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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
In addition to the education bills that were passed during this year’s legislative session that The Tennessee Conservative has reported on, here are some more that lawmakers passed that may interest Conservatives.
Requiring public schools to recognize November 7th of of each year as Victims of Communism Day to honor the people who have fallen victim to communist regimes.
HB2089/SB2168, sponsored by Representative Dennis Powers (R-Jacksboro-District 36) and Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston-District 12), also mandates that high school students who are enrolled in a world history or geography course be given at least 45 minutes of instruction on Victims of Communism Day.
Requiring Tennessee’s future state standards for social studies to include instruction on the history of Communism.
HB1805/SB1890, sponsored by Representative Jody Barrett (R-Dickson-69) and Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16), mandates that the next adoption of academic standards for social studies include grade-appropriate academic standards on the history of Communism in the United States and abroad.
Banning digital devices for public school students in grades K-5.
HB2393/SB2310, sponsored by Representative Michele Reneau (R-Signal Mountain-District 27) and Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28), allows for some access in specific situations including targeted instructional support for intervention or remediation, accommodations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, administration of a state universal screener or other assessments required by law, or instruction that is remote or homebound or a hybrid learning day.
Giving public high school students the opportunity to participate in civic engagement field trips.
HB1747/SB1819, sponsored by Representative Bob Freeman (D-Nashville-District 56) and Senator Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville-District 20), requires that public high schools provide students enrolled in U.S. government and civics courses the opportunity to participate in three civic engagement field trips in order to observe each branch of government. Should budgetary constraints make field trips impracticable, the legislation allows virtual tours, state-approved traveling civics programs, or visits from county public officials as part of an interactive instructional session instead.
Mandating that middle and high school students in public school view an instructional video on civics.
HB2395/SB1953, sponsored by Representative Michele Reneau (R-Signal Mountain-District 27) and Senator Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun-District 1) will require the video instruction beginning with the 2027-2028 school year at least once for students in grades 6-8 and grades 9-12. The video must be politically neutral and historically accurate while including information about the Declaration of Independence, specifically the preamble, and include the religious affiliation and moral beliefs of the founding fathers.
Improving driver education and training courses in public schools.
HB2125/SB2535, sponsored by Representative Mark Cochran (R-Englewood-District 23) and Senator Tom Hatcher (R-Maryville-District 2) expands present law that requires instruction to cover the effects of the consumption of alcohol on driving abilities to also include the dangers of driving under the influence and distracted driving.
Administering the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools annually.
HB1466/SB1979, sponsored by Representative Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka-District 64) and Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson-District 11), requires that public schools administer the test to students every year to assess their strength, endurance, and flexibility. Students with disabilities are to be provided with reasonable and appropriate accommodations if they are able to participate safely.
Hunter education courses to be offered in public schools.
HB2588/SB2369, sponsored by Representative Chris Todd (R-Madison County-District 73) and Senator Paul Rose (R-Lauderdale, Shelby & Tipton Counties-District 73), allows public schools to offer hunter education courses approved by the wildlife resources agency to students in grades 5-12 as part of physical education, health, or safety instruction.
Revising how school boards for public and charter schools may conduct meetings.
HB2096/SB2139, sponsored by Representative Mark White (R-Memphis-District 83) and Senator Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro-District 13), revises the requirements for electronic participation in school board meetings under certain circumstances. While present law generally prohibits electronic participation unless a quorum of members is physically present at the meeting’s location, the legislation allows a meeting to be conducted with electronic participation without a quorum in cases of inclement weather or natural disasters up to three times a year. The legislation authorizes the governing body of a public charter school to conduct a meeting by electronic means in the same manner as local boards of education.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
