Education

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide details on how schools should help struggling readers, leaving this as an open question.

Third Grade Retention for Students

This bill changes Tennessee's education rules so that local schools can choose whether or not to keep third-grade students back if they struggle with reading or English language arts.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the law to allow local school districts and charter schools to decide if a student should repeat third grade based on their understanding of reading and English skills.
• Makes these changes effective immediately upon becoming law, applying to the 2025-2026 school year and each subsequent school year.

Who It Names or Affects

• Local school districts
• Public charter schools
• Third-grade students

Terms To Know

LEA

Local Education Agency, which is another name for a local school district.

ELA

English Language Arts, which includes reading and writing skills in English class.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how schools should assist students who are struggling with reading.
• It is unclear what will happen to the part of the law that was removed after this change.

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 2091
By Crowe

HOUSE BILL 1995
By Hill
HB1995
009465
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49,
Chapter 1 and Title 49, Chapter 6, relative to
student retention.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-3115, is amended by deleting
the section and substituting instead the following:
An LEA or public charter school may retain a student in third grade if the student
has not shown a basic understanding of the curriculum and an ability to perform the
skills required in the subject of reading or English language arts (ELA), as demonstrated
by the student's grades or standardized test results.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-1-905(d), is amended by deleting
subdivision (4).
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it,
and applies to the 2025-2026 school year and each school year thereafter.