AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to education.
Impact
The implications of HB2409 are significant for the state laws governing education funding and accountability. By requiring detailed reporting from nonpublic schools that benefit from public financial assistance, the bill aims to create a clearer picture of how these schools operate and perform. This shift towards more stringent oversight could lead to enhanced scrutiny of the educational outcomes for students attending these institutions. The data collected will be annually reported to the General Assembly, promoting a legislative focus on the effectiveness of state resources allocated for private education.
Summary
House Bill 2409 seeks to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Title 49 concerning education. The bill mandates the Department of Education to collect comprehensive annual data from nonpublic schools that receive public funds through various educational programs such as scholarships or vouchers. This information collection includes details on tuition, financial aid, admission policies, as well as demographic data on enrolled students, their performance on state assessments, and the graduation and dropout rates from those institutions. The intent is to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds for education purposes.
Contention
Debate surrounding HB2409 centers on issues of privacy and the appropriateness of collecting such extensive data on students, particularly regarding sensitive areas like race, income, and disability status. Opponents may argue that the requirement for such detailed demographic reporting could infringe on students' privacy rights, while proponents advocate the need for transparency and accountability in how public funds are utilized. The bill represents an effort to balance support for educational choices via nonpublic schools with the need for public oversight of funding used in these settings.