Tennessee Senate Bill SB0205

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/23

Caption

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

Impact

The proposed changes will enable alternative schools to adapt more seamlessly to modern educational demands. By recognizing remote instruction formally, the bill seeks to enhance the educational opportunities available to students in these settings. Furthermore, it mandates that the state board of education create guidelines to monitor daily attendance and compliance with existing state and federal laws regarding truancy intervention, ensuring that remote learning adheres to the same standards as in-person education.

Summary

Senate Bill 205 (SB0205) aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Title 49, to address provisions related to alternative schools and alternative programs. The primary focus of the bill is to allow these educational entities to provide remote instruction to students while ensuring that attendance is recorded in the same manner as it would be for students attending traditional, in-person classes. This shift reflects the evolving landscape of education, particularly following the increased reliance on remote learning methods during periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contention

While the bill has the potential to provide greater flexibility in educational approaches, it may also raise concerns among various stakeholders. Critics could argue about the effectiveness of remote instruction for students in alternative programs, whose educational needs may be particularly nuanced. Questions may arise regarding the adequacy of tracking attendance in a remote learning format and whether the bill adequately addresses the challenges that come with implementing such a system, especially for students who may struggle with online learning environments.