AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to K-12 education.
Impact
The proposed law aims to enhance the educational outcomes of students struggling with mathematics by requiring schools to provide specific support measures. Academic supports can include options such as tutoring services throughout the year, participation in learning loss bridge camps, and supplemental instruction targeting identified deficiencies. The initiative underscores the commitment to ensure that students achieve necessary proficiency levels in mathematics, potentially influencing future academic achievements and overall educational equity.
Summary
House Bill 2416 introduces a series of amendments to the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically targeting K-12 education and student mathematics proficiency. The bill mandates that if students in grades 3 to 8 do not achieve an 'on track' or 'mastered' performance rating on their mathematics assessments, their local education agency (LEA) or charter school must notify parents or guardians within ten days. This notification must detail the student's need for additional academic supports tailored to improve their mathematics skills.
Contention
While the bill intends to bolster academic support for struggling students, there could be points of contention regarding the feasibility of implementing these requirements. Schools may face challenges in providing adequate resources and qualified personnel to meet the demand for tutoring and other interventions. Furthermore, the bill raises questions about how these mandates will affect school autonomy and the allocation of funding towards mathematics programs amidst wider educational budgeting constraints. There may also be varying opinions on whether standardized testing effectively reflects student capabilities, impacting the bill's acceptance among educators and policymakers.