Education

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the change will affect students struggling with reading or ELA before starting third grade, nor does it specify consequences for multiple retentions.

Changes to Student Retention Rules

This bill changes Tennessee's education laws by allowing, instead of requiring, schools to retain third-grade students who do not demonstrate a basic understanding of reading or English language arts (ELA) based on their grades or standardized test results.

What This Bill Does

• Allows local education agencies and public charter schools to decide whether to 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 reading or English language arts (ELA).
• Removes the requirement for schools to automatically keep back students who do not meet certain criteria in ELA.

Who It Names or Affects

• Local education agencies and public charter schools in Tennessee.
• Third-grade students whose performance in reading or English language arts is being evaluated.

Terms To Know

LEA

Local Education Agency, which refers to a school district or other local organization responsible for providing public education.

ELA

English Language Arts, which includes the study of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in English.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if a student is retained multiple times.
• It's unclear how this change will affect students who are already struggling with reading or ELA before the start of third grade.

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL 1995
By Hill

SENATE BILL 2091
By Crowe
SB2091
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.