Tennessee Senate Bill SB7065

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 8/21/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, relative to social interaction.

Impact

If enacted, SB7065 would significantly alter the operational framework of LEAs in Tennessee by mandating a concrete amount of social interaction time which must be integrated into existing curricula. This could help facilitate better mental health outcomes among students by promoting interactions in a structured, supervised environment. Furthermore, it compels educational institutions to reevaluate how they deliver content, incorporating methods that encourage student engagement through direct, face-to-face communication rather than relying solely on electronic devices.

Summary

Senate Bill 7065 seeks to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated by introducing requirements for social interaction among students in local education authorities (LEAs). The legislation aims to provide students with structured opportunities for interpersonal communication, thereby improving their ability to handle stress, anxiety, and depression while also reducing risks associated with violent and suicidal behaviors. The proposed bill stipulates a minimum of eight hours of social interaction monthly during the school year, or four hours when less than twenty percent of the month has scheduled instruction, with certain exceptions based on instructional time.

Contention

The bill also raises questions about the flexibility it provides to LEAs in determining how to achieve the mandated social interaction hours. Teachers would be responsible for deciding how these interactions are integrated within each course curriculum, which could result in disparities in implementation and effectiveness across different districts. Balancing the demands of academic rigor with the necessity for social engagement created by this legislation remains a critical area for ongoing discussion among educators and policymakers.