Tennessee House Bill HB0074

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23
• Refer: 1/12/23
• Refer: 2/14/23
• Refer: 3/1/23
• Chaptered: 4/18/23
• Passed: 4/18/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2; Title 4; Title 8; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 40; Title 41; Title 49; Title 50; Title 54; Title 55; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to high school equivalency credentials.

Impact

The passage of this bill would make significant changes to laws concerning educational credentials within the state. By establishing a uniform terminology for high school equivalency, HB 74 reduces potential confusion for institutions and agencies that reference these credentials. Additionally, it mandates that the state board of education is involved in setting the criteria for issuing equivalency credentials, thus centralizing authority in the educational process and inspections of these programs.

Summary

House Bill 74 aims to amend multiple sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding high school equivalency credentials. Primarily, the bill replaces references to the GED and HiSET with the term 'high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education.' This legislative change seeks to standardize the terminology used across various legal contexts in Tennessee, ensuring that individuals seeking to prove their educational attainment can do so through an officially regulated credential rather than specific programs that were previously named.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 74 appears to be largely supportive among legislators who view it as a necessary update to educational regulations. By modernizing the language regarding high school equivalency, proponents argue it aligns the legal framework with current educational practices. However, some concerns were raised about the implications of centralizing the authority with the state board of education, fearing it may limit alternative pathways for obtaining equivalency credentials.

Contention

One notable point of contention arises from the bill's potential implications for other high school equivalency programs outside of GED and HiSET. Stakeholders have expressed concerns about whether this change may inadvertently limit options for students who may benefit from alternative educational programs. Furthermore, critics worry that centralizing credential approval could create bottlenecks in access to education and assessments, which could hinder individuals' ability to obtain necessary credentials in a timely manner.