Tennessee Senate Bill SB0951

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to education.

Impact

The implications of this bill are significant for local education authorities (LEAs) and public charter schools in Tennessee. With the introduction of these retention standards, schools will be required to closely monitor student performance on standardized tests and provide additional support for those who do not meet the new benchmarks. This may lead to an increase in academic resources aimed at early literacy, emphasizing tutoring and small group instruction to enhance student outcomes.

Summary

SB0951 is an act that seeks to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically within Title 49 regarding education. The bill introduces criteria for student retention in grades K-2 based on performance in reading assessments, requiring that students demonstrate proficiency to avoid being retained. Notably, it sets standards for proficiency through the TCAP test and universal reading screeners, establishing clear metrics for educational success at early grade levels. This change aims to ensure that students are prepared at foundational levels before advancing to higher grades.

Contention

Detractors of SB0951 may argue that the bill imposes rigid retention policies that could negatively affect students’ emotional well-being and hinder their confidence. Concerns are raised that such measures might disproportionately impact students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have access to additional educational resources outside of school. Moreover, the focus on standardized testing as a primary method of assessment could lead to teaching to the test, narrowing the curriculum and potentially neglecting other important areas of student learning.