tennessee higher education commission shall establish rules and procedures applicable to students who are seeking a tuition credit or refund as set forth in this part. The commission shall have the authority to establish the procedure for application by the student to receive a tuition credit or refund, to determine what type of documentation would be required to establish proof of active military duty and to establish any other requirements the commission determines necessary to determine the eligibility of students for a tuition credit or refund from state colleges or universities. Acts 1991, ch. 151, § 3.
The Tennessee higher education commission shall establish rules and procedures applicable to students who are seeking a tuition credit or refund as set forth in this part. The commission shall have the authority to establish the procedure for application by the student to receive a tuition credit or refund, to determine what type of documentation would be required to establish proof of active military duty and to establish any other requirements the commission determines necessary to determine the eligibility of students for a tuition credit or refund from state colleges or universities.
Acts 1991, ch. 151, § 3.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-2605 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-2605
Funding calculations - School improvement fund - Allowable uses of ESA funds - Participating schools - Administration of program
Status: in_force

(a) The maximum annual amount to which a participating student is entitled under the program must be equal to the amount representing the per pupil state and local funds generated and required through the TISA for the LEA in which the participating student resides, but must not exceed the combined statewide average of required state and local TISA allocations per pupil. The state board of education may promulgate rules to annually calculate and determine the combined statewide average of required state and local TISA allocations per pupil. (b) (1) For the purpose of funding calculations, each participating student must be counted in the enrollment figures for the LEA in which the participating student resides. The ESA funds for participating students must be subtracted from the state TISA funds otherwise payable to the LEA. The department shall remit funds to a participating student's ESA on at least a quarterly basis. Any funds awarded under this part are the entitlement of the participating student or legacy student, under the supervision of the participating student's or legacy student's parent if the participating student or legacy student is seventeen (17) years of age or younger. (2) (A) There is established a school improvement fund to be administered by the department that, for the first three (3) fiscal years in which the program enrolls participating students and subject to appropriation, shall disburse an annual grant to each LEA to be used for school improvement in an amount equal to the ESA amount for participating students under the program who: (i) Were enrolled in and attended a school in the LEA for the one (1) full school year immediately preceding the school year in which the student began participating in the program; and (ii) Generate TISA funds for the LEA in the applicable fiscal year that will be subtracted from the state TISA funds payable to the LEA under subdivision (b)(1). (B) (i) Any balance of unused funds allocated to the program remaining at the end of any of the first three (3) fiscal years of the program must be disbursed as an annual school improvement grant to LEAs that have priority schools as defined by the state's accountability system pursuant to § 49-1-602 , but that do not have participating students in the program. (ii) After the first three (3) fiscal years in which the program enrolls participating students, the department shall disburse any appropriations to the fund established in this subdivision (b)(2) as school improvement grants for programs to support schools identified as priority schools, as defined by the state's accountability system pursuant to § 49-1-602 , for 2021 or any year thereafter. (3) Any balance in the fund established in subdivision (b)(2) remaining unexpended on the program at the end of any fiscal year after the third fiscal year does not revert to the general fund, but is carried forward for expenditure in subsequent years. (c) The department shall provide parents of participating students or students, as applicable, with a written explanation of the allowable uses of ESA funds, the responsibilities of parents regarding ESA funds and the parents' participating students, and the department's duties regarding ESA funds and eligible students, participating students, and legacy students. (d) The department shall post on the department's website a list of participating schools for each school year, the grades taught in each participating school, and any other information that the department determines may assist parents in selecting a participating school. (e) The department shall strive to ensure that lower-income families and families with students listed under § 49-6-2604(e) are notified of the program and of the eligibility requirements to participate in the program. (f) The department shall strive to ensure that parents of students with disabilities receive notice that participation in the program has the same effect as a parental refusal to consent to the receipt of services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ( 20 U.S.C. § 1414 ). (g) The department shall adopt policies or procedures necessary for the administration of the program, including, but not limited to, procedures for establishing, or contracting for the establishment of, an anonymous online fraud reporting service and telephone hotline, for reporting fraudulent activity related to ESAs, and for conducting or contracting for random, quarterly, or annual review of accounts. (h) The department may deduct six percent (6%) from the annual ESA award amount to cover the costs of overseeing the funds and administering the program. (i) The department may contract with a nonprofit organization to administer some or all portions of the program. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966, s 55, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966, s 54, eff. 7/1/2023. Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 506, s 1, eff. 5/24/2019.
(a) The maximum annual amount to which a participating student is entitled under the program must be equal to the amount representing the per pupil state and local funds generated and required through the TISA for the LEA in which the participating student resides, but must not exceed the combined statewide average of required state and local TISA allocations per pupil. The state board of education may promulgate rules to annually calculate and determine the combined statewide average of required state and local TISA allocations per pupil.
(b) (1) For the purpose of funding calculations, each participating student must be counted in the enrollment figures for the LEA in which the participating student resides. The ESA funds for participating students must be subtracted from the state TISA funds otherwise payable to the LEA. The department shall remit funds to a participating student's ESA on at least a quarterly basis. Any funds awarded under this part are the entitlement of the participating student or legacy student, under the supervision of the participating student's or legacy student's parent if the participating student or legacy student is seventeen (17) years of age or younger. (2) (A) There is established a school improvement fund to be administered by the department that, for the first three (3) fiscal years in which the program enrolls participating students and subject to appropriation, shall disburse an annual grant to each LEA to be used for school improvement in an amount equal to the ESA amount for participating students under the program who: (i) Were enrolled in and attended a school in the LEA for the one (1) full school year immediately preceding the school year in which the student began participating in the program; and (ii) Generate TISA funds for the LEA in the applicable fiscal year that will be subtracted from the state TISA funds payable to the LEA under subdivision (b)(1). (B) (i) Any balance of unused funds allocated to the program remaining at the end of any of the first three (3) fiscal years of the program must be disbursed as an annual school improvement grant to LEAs that have priority schools as defined by the state's accountability system pursuant to § 49-1-602 , but that do not have participating students in the program. (ii) After the first three (3) fiscal years in which the program enrolls participating students, the department shall disburse any appropriations to the fund established in this subdivision (b)(2) as school improvement grants for programs to support schools identified as priority schools, as defined by the state's accountability system pursuant to § 49-1-602 , for 2021 or any year thereafter. (3) Any balance in the fund established in subdivision (b)(2) remaining unexpended on the program at the end of any fiscal year after the third fiscal year does not revert to the general fund, but is carried forward for expenditure in subsequent years.
(1) For the purpose of funding calculations, each participating student must be counted in the enrollment figures for the LEA in which the participating student resides. The ESA funds for participating students must be subtracted from the state TISA funds otherwise payable to the LEA. The department shall remit funds to a participating student's ESA on at least a quarterly basis. Any funds awarded under this part are the entitlement of the participating student or legacy student, under the supervision of the participating student's or legacy student's parent if the participating student or legacy student is seventeen (17) years of age or younger.
(2) (A) There is established a school improvement fund to be administered by the department that, for the first three (3) fiscal years in which the program enrolls participating students and subject to appropriation, shall disburse an annual grant to each LEA to be used for school improvement in an amount equal to the ESA amount for participating students under the program who: (i) Were enrolled in and attended a school in the LEA for the one (1) full school year immediately preceding the school year in which the student began participating in the program; and (ii) Generate TISA funds for the LEA in the applicable fiscal year that will be subtracted from the state TISA funds payable to the LEA under subdivision (b)(1). (B) (i) Any balance of unused funds allocated to the program remaining at the end of any of the first three (3) fiscal years of the program must be disbursed as an annual school improvement grant to LEAs that have priority schools as defined by the state's accountability system pursuant to § 49-1-602 , but that do not have participating students in the program. (ii) After the first three (3) fiscal years in which the program enrolls participating students, the department shall disburse any appropriations to the fund established in this subdivision (b)(2) as school improvement grants for programs to support schools identified as priority schools, as defined by the state's accountability system pursuant to § 49-1-602 , for 2021 or any year thereafter.
(A) There is established a school improvement fund to be administered by the department that, for the first three (3) fiscal years in which the program enrolls participating students and subject to appropriation, shall disburse an annual grant to each LEA to be used for school improvement in an amount equal to the ESA amount for participating students under the program who: (i) Were enrolled in and attended a school in the LEA for the one (1) full school year immediately preceding the school year in which the student began participating in the program; and (ii) Generate TISA funds for the LEA in the applicable fiscal year that will be subtracted from the state TISA funds payable to the LEA under subdivision (b)(1).
(i) Were enrolled in and attended a school in the LEA for the one (1) full school year immediately preceding the school year in which the student began participating in the program; and
(ii) Generate TISA funds for the LEA in the applicable fiscal year that will be subtracted from the state TISA funds payable to the LEA under subdivision (b)(1).
(B) (i) Any balance of unused funds allocated to the program remaining at the end of any of the first three (3) fiscal years of the program must be disbursed as an annual school improvement grant to LEAs that have priority schools as defined by the state's accountability system pursuant to § 49-1-602 , but that do not have participating students in the program. (ii) After the first three (3) fiscal years in which the program enrolls participating students, the department shall disburse any appropriations to the fund established in this subdivision (b)(2) as school improvement grants for programs to support schools identified as priority schools, as defined by the state's accountability system pursuant to § 49-1-602 , for 2021 or any year thereafter.
(i) Any balance of unused funds allocated to the program remaining at the end of any of the first three (3) fiscal years of the program must be disbursed as an annual school improvement grant to LEAs that have priority schools as defined by the state's accountability system pursuant to § 49-1-602 , but that do not have participating students in the program.
(ii) After the first three (3) fiscal years in which the program enrolls participating students, the department shall disburse any appropriations to the fund established in this subdivision (b)(2) as school improvement grants for programs to support schools identified as priority schools, as defined by the state's accountability system pursuant to § 49-1-602 , for 2021 or any year thereafter.
(3) Any balance in the fund established in subdivision (b)(2) remaining unexpended on the program at the end of any fiscal year after the third fiscal year does not revert to the general fund, but is carried forward for expenditure in subsequent years.
(c) The department shall provide parents of participating students or students, as applicable, with a written explanation of the allowable uses of ESA funds, the responsibilities of parents regarding ESA funds and the parents' participating students, and the department's duties regarding ESA funds and eligible students, participating students, and legacy students.
(d) The department shall post on the department's website a list of participating schools for each school year, the grades taught in each participating school, and any other information that the department determines may assist parents in selecting a participating school.
(e) The department shall strive to ensure that lower-income families and families with students listed under § 49-6-2604(e) are notified of the program and of the eligibility requirements to participate in the program.
(f) The department shall strive to ensure that parents of students with disabilities receive notice that participation in the program has the same effect as a parental refusal to consent to the receipt of services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ( 20 U.S.C. § 1414 ).
(g) The department shall adopt policies or procedures necessary for the administration of the program, including, but not limited to, procedures for establishing, or contracting for the establishment of, an anonymous online fraud reporting service and telephone hotline, for reporting fraudulent activity related to ESAs, and for conducting or contracting for random, quarterly, or annual review of accounts.
(h) The department may deduct six percent (6%) from the annual ESA award amount to cover the costs of overseeing the funds and administering the program.
(i) The department may contract with a nonprofit organization to administer some or all portions of the program.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966, s 55, eff. 7/1/2023.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966, s 54, eff. 7/1/2023.
Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 506, s 1, eff. 5/24/2019.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-18-106 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 49-18-106
Course review and approval process
Status: in_force

(a) The department shall establish guidelines for the design and implementation of course access program courses. (b) Host LEAs seeking to offer a course access program course shall establish a local course review and approval process. (c) Host LEAs shall ensure each course approved: (1) Is offered by an approved course provider included in the listing of providers in the course access catalog; (2) Meets the instructional and academic rigor of a course that is provided in a traditional classroom setting; (3) Is aligned to the applicable state academic standards of the state board; (4) Is designed and implemented consistently with guidelines established by the department; and (5) Is taught by a teacher who is properly licensed and endorsed in accordance with the rules of the state board. (d) Host LEAs shall submit locally approved courses to the department with an assurance that the course has been reviewed in compliance with this section and with guidelines established by the department. The department shall submit locally approved courses to the state board for approval and inclusion in the course access catalog. (e) A course included in the course access catalog shall be available to eligible students in any home LEA. The approving host LEA is responsible for establishing a partnership with the approved provider in order to offer the course to students. (f) (1) The state board may exclude a course from the course access catalog at any time if a home LEA, the host LEA, or the department: (A) Submits evidence to the state board that: (i) The course is no longer adequately aligned with the approved state academic standards; (ii) The course fails to meet the minimum requirements of the state board; or (iii) The course no longer complies with the requirements of subdivisions (c)(1)-(5); and (B) Requests, in writing, that the state board exclude the course. (2) Before excluding a course under subdivision (f)(1), the state board shall make a finding that at least one (1) of subdivisions (f)(1)(A)(i)-(iii) has been met. (3) The state board shall exclude a course from the course access catalog at any time that the course provider is excluded from the course access catalog under § 49-18-105(b) . (4) The state board may establish additional reasons and requirements for the exclusion of courses from the course access catalog, including if the course is offered by a host school that was issued a "D" or "F" letter grade by the department on the most recent state report card issued pursuant to § 49-1-228 . Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 929, s 6, eff. 7/1/2022. Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 784, s 9, eff. 4/20/2018. Added by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 889, s 7, eff. 4/27/2016.
(a) The department shall establish guidelines for the design and implementation of course access program courses.
(b) Host LEAs seeking to offer a course access program course shall establish a local course review and approval process.
(c) Host LEAs shall ensure each course approved: (1) Is offered by an approved course provider included in the listing of providers in the course access catalog; (2) Meets the instructional and academic rigor of a course that is provided in a traditional classroom setting; (3) Is aligned to the applicable state academic standards of the state board; (4) Is designed and implemented consistently with guidelines established by the department; and (5) Is taught by a teacher who is properly licensed and endorsed in accordance with the rules of the state board.
(1) Is offered by an approved course provider included in the listing of providers in the course access catalog;
(2) Meets the instructional and academic rigor of a course that is provided in a traditional classroom setting;
(3) Is aligned to the applicable state academic standards of the state board;
(4) Is designed and implemented consistently with guidelines established by the department; and
(5) Is taught by a teacher who is properly licensed and endorsed in accordance with the rules of the state board.
(d) Host LEAs shall submit locally approved courses to the department with an assurance that the course has been reviewed in compliance with this section and with guidelines established by the department. The department shall submit locally approved courses to the state board for approval and inclusion in the course access catalog.
(e) A course included in the course access catalog shall be available to eligible students in any home LEA. The approving host LEA is responsible for establishing a partnership with the approved provider in order to offer the course to students.
(f) (1) The state board may exclude a course from the course access catalog at any time if a home LEA, the host LEA, or the department: (A) Submits evidence to the state board that: (i) The course is no longer adequately aligned with the approved state academic standards; (ii) The course fails to meet the minimum requirements of the state board; or (iii) The course no longer complies with the requirements of subdivisions (c)(1)-(5); and (B) Requests, in writing, that the state board exclude the course. (2) Before excluding a course under subdivision (f)(1), the state board shall make a finding that at least one (1) of subdivisions (f)(1)(A)(i)-(iii) has been met. (3) The state board shall exclude a course from the course access catalog at any time that the course provider is excluded from the course access catalog under § 49-18-105(b) . (4) The state board may establish additional reasons and requirements for the exclusion of courses from the course access catalog, including if the course is offered by a host school that was issued a "D" or "F" letter grade by the department on the most recent state report card issued pursuant to § 49-1-228 .
(1) The state board may exclude a course from the course access catalog at any time if a home LEA, the host LEA, or the department: (A) Submits evidence to the state board that: (i) The course is no longer adequately aligned with the approved state academic standards; (ii) The course fails to meet the minimum requirements of the state board; or (iii) The course no longer complies with the requirements of subdivisions (c)(1)-(5); and (B) Requests, in writing, that the state board exclude the course.
(A) Submits evidence to the state board that: (i) The course is no longer adequately aligned with the approved state academic standards; (ii) The course fails to meet the minimum requirements of the state board; or (iii) The course no longer complies with the requirements of subdivisions (c)(1)-(5); and
(i) The course is no longer adequately aligned with the approved state academic standards;
(ii) The course fails to meet the minimum requirements of the state board; or
(iii) The course no longer complies with the requirements of subdivisions (c)(1)-(5); and
(B) Requests, in writing, that the state board exclude the course.
(2) Before excluding a course under subdivision (f)(1), the state board shall make a finding that at least one (1) of subdivisions (f)(1)(A)(i)-(iii) has been met.
(3) The state board shall exclude a course from the course access catalog at any time that the course provider is excluded from the course access catalog under § 49-18-105(b) .
(4) The state board may establish additional reasons and requirements for the exclusion of courses from the course access catalog, including if the course is offered by a host school that was issued a "D" or "F" letter grade by the department on the most recent state report card issued pursuant to § 49-1-228 .
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 929, s 6, eff. 7/1/2022.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 784, s 9, eff. 4/20/2018.
Added by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 889, s 7, eff. 4/27/2016.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-9-111 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 49-9-111
Contracting for vending operations
Status: in_force

(a) If the department of human services does not, at any time, exercise its preference under § 71-4-503 , the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee may award a contract to any qualified third-party provider to provide vending operations located in a residence hall or similar housing facility that relies upon profits from the vending operations for the facility's support and maintenance. (b) If, at any time, a vending facility is established under § 71-4-503 , in a self-supporting residence hall or similar housing facility, and when profits generated by the machines would otherwise be dedicated in substantial part to the financial support and maintenance of the residence hall, it is the responsibility and obligation of the particular college or university to contribute to the support and maintenance of the residence hall, using revenue derived from vending machines on other parts of the campus, not already under the management of a licensed blind vendor, to offset in total the lost revenue. Acts 1993, ch. 421, § 3.
(a) If the department of human services does not, at any time, exercise its preference under § 71-4-503 , the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee may award a contract to any qualified third-party provider to provide vending operations located in a residence hall or similar housing facility that relies upon profits from the vending operations for the facility's support and maintenance.
(b) If, at any time, a vending facility is established under § 71-4-503 , in a self-supporting residence hall or similar housing facility, and when profits generated by the machines would otherwise be dedicated in substantial part to the financial support and maintenance of the residence hall, it is the responsibility and obligation of the particular college or university to contribute to the support and maintenance of the residence hall, using revenue derived from vending machines on other parts of the campus, not already under the management of a licensed blind vendor, to offset in total the lost revenue.
Acts 1993, ch. 421, § 3.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-5-5615 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 49-5-5615
Training on teacher code of ethics required
Status: in_force

State-approved teacher preparation programs shall require all teacher candidates to complete training on the teacher code of ethics found in part 10 of this chapter as part of the program. Acts 2018, ch. 937, § 6.
State-approved teacher preparation programs shall require all teacher candidates to complete training on the teacher code of ethics found in part 10 of this chapter as part of the program.
Acts 2018, ch. 937, § 6.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-2609 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 49-6-2609
Participating school or provider not state agent - No expansion of regulatory authority
Status: in_force

(a) A participating school or provider is autonomous and not an agent of this state. (b) The creation of the ESA program does not expand the regulatory authority of this state, the officers of this state, or an LEA to impose any additional regulation of participating schools or providers beyond the rules and regulations necessary to enforce the requirements of the program. (c) This state gives participating schools and providers maximum freedom to provide for the educational needs of participating students without governmental control. Neither a participating school nor a provider is required to alter its creed, practices, admissions policies, or curriculum in order to accept participating students, other than as is necessary to comply with the requirements of the program. Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 506,s 1, eff. 5/24/2019.
(a) A participating school or provider is autonomous and not an agent of this state.
(b) The creation of the ESA program does not expand the regulatory authority of this state, the officers of this state, or an LEA to impose any additional regulation of participating schools or providers beyond the rules and regulations necessary to enforce the requirements of the program.
(c) This state gives participating schools and providers maximum freedom to provide for the educational needs of participating students without governmental control. Neither a participating school nor a provider is required to alter its creed, practices, admissions policies, or curriculum in order to accept participating students, other than as is necessary to comply with the requirements of the program.
Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 506,s 1, eff. 5/24/2019.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-9-703 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 49-9-703
Family practice residency programs
Status: in_force

(a) There is created the Tennessee family practice residency program for the purpose of training resident physicians in the field of family practice, and to encourage family practice physicians to settle and establish private family practices in areas of the state with physician shortages. (b) (1) The program shall be administered by the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in cooperation with the department of health and by East Tennessee State University in upper east Tennessee. (2) The University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University may contract with other accredited medical schools in the state to provide family resident training programs that are consistent with the overall objectives of this program. (c) (1) The University of Tennessee College of Medicine and East Tennessee State University, in consultation with the appropriate officials of the department of health, will develop and implement a plan to establish family practice resident training programs in each of the grand divisions so that training opportunities for at least one hundred fifty (150) residents will be available within three (3) years, a minimum of thirty (30) residents being located in the tri-cities area. (2) The program shall make maximum feasible use of nonstate funds from the federal government, private sources, and fees for services in developing and implementing the program, consistent with the requirements for a high quality educational program that meets all of the standards for accreditation. (3) The University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University are authorized to use any and all nonstate funds for the purposes specified in this section. (4) In developing the family resident training program, the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University will develop or contract for the development of training programs in a number of different locations in the state to promote, to the maximum extent possible, the better distribution of family physicians within the state. (d) (1) In connection with the purposes of this section, and to develop postgraduate medical education opportunities in primary care fields, the University of Tennessee is authorized and directed to establish a clinical medical education center at Jackson. (2) The funds necessary for the planning of the clinical center may be expended from the appropriation provided in this section. (e) (1) In addition to the resident training opportunities created by subsection (c), and subject to specific appropriation of funds by the general assembly, the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and the East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine, in cooperation with the department of health and the Tennessee higher education commission, shall administer additional resident training opportunities focusing on family medicine, general pediatrics, primary care medicine-pediatrics, and psychiatry to provide medical and behavioral health services in medically underserved areas and rural counties, distributed across all three (3) grand divisions of this state. (2) The University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University may contract with other accredited medical schools and sponsoring institutions of residency programs approved by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to provide doctor of medicine resident training opportunities consistent with this subsection (e). (3) The resident training opportunities created under this subsection (e): (A) Must be open to all qualified candidates and filled through the existing matching process used for graduate medical education; (B) Must make maximum feasible use of non-state funds from the federal government, private sources, and fees for services in a manner that is consistent with accreditation standards when developing and implementing the additional resident training opportunities; and (C) Are not eligible for graduate medical education funds distributed by the bureau of TennCare pursuant to § 71-5-2005(d)(1)(C) . Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 587, s 1, eff. 7/1/2021. Acts 1974, ch. 791, §§ 1-5; T.C.A., §§ 49-3360 -- 49-3362.
(a) There is created the Tennessee family practice residency program for the purpose of training resident physicians in the field of family practice, and to encourage family practice physicians to settle and establish private family practices in areas of the state with physician shortages.
(b) (1) The program shall be administered by the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in cooperation with the department of health and by East Tennessee State University in upper east Tennessee. (2) The University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University may contract with other accredited medical schools in the state to provide family resident training programs that are consistent with the overall objectives of this program.
(1) The program shall be administered by the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in cooperation with the department of health and by East Tennessee State University in upper east Tennessee.
(2) The University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University may contract with other accredited medical schools in the state to provide family resident training programs that are consistent with the overall objectives of this program.
(c) (1) The University of Tennessee College of Medicine and East Tennessee State University, in consultation with the appropriate officials of the department of health, will develop and implement a plan to establish family practice resident training programs in each of the grand divisions so that training opportunities for at least one hundred fifty (150) residents will be available within three (3) years, a minimum of thirty (30) residents being located in the tri-cities area. (2) The program shall make maximum feasible use of nonstate funds from the federal government, private sources, and fees for services in developing and implementing the program, consistent with the requirements for a high quality educational program that meets all of the standards for accreditation. (3) The University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University are authorized to use any and all nonstate funds for the purposes specified in this section. (4) In developing the family resident training program, the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University will develop or contract for the development of training programs in a number of different locations in the state to promote, to the maximum extent possible, the better distribution of family physicians within the state.
(1) The University of Tennessee College of Medicine and East Tennessee State University, in consultation with the appropriate officials of the department of health, will develop and implement a plan to establish family practice resident training programs in each of the grand divisions so that training opportunities for at least one hundred fifty (150) residents will be available within three (3) years, a minimum of thirty (30) residents being located in the tri-cities area.
(2) The program shall make maximum feasible use of nonstate funds from the federal government, private sources, and fees for services in developing and implementing the program, consistent with the requirements for a high quality educational program that meets all of the standards for accreditation.
(3) The University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University are authorized to use any and all nonstate funds for the purposes specified in this section.
(4) In developing the family resident training program, the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University will develop or contract for the development of training programs in a number of different locations in the state to promote, to the maximum extent possible, the better distribution of family physicians within the state.
(d) (1) In connection with the purposes of this section, and to develop postgraduate medical education opportunities in primary care fields, the University of Tennessee is authorized and directed to establish a clinical medical education center at Jackson. (2) The funds necessary for the planning of the clinical center may be expended from the appropriation provided in this section.
(1) In connection with the purposes of this section, and to develop postgraduate medical education opportunities in primary care fields, the University of Tennessee is authorized and directed to establish a clinical medical education center at Jackson.
(2) The funds necessary for the planning of the clinical center may be expended from the appropriation provided in this section.
(e) (1) In addition to the resident training opportunities created by subsection (c), and subject to specific appropriation of funds by the general assembly, the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and the East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine, in cooperation with the department of health and the Tennessee higher education commission, shall administer additional resident training opportunities focusing on family medicine, general pediatrics, primary care medicine-pediatrics, and psychiatry to provide medical and behavioral health services in medically underserved areas and rural counties, distributed across all three (3) grand divisions of this state. (2) The University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University may contract with other accredited medical schools and sponsoring institutions of residency programs approved by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to provide doctor of medicine resident training opportunities consistent with this subsection (e). (3) The resident training opportunities created under this subsection (e): (A) Must be open to all qualified candidates and filled through the existing matching process used for graduate medical education; (B) Must make maximum feasible use of non-state funds from the federal government, private sources, and fees for services in a manner that is consistent with accreditation standards when developing and implementing the additional resident training opportunities; and (C) Are not eligible for graduate medical education funds distributed by the bureau of TennCare pursuant to § 71-5-2005(d)(1)(C) .
(1) In addition to the resident training opportunities created by subsection (c), and subject to specific appropriation of funds by the general assembly, the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and the East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine, in cooperation with the department of health and the Tennessee higher education commission, shall administer additional resident training opportunities focusing on family medicine, general pediatrics, primary care medicine-pediatrics, and psychiatry to provide medical and behavioral health services in medically underserved areas and rural counties, distributed across all three (3) grand divisions of this state.
(2) The University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University may contract with other accredited medical schools and sponsoring institutions of residency programs approved by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to provide doctor of medicine resident training opportunities consistent with this subsection (e).
(3) The resident training opportunities created under this subsection (e): (A) Must be open to all qualified candidates and filled through the existing matching process used for graduate medical education; (B) Must make maximum feasible use of non-state funds from the federal government, private sources, and fees for services in a manner that is consistent with accreditation standards when developing and implementing the additional resident training opportunities; and (C) Are not eligible for graduate medical education funds distributed by the bureau of TennCare pursuant to § 71-5-2005(d)(1)(C) .
(A) Must be open to all qualified candidates and filled through the existing matching process used for graduate medical education;
(B) Must make maximum feasible use of non-state funds from the federal government, private sources, and fees for services in a manner that is consistent with accreditation standards when developing and implementing the additional resident training opportunities; and
(C) Are not eligible for graduate medical education funds distributed by the bureau of TennCare pursuant to § 71-5-2005(d)(1)(C) .
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 587, s 1, eff. 7/1/2021.
Acts 1974, ch. 791, §§ 1-5; T.C.A., §§ 49-3360 -- 49-3362.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-1-311 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 49-1-311
Appointment of standards review and development committees and advisory teams - Website for public comment - Recommendations
Status: in_force

(a) As required by the current established process: (1) The state board shall appoint two (2) standards review and development committees. One (1) committee shall be an English language arts standards review and development committee, and one (1) committee shall be a mathematics standards review and development committee. Each committee shall be composed of two (2) representatives from institutions of higher education located in the state and six (6) educators who reside in the state and work in grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12); (2) The state board shall also appoint six (6) advisory teams. Three (3) advisory teams shall advise and assist the English language arts standards review and development committee, and three (3) advisory teams shall advise and assist the mathematics standards review and development committee. The advisory teams shall be structured by grade levels, so that one (1) advisory team reviews standards for kindergarten through grade five (K-5), one (1) for grades six through eight (6-8), and one (1) for grades nine through twelve (9-12) in each subject. Each advisory team shall be composed of one (1) representative from an institution of higher education located in the state and six (6) educators who reside in the state and work in the appropriate grade levels and subject; (3) The public's assistance in reviewing the current standards and suggesting changes to the current standards shall be elicited through a website that shall allow comment by the public, as well as by educators, on the current standards. A third-party, independent educational resource, selected by the state board, shall collect all of the data and transmit all of the information gathered to the state board for dissemination to the appropriate advisory team for review and consideration; (4) Each advisory team shall review the current standards for its subject matter and grade level together with the comments and suggestions gathered from the public and educators. After an advisory team has conducted its review, the team shall make recommendations for changes to the current standards to the appropriate standards review and development committee; and (5) Each standards review and development committee shall review its advisory teams' reports and make recommendations for the new set of standards to the standards recommendation committee created in § 49-1-312(a) . (b) (1) Beginning in 2018, the state board shall ensure that the standards review and development committees and advisory teams review the standards for English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies pursuant to §§ 49-1-311 - 49-1-313 at least once every eight (8) years from the last adoption. The standards review and development committees and advisory teams shall make recommendations for adoption of new standards in these subject areas to the state board, and the state board shall vote on whether to adopt the recommended standards. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1), the state board may extend the eight-year period required for the standards review and development committees and advisory teams to review the standards for English language arts and mathematics under subdivision (b)(1) one (1) time for a period not to exceed three (3) years. (c) Any unexpended funds appropriated for the purposes of this section shall not revert to the general fund, but shall be carried forward into the subsequent fiscal year to effectuate the purposes of this section. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 192, s 2, eff. 4/24/2023. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 192, s 1, eff. 4/24/2023. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 270, s 1, eff. 4/30/2019. Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 697, s 1, eff. 4/12/2018. Added by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 423, s 1, eff. 5/11/2015.
(a) As required by the current established process: (1) The state board shall appoint two (2) standards review and development committees. One (1) committee shall be an English language arts standards review and development committee, and one (1) committee shall be a mathematics standards review and development committee. Each committee shall be composed of two (2) representatives from institutions of higher education located in the state and six (6) educators who reside in the state and work in grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12); (2) The state board shall also appoint six (6) advisory teams. Three (3) advisory teams shall advise and assist the English language arts standards review and development committee, and three (3) advisory teams shall advise and assist the mathematics standards review and development committee. The advisory teams shall be structured by grade levels, so that one (1) advisory team reviews standards for kindergarten through grade five (K-5), one (1) for grades six through eight (6-8), and one (1) for grades nine through twelve (9-12) in each subject. Each advisory team shall be composed of one (1) representative from an institution of higher education located in the state and six (6) educators who reside in the state and work in the appropriate grade levels and subject; (3) The public's assistance in reviewing the current standards and suggesting changes to the current standards shall be elicited through a website that shall allow comment by the public, as well as by educators, on the current standards. A third-party, independent educational resource, selected by the state board, shall collect all of the data and transmit all of the information gathered to the state board for dissemination to the appropriate advisory team for review and consideration; (4) Each advisory team shall review the current standards for its subject matter and grade level together with the comments and suggestions gathered from the public and educators. After an advisory team has conducted its review, the team shall make recommendations for changes to the current standards to the appropriate standards review and development committee; and (5) Each standards review and development committee shall review its advisory teams' reports and make recommendations for the new set of standards to the standards recommendation committee created in § 49-1-312(a) .
(1) The state board shall appoint two (2) standards review and development committees. One (1) committee shall be an English language arts standards review and development committee, and one (1) committee shall be a mathematics standards review and development committee. Each committee shall be composed of two (2) representatives from institutions of higher education located in the state and six (6) educators who reside in the state and work in grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12);
(2) The state board shall also appoint six (6) advisory teams. Three (3) advisory teams shall advise and assist the English language arts standards review and development committee, and three (3) advisory teams shall advise and assist the mathematics standards review and development committee. The advisory teams shall be structured by grade levels, so that one (1) advisory team reviews standards for kindergarten through grade five (K-5), one (1) for grades six through eight (6-8), and one (1) for grades nine through twelve (9-12) in each subject. Each advisory team shall be composed of one (1) representative from an institution of higher education located in the state and six (6) educators who reside in the state and work in the appropriate grade levels and subject;
(3) The public's assistance in reviewing the current standards and suggesting changes to the current standards shall be elicited through a website that shall allow comment by the public, as well as by educators, on the current standards. A third-party, independent educational resource, selected by the state board, shall collect all of the data and transmit all of the information gathered to the state board for dissemination to the appropriate advisory team for review and consideration;
(4) Each advisory team shall review the current standards for its subject matter and grade level together with the comments and suggestions gathered from the public and educators. After an advisory team has conducted its review, the team shall make recommendations for changes to the current standards to the appropriate standards review and development committee; and
(5) Each standards review and development committee shall review its advisory teams' reports and make recommendations for the new set of standards to the standards recommendation committee created in § 49-1-312(a) .
(b) (1) Beginning in 2018, the state board shall ensure that the standards review and development committees and advisory teams review the standards for English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies pursuant to §§ 49-1-311 - 49-1-313 at least once every eight (8) years from the last adoption. The standards review and development committees and advisory teams shall make recommendations for adoption of new standards in these subject areas to the state board, and the state board shall vote on whether to adopt the recommended standards. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1), the state board may extend the eight-year period required for the standards review and development committees and advisory teams to review the standards for English language arts and mathematics under subdivision (b)(1) one (1) time for a period not to exceed three (3) years.
(1) Beginning in 2018, the state board shall ensure that the standards review and development committees and advisory teams review the standards for English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies pursuant to §§ 49-1-311 - 49-1-313 at least once every eight (8) years from the last adoption. The standards review and development committees and advisory teams shall make recommendations for adoption of new standards in these subject areas to the state board, and the state board shall vote on whether to adopt the recommended standards.
(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (b)(1), the state board may extend the eight-year period required for the standards review and development committees and advisory teams to review the standards for English language arts and mathematics under subdivision (b)(1) one (1) time for a period not to exceed three (3) years.
(c) Any unexpended funds appropriated for the purposes of this section shall not revert to the general fund, but shall be carried forward into the subsequent fiscal year to effectuate the purposes of this section.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 192, s 2, eff. 4/24/2023.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 192, s 1, eff. 4/24/2023.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 270, s 1, eff. 4/30/2019.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 697, s 1, eff. 4/12/2018.
Added by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 423, s 1, eff. 5/11/2015.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-1-702 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 49-1-702
Part definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this part: (1) "Aggregate data" means data collected or reported at the group, cohort or institutional level; (2) "Biometric record" means a record of one (1) or more measurable biological or behavioral characteristics that can be used for automated recognition of an individual; (3) "Covered information" means personally identifiable information or material, or information that is linked to personally identifiable information or material, in any media or format that is not publicly available and is: (A) Created by or provided to an operator by a student, or the student's parent or legal guardian, in the course of the student's, parent's, or legal guardian's use of the operator's site, service, or application for K-12 school purposes; (B) Created by or provided to an operator by an employee or agent of a K-12 school or an LEA for K-12 school purposes; or (C) Gathered by an operator through the operation of its site, service, or application for K-12 school purposes and personally identifies a student; (4) "Data system" means the body of student data collected by the department of education; (5) "De-identified data" means a student dataset in which parent and student identifying information, including the personal identification number, has been removed; (6) "Department" means the department of education; (7) "FERPA" means the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( 20 U.S.C. § 1232g ); (8) "Interactive computer service" means any information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service or system that provides access to the internet and such systems operated or services offered by libraries or educational institutions; (9) "K-12 school" means a school that offers any of the grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12) and is operated by an LEA; (10) "K-12 school purposes" means purposes that are directed by or that customarily take place at the direction of a K-12 school, teacher, or LEA or that aid in the administration of school activities, including, but not limited to, instruction in the classroom or at home, administrative activities, and collaboration among students, school personnel, or parents, or are otherwise for the use and benefit of the school; (11) "Operator" means, to the extent that it is operating in this capacity, the operator of an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application with actual knowledge that the site, service, or application is used primarily for K-12 school purposes and is designed and marketed for K-12 school purposes; (12) "Persistent unique identifier" means a unique reference number used as an identifier in computer software that is stored across different usage sessions; (13) "Personal identification number" means the unique student identifier assigned to a student under § 49-6-5101 ; (14) "State board" means the state board of education; (15) (A) "Student data" means data collected or reported at the individual student level that is included in a student's educational record; (B) "Student data" includes: (i) State and national assessment results, including information on untested public school students; (ii) Course taking and completion, credits earned and other transcript information; (iii) Course grades and grade point average; (iv) Date of birth, grade level and expected graduation date or graduation cohort; (v) Degree, diploma, credential attainment and other school exit information such as receipt of a high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education and drop-out data; (vi) Attendance and mobility; (vii) Data required to calculate the federal four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate, including sufficient exit and drop-out information; (viii) Discipline reports limited to objective information sufficient to produce the federal Title IV annual incident report; (ix) Remediation; (x) Special education data; and (xi) Demographic data and program participation information; and (C) Unless included in a student's educational record, "student data" does not include: (i) Juvenile delinquency records; (ii) Criminal records; (iii) Medical and health records; (iv) Student social security number; and (v) Student biometric information; (16) "Targeted advertising" means presenting advertisements to a student where advertisements are selected based on information obtained or inferred over time from that student's online behavior, usage of applications, or covered information. "Targeted advertising" does not include advertising to a student at an online location based upon that student's current visit to that location, or in response to that student's request for information or feedback, without the retention of that student's online activities or requests over time for the purpose of targeting subsequent advertisements; and (17) "Teacher data" means personal summative and evaluation scores, the access to which is limited to the department, LEA administrators, local boards of education or those with direct supervisory authority who require such access to perform their assigned duties. Nothing in this part shall restrict the availability of information pursuant to § 49-1-606 . Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 114, s 11, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 757, s 2, eff. 7/1/2016. Added by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 905, s 4, eff. 7/1/2014.
As used in this part:
(1) "Aggregate data" means data collected or reported at the group, cohort or institutional level;
(2) "Biometric record" means a record of one (1) or more measurable biological or behavioral characteristics that can be used for automated recognition of an individual;
(3) "Covered information" means personally identifiable information or material, or information that is linked to personally identifiable information or material, in any media or format that is not publicly available and is: (A) Created by or provided to an operator by a student, or the student's parent or legal guardian, in the course of the student's, parent's, or legal guardian's use of the operator's site, service, or application for K-12 school purposes; (B) Created by or provided to an operator by an employee or agent of a K-12 school or an LEA for K-12 school purposes; or (C) Gathered by an operator through the operation of its site, service, or application for K-12 school purposes and personally identifies a student;
(A) Created by or provided to an operator by a student, or the student's parent or legal guardian, in the course of the student's, parent's, or legal guardian's use of the operator's site, service, or application for K-12 school purposes;
(B) Created by or provided to an operator by an employee or agent of a K-12 school or an LEA for K-12 school purposes; or
(C) Gathered by an operator through the operation of its site, service, or application for K-12 school purposes and personally identifies a student;
(4) "Data system" means the body of student data collected by the department of education;
(5) "De-identified data" means a student dataset in which parent and student identifying information, including the personal identification number, has been removed;
(6) "Department" means the department of education;
(7) "FERPA" means the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( 20 U.S.C. § 1232g );
(8) "Interactive computer service" means any information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service or system that provides access to the internet and such systems operated or services offered by libraries or educational institutions;
(9) "K-12 school" means a school that offers any of the grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12) and is operated by an LEA;
(10) "K-12 school purposes" means purposes that are directed by or that customarily take place at the direction of a K-12 school, teacher, or LEA or that aid in the administration of school activities, including, but not limited to, instruction in the classroom or at home, administrative activities, and collaboration among students, school personnel, or parents, or are otherwise for the use and benefit of the school;
(11) "Operator" means, to the extent that it is operating in this capacity, the operator of an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application with actual knowledge that the site, service, or application is used primarily for K-12 school purposes and is designed and marketed for K-12 school purposes;
(12) "Persistent unique identifier" means a unique reference number used as an identifier in computer software that is stored across different usage sessions;
(13) "Personal identification number" means the unique student identifier assigned to a student under § 49-6-5101 ;
(14) "State board" means the state board of education;
(15) (A) "Student data" means data collected or reported at the individual student level that is included in a student's educational record; (B) "Student data" includes: (i) State and national assessment results, including information on untested public school students; (ii) Course taking and completion, credits earned and other transcript information; (iii) Course grades and grade point average; (iv) Date of birth, grade level and expected graduation date or graduation cohort; (v) Degree, diploma, credential attainment and other school exit information such as receipt of a high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education and drop-out data; (vi) Attendance and mobility; (vii) Data required to calculate the federal four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate, including sufficient exit and drop-out information; (viii) Discipline reports limited to objective information sufficient to produce the federal Title IV annual incident report; (ix) Remediation; (x) Special education data; and (xi) Demographic data and program participation information; and (C) Unless included in a student's educational record, "student data" does not include: (i) Juvenile delinquency records; (ii) Criminal records; (iii) Medical and health records; (iv) Student social security number; and (v) Student biometric information;
(A) "Student data" means data collected or reported at the individual student level that is included in a student's educational record;
(B) "Student data" includes: (i) State and national assessment results, including information on untested public school students; (ii) Course taking and completion, credits earned and other transcript information; (iii) Course grades and grade point average; (iv) Date of birth, grade level and expected graduation date or graduation cohort; (v) Degree, diploma, credential attainment and other school exit information such as receipt of a high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education and drop-out data; (vi) Attendance and mobility; (vii) Data required to calculate the federal four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate, including sufficient exit and drop-out information; (viii) Discipline reports limited to objective information sufficient to produce the federal Title IV annual incident report; (ix) Remediation; (x) Special education data; and (xi) Demographic data and program participation information; and
(i) State and national assessment results, including information on untested public school students;
(ii) Course taking and completion, credits earned and other transcript information;
(iii) Course grades and grade point average;
(iv) Date of birth, grade level and expected graduation date or graduation cohort;
(v) Degree, diploma, credential attainment and other school exit information such as receipt of a high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education and drop-out data;
(vi) Attendance and mobility;
(vii) Data required to calculate the federal four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate, including sufficient exit and drop-out information;
(viii) Discipline reports limited to objective information sufficient to produce the federal Title IV annual incident report;
(ix) Remediation;
(x) Special education data; and
(xi) Demographic data and program participation information; and
(C) Unless included in a student's educational record, "student data" does not include: (i) Juvenile delinquency records; (ii) Criminal records; (iii) Medical and health records; (iv) Student social security number; and (v) Student biometric information;
(i) Juvenile delinquency records;
(ii) Criminal records;
(iii) Medical and health records;
(iv) Student social security number; and
(v) Student biometric information;
(16) "Targeted advertising" means presenting advertisements to a student where advertisements are selected based on information obtained or inferred over time from that student's online behavior, usage of applications, or covered information. "Targeted advertising" does not include advertising to a student at an online location based upon that student's current visit to that location, or in response to that student's request for information or feedback, without the retention of that student's online activities or requests over time for the purpose of targeting subsequent advertisements; and
(17) "Teacher data" means personal summative and evaluation scores, the access to which is limited to the department, LEA administrators, local boards of education or those with direct supervisory authority who require such access to perform their assigned duties. Nothing in this part shall restrict the availability of information pursuant to § 49-1-606 .
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 114, s 11, eff. 7/1/2023.
Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 757, s 2, eff. 7/1/2016.
Added by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 905, s 4, eff. 7/1/2014.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-13-121 — TN Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 49-13-121
Renewal of charter - Voluntary closure
Status: in_force

(a) No later than April 1 of the year prior to the year in which the charter expires, the governing body of a public charter school seeking renewal shall submit a renewal application to the local board of education, if the local board of education is the authorizer, or to the commission or the local board of education, if the commission is the authorizer, on the standardized application form developed by the department of education. (b) A public charter school renewal application must contain a report of the public charter school's operations, including students' standardized test scores, financial statements, and audits for the eight (8) years immediately preceding the date of the renewal application. (c) Three (3) months prior to the date on which a public charter school is required to submit a renewal application, the authorizer shall submit to the public charter school a performance report that reflects the renewal evaluation. (d) On or before the February 1 of the year in which the charter expires, the authorizer to which the renewal application was submitted shall rule by resolution to approve or deny the public charter school's renewal application. The authorizer shall consider the renewal application, the annual progress reports required under § 49-13-120 , and the renewal performance report required under subsection (b) when deciding whether to approve or deny the public charter school's renewal application. (e) (1) Until 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2020: (A) A local board of education's decision to deny a renewal application may be appealed by the governing body to the state board of education no later than ten (10) days after the date of the local board of education's decision; (B) If the state board of education finds that the local board of education's decision to deny renewal of a charter agreement is contrary to the best interest of the students, LEA, or community, and the renewal application is for a public charter school in an LEA that does not contain a school on the current or last preceding priority school list, then the state board of education shall remand the decision to the local board of education with written instructions for approval of the renewal application. The local board of education shall remain the authorizer; (C) If the state board of education finds that the local board of education's decision not to renew a charter agreement was contrary to the best interests of the students, LEA, or community, and the renewal application is for a public charter school in an LEA that contains at least one (1) school on the current or last preceding priority school list, then the state board of education shall approve the renewal application and the state board of education shall be the authorizer; and (D) A decision by the state board of education to deny the renewal of a charter agreement is final and is not subject to appeal. (2) This subsection (e) is repealed at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2020. (f) Beginning immediately upon the repeal of subsection (e): (1) A local board of education's decision to deny a renewal application may be appealed by the governing body to the commission no later than ten (10) days after the date of the local board of education's decision; (2) If the commission finds that the local board of education's decision to deny renewal of a charter agreement is contrary to the best interest of the students, LEA, or community, then the commission shall approve the renewal application and the commission shall become the authorizer. A decision by the commission to deny the renewal charter agreement is final and is not subject to appeal; and (3) If the commission approves the renewal of a charter agreement on appeal from a local board of education, then the public charter school and the commission shall enter into a renewed charter agreement in accordance with § 49-13-110(a) . (g) If a public charter school renewal application is approved, then the term of the renewed charter agreement shall be for ten (10) academic years. (h) A decision to deny renewal of a charter agreement becomes effective at the close of the school year. (i) No later than ten (10) days after an authorizer adopts a resolution to renew or deny renewal of a charter agreement, the authorizer shall report the authorizer's decision to the department of education and shall provide a copy of the resolution that sets forth the authorizer's decision and the reasons for the decision. (j) If a public charter school voluntarily closes, then the public charter school's agreement with the authorizer ceases to be effective as of the public charter school's closing date. (k) The authorizer shall conduct an interim review of a public charter school in the fifth year of a public charter school's initial period of operation and in the fifth year following any renewal of a charter agreement under guidelines developed by the department of education. The guidelines must require a public charter school to submit a report to the authorizer on the progress of the public charter school in achieving its goals and objectives, including student performance and other terms of the approved charter agreement. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 219, s 71, eff. 4/26/2019. Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 307, s 17, eff. 7/1/2017. Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 850, Secs.s 13, s 14eff. 4/30/2014. Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 326, s 10, eff. 7/1/2013. Acts 2002, ch. 850, § 22; 2005, ch. 414, §7; 2009 , ch. 555, §§ 9- 12; 2011 , ch. 507, § 12; 2012, ch. 1097, § 3.
(a) No later than April 1 of the year prior to the year in which the charter expires, the governing body of a public charter school seeking renewal shall submit a renewal application to the local board of education, if the local board of education is the authorizer, or to the commission or the local board of education, if the commission is the authorizer, on the standardized application form developed by the department of education.
(b) A public charter school renewal application must contain a report of the public charter school's operations, including students' standardized test scores, financial statements, and audits for the eight (8) years immediately preceding the date of the renewal application.
(c) Three (3) months prior to the date on which a public charter school is required to submit a renewal application, the authorizer shall submit to the public charter school a performance report that reflects the renewal evaluation.
(d) On or before the February 1 of the year in which the charter expires, the authorizer to which the renewal application was submitted shall rule by resolution to approve or deny the public charter school's renewal application. The authorizer shall consider the renewal application, the annual progress reports required under § 49-13-120 , and the renewal performance report required under subsection (b) when deciding whether to approve or deny the public charter school's renewal application.
(e) (1) Until 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2020: (A) A local board of education's decision to deny a renewal application may be appealed by the governing body to the state board of education no later than ten (10) days after the date of the local board of education's decision; (B) If the state board of education finds that the local board of education's decision to deny renewal of a charter agreement is contrary to the best interest of the students, LEA, or community, and the renewal application is for a public charter school in an LEA that does not contain a school on the current or last preceding priority school list, then the state board of education shall remand the decision to the local board of education with written instructions for approval of the renewal application. The local board of education shall remain the authorizer; (C) If the state board of education finds that the local board of education's decision not to renew a charter agreement was contrary to the best interests of the students, LEA, or community, and the renewal application is for a public charter school in an LEA that contains at least one (1) school on the current or last preceding priority school list, then the state board of education shall approve the renewal application and the state board of education shall be the authorizer; and (D) A decision by the state board of education to deny the renewal of a charter agreement is final and is not subject to appeal. (2) This subsection (e) is repealed at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2020.
(1) Until 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2020: (A) A local board of education's decision to deny a renewal application may be appealed by the governing body to the state board of education no later than ten (10) days after the date of the local board of education's decision; (B) If the state board of education finds that the local board of education's decision to deny renewal of a charter agreement is contrary to the best interest of the students, LEA, or community, and the renewal application is for a public charter school in an LEA that does not contain a school on the current or last preceding priority school list, then the state board of education shall remand the decision to the local board of education with written instructions for approval of the renewal application. The local board of education shall remain the authorizer; (C) If the state board of education finds that the local board of education's decision not to renew a charter agreement was contrary to the best interests of the students, LEA, or community, and the renewal application is for a public charter school in an LEA that contains at least one (1) school on the current or last preceding priority school list, then the state board of education shall approve the renewal application and the state board of education shall be the authorizer; and (D) A decision by the state board of education to deny the renewal of a charter agreement is final and is not subject to appeal.
(A) A local board of education's decision to deny a renewal application may be appealed by the governing body to the state board of education no later than ten (10) days after the date of the local board of education's decision;
(B) If the state board of education finds that the local board of education's decision to deny renewal of a charter agreement is contrary to the best interest of the students, LEA, or community, and the renewal application is for a public charter school in an LEA that does not contain a school on the current or last preceding priority school list, then the state board of education shall remand the decision to the local board of education with written instructions for approval of the renewal application. The local board of education shall remain the authorizer;
(C) If the state board of education finds that the local board of education's decision not to renew a charter agreement was contrary to the best interests of the students, LEA, or community, and the renewal application is for a public charter school in an LEA that contains at least one (1) school on the current or last preceding priority school list, then the state board of education shall approve the renewal application and the state board of education shall be the authorizer; and
(D) A decision by the state board of education to deny the renewal of a charter agreement is final and is not subject to appeal.
(2) This subsection (e) is repealed at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2020.
(f) Beginning immediately upon the repeal of subsection (e): (1) A local board of education's decision to deny a renewal application may be appealed by the governing body to the commission no later than ten (10) days after the date of the local board of education's decision; (2) If the commission finds that the local board of education's decision to deny renewal of a charter agreement is contrary to the best interest of the students, LEA, or community, then the commission shall approve the renewal application and the commission shall become the authorizer. A decision by the commission to deny the renewal charter agreement is final and is not subject to appeal; and (3) If the commission approves the renewal of a charter agreement on appeal from a local board of education, then the public charter school and the commission shall enter into a renewed charter agreement in accordance with § 49-13-110(a) .
(1) A local board of education's decision to deny a renewal application may be appealed by the governing body to the commission no later than ten (10) days after the date of the local board of education's decision;
(2) If the commission finds that the local board of education's decision to deny renewal of a charter agreement is contrary to the best interest of the students, LEA, or community, then the commission shall approve the renewal application and the commission shall become the authorizer. A decision by the commission to deny the renewal charter agreement is final and is not subject to appeal; and
(3) If the commission approves the renewal of a charter agreement on appeal from a local board of education, then the public charter school and the commission shall enter into a renewed charter agreement in accordance with § 49-13-110(a) .
(g) If a public charter school renewal application is approved, then the term of the renewed charter agreement shall be for ten (10) academic years.
(h) A decision to deny renewal of a charter agreement becomes effective at the close of the school year.
(i) No later than ten (10) days after an authorizer adopts a resolution to renew or deny renewal of a charter agreement, the authorizer shall report the authorizer's decision to the department of education and shall provide a copy of the resolution that sets forth the authorizer's decision and the reasons for the decision.
(j) If a public charter school voluntarily closes, then the public charter school's agreement with the authorizer ceases to be effective as of the public charter school's closing date.
(k) The authorizer shall conduct an interim review of a public charter school in the fifth year of a public charter school's initial period of operation and in the fifth year following any renewal of a charter agreement under guidelines developed by the department of education. The guidelines must require a public charter school to submit a report to the authorizer on the progress of the public charter school in achieving its goals and objectives, including student performance and other terms of the approved charter agreement.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 219, s 71, eff. 4/26/2019.
Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 307, s 17, eff. 7/1/2017.
Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 850, Secs.s 13, s 14eff. 4/30/2014.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 326, s 10, eff. 7/1/2013.
Acts 2002, ch. 850, § 22; 2005, ch. 414, §7; 2009 , ch. 555, §§ 9- 12; 2011 , ch. 507, § 12; 2012, ch. 1097, § 3.