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House Subcommittee Votes For Legislation That Would Revamp Standardized Testing For Tennessee Homeschool Students

March 4, 2026

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Image Credit: TN General Assembly

Tennessee Conservative News Staff –

The House K-12 Subcommittee passed a bill on Tuesday that would revamp standardized testing requirements for homeschooled students in Tennessee with the risk of them being forced back into public schools.

House Bill 1729 (HB1729), sponsored by State Representative William Slater (R-Gallatin-D35), would require parents that register to homeschool under their local board of education to have their students assessed in grades 5, 7, and 9.

Current law dictates that students who are “falling behind” be measured by how many months they are behind. Slater’s bill would change this metric to percentiles.

Students who score below the 25^th percentile for two consecutive tests would be forced to enroll in a public, private, or church-related school.

The legislation would also add the Classic Learning Test as an alternative assessment to the ACT or SAT in meeting qualifications for various enrollment and/or recognition.

The CLT seemed to be the focal point of discussion, with members hearing testimony from supporters of the test. Committee members raised questions regarding the rigor of the CLT and its concordance to the ACT or SAT.

The bill moves forward with 4 votes in favor (Representatives Haston, Maberry, Reeves, and Slater). Three representatives voted against the bill (Bulso, Hakeem, and McKenzie) while Representative White was recorded as present but not voting.

HB1729 has been referred to the House Education Committee.

The companion Senate Bill 2636 (SB2636), sponsored by State Senator Kerry Roberts (R-Springfield-D23) was referred to the Senate Education Committee on February 5 but has not yet been assigned to their calendar.

Contact information for members of the House Education Committee may be found below.

House Education Committee – HB1729 will likely be heard next week

HB1729 mandates homeschool students who score below the 25^th percentile for two consecutive tests will be forced to enroll in a public, private, or church-related school.