Tennessee Senate Bill SB0196

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/25
• Engrossed: 3/20/25
• Enrolled: 4/8/25
• Passed: 4/21/25
• Chaptered: 4/29/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to the school grading system.

Impact

The bill's implementation is expected to affect how schools are evaluated on their performance, potentially leading to a more accurate representation of student achievement. By mandating the inclusion of broader student data in grading calculations, the bill seeks to promote fairness and accountability within the school system. This change may encourage schools to support all student groups more effectively, ultimately aiming to improve educational outcomes across the board.

Summary

Senate Bill 196 (SB0196) amends the Tennessee Code Annotated related to the school grading system. Specifically, it requires the Department of Education to include data from all student groups when calculating the letter grade for schools, provided that certain conditions regarding the number of valid test scores are met. This change aims to ensure that the grading system reflects the performance of diverse student groups and enhances transparency in academic performance assessments.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB0196 appears to be generally positive among advocates for educational equity. Proponents argue that the bill will help identify gaps in student performance and emphasize the importance of every student's learning journey. Critics, while less vocal, may express concerns regarding the implications of standardized grading systems and their ability to accommodate the unique challenges faced by individual schools.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise regarding how the Department of Education operationalizes the new requirements. Some stakeholders might question the threshold of twenty valid test scores as a fair measure for inclusion in the grading calculations. Additionally, the focus on aggregated data could lead to debates on whether it accurately reflects the nuances of student performance and the specific needs of smaller or underrepresented student groups.