Source: http://tnhomeed.com/2009Legis.html
Timestamp: 2013-12-11 09:33:03
Document Index: 388924146

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 9', 'art 1', 'art 9', 'art 4', 'art 8', 'art 8']

2009 Legislation, State of Tennessee, homeschooling
106th Tennessee General Assembly
TnHomeEd is on Twitter
http://Twitter.com/TnHomeEd
For urgent updates and instructions.
This page is an overview of the legislative session of 2009, the first year of the two year 106th General Assembly.
Please click on the bill number links for more detailed information to include the language of the bills and legislative contact information as it becomes available. Comments are those of
Kay Brooks, Founder of TnHomeEd.com.
As the following legislation status changes a page at TnHomeEd may be created for that particular legislation. If the bill numbers are underlined it's a hyperlink to either another section at TnHomeEd and much more information OR directly to the State of Tennessee's Legislative website while we wait for movement. If it's not underlined then there is no more additional information and what is in the box is all for now. There have been some significant improvements to the legislative website this year so everyone will be better able to track bills. A bills home page will also include applicable video. Citizens can create their own
MY BILLS page and receive RSS feeds when a bill's status changes. You can also go to your legislators home page and see what legislation they have sponsored.
HB0072-SB0843
by Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver (R-Lancaster) and Sen. Diane Black (R-Gallatin) This bill has been withdrawn and is dead.
See HB0797 for a similar bill.
Legislative summary: Schools, Home - As introduced, authorizes home-schooled students to participate in athletics in public schools if they comply with certain conditions. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49,Chapter 6, relative to home schooled students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE: SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-3050, is amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated subsection: ( ) (1) Students enrolled in home schools shall be permitted to participate in interscholastic activities including, but not limited to, athletics, art, music, drama and speech, engaged in or sponsored by public schools. (2) A home schooled student shall be eligible to participate at the public school to which the student would be assigned by the local board of education; provided, that:
(A) The student legally resides in the school district
(B) The student's parent or guardian gives notice to the local director of schools of the intent to conduct a home school pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) or if the student is in any of the grades nine through twelve (9-12), the student's parent or guardian registers the child with the LEA which the child otherwise would attend pursuant to subdivision (a)(2)(C)(i) (C) The student's parent or guardian applies in writing to the principal of the local school at which the student plans to participate in interscholastic activities before the beginning date of the season for the activity in which the student wishes to participate (D) If the student is in any of the grades nine through twelve (9-12), the student shall be at or above grade level as determined by the assessments required under subdivision (a)(2)(C)(ii) or subdivision (b)(5)(A). If the student is in grades kindergarten through eight (K-8), the student shall furnish information from standardized achievement tests pursuant to subdivision (a)(2)(A) or subdivision (b)(5)(A) that indicates the student is at or above grade level; (E) The student adheres to the same standards of behavior, responsibility, performance and code of conduct as other participants of the interscholastic activity and the student meets the same standards for acceptance as a participant in the activity as students from the public school who are participating in the activity; (F) The student meets all applicable Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association eligibility requirements not in conflict with this subsection.
(3) Any public school student who has been unable to maintain academic eligibility shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic activities as a home schooled student for the duration of the school year in which the student becomes academically ineligible and for the following year. The student shall take the examinations required under subdivision (2)(D) of this subsection at the end of the second year and meet the standards of subdivision (2)(D) of this subsection to become eligible for the third year. (4) No public school team or group shall be impeded from competing against any other public, private, non-public or church-related school's team or group merely because the school's team or group has home schooled students participating; provided, that the home schooled students participating meet the requirements of this subsection.
HB0431 - SB0433 by Rep. Mike Bell (R-Riceville) and Sen. Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland)
Signed into law by Governor Phil Bredesen.
See HB0431-SB0433 for details.
Legislative summary: Schools, Home - As introduced, requires that diplomas issued by home schools be recognized by all state and local governmental entities as having the same rights and privileges of diplomas issued by public school systems. - Amends TCA Title 1, Chapter 3.
This bill will clear up the problem homeschoolers have had over the last two years wherein DOE employee Cindy Benefield declared Cat. IV diplomas 'not worth the paper they are written on' and severely complicated the lives of homeschoolers working in the day care and peace officer fields. See
2008's HB1652-SB1827 for details.
<>Section 1-3-1__. Notwithstanding any rule, regulation, or other provision of law to the contrary, a high school diploma awarded by any legal form of education [education pursuant to � 49-50-801 or � 49-6-3050] in this state shall be considered by all departments, agencies, commissions or other such entities of state and local government as having all the rights and privileges of a high school diploma awarded by a public school system. This section shall not apply to state lottery proceeds as provided in title 49, chapter 4, part 9.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1,
Chapter 3, relative to recognition of certain educational accomplishments.
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 3, Part 1, is amended by adding a new section thereto, as follows:
Section 1-3-1__. Notwithstanding any rule, regulation, or other provision of law to the contrary, a high school diploma awarded by any legal form of education in this state shall be considered by all departments, agencies, commissions or other such entities of state and local government as having all the rights and privileges of a high school diploma awarded by a public school system. This section shall not apply to state lottery proceeds as provided in title 49, chapter 4, part 9.
### HB0432 - SB0483
by Rep. Mike Bell (R-Riceville) and Sen. Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland) This bill has been Gen Subbed and is likely dead for the session.
See HB0431 for a similar bill.
Legislative summary: Schools, Home - As introduced, clarifies that a diploma awarded to a graduate from a home school is acceptable for all purposes of licensure and certification by state and local governmental entities. - Amends TCA Title 1, Chapter 3 and Title 49, Chapter 6.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 3 and Title 49, Chapter 1, relative to recognition of certain educational accomplishments.
HB0797 - SB1262 by Rep. Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville) and
Sen. Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland)
In House K12 sub-committee for hearing in 2010. Senate version has been Gen Subbed with no action expected until 2010. See HB0797-SB1262 for video from House K-12 hearings.
Legislative summary: Education - As introduced, authorizes students who are home schooled to participate in public school sports under certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6.
Scheduled for hearing on 3/25/09 in the House K-12 committee, 10:00 am Room HHR16. This is the day AFTER the THEA Rally Day. If you're in town that day you should consider mentioning this legislation to your representative.
Chapter 6, relative to participation in athletics by home school students.
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 4, is amended by adding the following language as new, appropriately designated sections:
� 49-6-410. Interscholastic extracurricular student activities are an important complement to an academic curriculum. Participation in a comprehensive extracurricular and academic program contributes to the development of social and intellectual skills necessary to become a well-rounded adult. As used in this part, the term "extracurricular" means any school-authorized or education-related athletic activity occurring during or outside the regular instructional school day.
� 49-6-411.
(a) To be eligible to participate in interscholastic extracurricular student activities, a home school student shall be enrolled in a home school study program in compliance with Section 49-6-3050(b)(1), be registered with the local school superintendent by September 1 of the current school year, and maintain satisfactory conduct. A student shall be ineligible if convicted of a felony or an act which would have been a felony if committed by an adult.
(b) An individual home education student is eligible to participate at the public school to which the student would be assigned or authorized to attend according to district school board attendance area, provided:
(1) During the period of participation at a school, the home education student must demonstrate educational progress in all subjects taken in the home education program by a method of evaluation agreed upon by the parent and the school principal, which may include (a) Review of the student's work by a certified teacher chosen by the parent; (b) Grades earned through correspondence; (c) Grades earned in courses taken at a community college, university, or trade school; and (d) Standardized test scores above the 35th percentile.
(2) The home education student shall meet the same residency requirements as other students in the school at which such home education student participates.
(3) The home education student shall meet the same standards of acceptance, behavior, and performance as required of other students in extracurricular activities.
(4) The student shall register with the school his or her intent to participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities as a representative of the school before the beginning date of the season for the activity in which he or she wishes to participate. A home education student shall be able to participate in curricular activities if that is a requirement for the extracurricular activity.
(c) A student who transfers from a home education program to a public school before or during the first grading period of the school year is academically eligible to participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities during the first grading period provided the student has a successful evaluation from the previous school year, pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
(d) Any public school or private school student who has been unable to maintain academic eligibility for participation in interscholastic extracurricular activities is ineligible to participate in such activities as a home education student until the student has successfully completed one (1) grading period.
(e) Public schools are prohibited from membership in any organization or entity which regulates or governs interscholastic extracurricular activities and discriminates against eligible students in public, private, or home education.
(f) Any insurance provided by LEA's for participants in extracurricular activities shall cover the participating home education student. If there is an additional premium for such coverage, the participating home education student shall pay the premium.
*HB 0842-SB0989 by
Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver (R-Lancaster) and
Sen. Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) ) Taken off notice in the House and Gen Subbed in Senate. Likely dead for this year. Legislative Summary: Schools, Home - As introduced, authorizes church-related and home-schooled students to participate in athletics in public schools if they comply with certain conditions. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 50, Part 8 and Title 49, Chapter 6.
2009-04-3: Scheduled for hearing in the House K-12 Education sub-committee for next Wednesday, 4/8/09. See above for details.2009-03-23: Scheduled for hearing on 3/25/09 in the House K-12 committee, 10:00 am Room HHR16. This is the day AFTER the THEA Rally Day. If you're in town that day you should consider mentioning this legislation to your representative.
Chapter 50, Part 8 and Title 49, Chapter 6, relative
to participation in interscholastic activities.
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-3050, is amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated subsection:
(1) Students enrolled in home schools shall be permitted to participate in interscholastic activities including, but not limited to, athletics, art, music, drama and speech, engaged in or sponsored by public schools.
(2) A home schooled student shall be eligible to participate at the public school to which the student would be assigned by the local board of education, provided, that:
(B) The parent or guardian of the home school student applies in writing to the local principal of the school in which the home school student plans to participate in interscholastic activities. A home school student shall furnish information from a national normed reference test that indicates the child is at or above the grade level in which such student intends to compete;
(C) The student's parent or guardian applies in writing to the principal of the local school at which the student plans to participate in interscholastic activities before the beginning date of the season for the activity in which the student wishes to participate;
(D) The student adheres to the same standards of behavior, responsibility, performance and code of conduct as other participants of the interscholastic activity and the student meets the same standards for acceptance as a participant in the activity as students from the public school who are participating in the activity; and
(E) The student meets all applicable Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association eligibility requirements not in conflict with this subsection.
(3) Any public school student who has been unable to maintain academic eligibility shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic activities as a home schooled student for the duration of the school year in which the student becomes academically ineligible and for the following year. The student shall take the examinations required under subdivision (2)(B) of this subsection at the end of the second year and meet the standards of subdivision (2)(B) of this subsection to become eligible for the third year.
(4) No public school team or group shall be impeded from competing against any other public, private, non-public or church-related school's team or group merely because the school's team or group has home schooled students participating; provided, that the home schooled students participating meet the requirements of this subsection.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-50-801, is amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated subsection:
(1) Students enrolled in church-related schools shall be permitted to participate in interscholastic activities including, but not limited to, athletics, art, music, drama and speech, engaged in or sponsored by public schools.
(2) A church-related schooled student shall be eligible to participate at the public school to which the student would be assigned by the local board of education, provided, that:
(B) The parent or guardian of the church-related school student applies in writing to the local principal of the school in which the church-related school student plans to participate in interscholastic activities. A church-related school student shall furnish information from a national normed reference test that indicates the child is at or above the grade level in which such student intends to compete;
-(3) Any public school student who has been unable to maintain academic eligibility shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic activities as a church-related schooled student for the duration of the school year in which the student becomes academically ineligible and for the following year. The student shall take the examinations required under subdivision (2)(B) of this subsection at the end of the second year and meet the standards of subdivision (2)(B) of this subsection to become eligible for the third year.
(4) No public school team or group shall be impeded from competing against any other public, private, non-public or home school's team or group merely because the school's team or group has church-related schooled students participating; provided, that the church-related schooled students participating meet the requirements of this subsection.