Tennessee Senate Bill SB1368

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/23

Caption

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

Impact

The enactment of SB1368 is expected to shift the responsibility of determining student proficiency from the state level to local education agencies. This means that LEAs will have more control over how student performance is evaluated and what criteria are used, potentially resulting in diverse educational practices across the state. It is anticipated that this decentralization will empower local administrations to align educational standards with local student needs more effectively, thus enhancing educational outcomes.

Summary

Senate Bill 1368 seeks to amend certain provisions of the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically relating to student proficiency in education. The bill proposes that local education agencies (LEAs) determine standards for student proficiency instead of centralized determinations by the department. This change is aimed at granting more autonomy to local agencies in assessing and evaluating student performance, thereby tailoring educational standards to better fit local needs and circumstances.

Contention

While SB1368 presents an opportunity for improved local control over educational standards, it also raises questions regarding consistency and equity in education across Tennessee. Critics may argue that allowing LEAs to set their proficiency benchmarks could lead to disparities among districts, where some may set lower standards than others, potentially disadvantaging students in less affluent areas. The debate is likely to center around the balance between local autonomy and the need to maintain a standardized level of education throughout the state.