Lawmakers will return to Nashville when the capitol thaws. New education bills will await them.

One week into this year’s legislative session, winter weather put the Tennessee General Assembly on hold. That delay prevented lawmakers from beginning discussion on key education-related bills, but things will change when members return to Nashville next week.Bills filed before the weather break will bring debate on topics previously discussed last session such as the state’s struggling math scores, continued attempts to make higher education more accessible, along with proposals to create new rules for school districts.

Addressing math deficiencies

Towards the end of last year’s legislative session, members of the Tennessee House Education Instruction Committee grilled the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) about the state’s declining math scores.To combat those struggles, Representative Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, and Senator Joey Hensley, R- Hohenwald, filed the Mathematics Supports Act (SB1712/HB1655) to require TDOE to identify and approve at least one professional development course on mathematics instruction that aligns with state standard.Additionally, the proposed legislation would require the department to review and evaluate the mathematic professional development options available in the state and revise the standards for high school students participating in a teaching as a career pathway to include mathematic instruction skills that are aligned with professional development courses.

More resources for students and staff

Lawmakers also filed proposed changes to services available to students and faculty in public school that address multiple needs including school lunches, childcare services, and school counselors.Representative John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, filed HB1844 to require each school district to provide students with a free breakfast and lunch. Under the proposed legislation, the state would reimburse each district the costs incurred to provide these meals.Clemmons also filed SB1656/HB1847 along with Senator Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, to require TDOE to provide each school district with funds to employ one full-time professional school counselor for every 250 students or one full-time counselor for each district and public charter school in the district.Additionally, Representative Cepicky and Senator Hensley filed another bill to support teachers outside of the classroom. SB1718/HB1709 would authorize each school district and public charter school to reimburse full-time teachers with 66 percent of their childcare expenses.

Tennessee Promise, Grants, and Credits

Last year, lawmakers passed bills to make higher education more attainable to Tennessee students including legislation that expanded the Tennessee Promise Scholarship.Late last week Senator Becky Massey, R-Knoxville, and Representative Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville, filed SB1752/HB1809 to extend Tennessee Promise eligibility to students enrolled in a private, for-profit trade schools that offer diploma programs in cosmetology, skin care, and master barbering.The Tennessee Promise isn’t the only scholarship or grant program receiving attention from lawmakers.Senator Massey filed SB1672 to reduce the age requirement for Tennessee Reconnect Grant from 23 to 21 and Senator Adam Lowe, R-Calhoun, filed SB1689 to increase the number of credits a student participating in a work-based learning program can earn in a year from three to four.

Handgun carry policy

The Special Session last summer ended with only four bills passed while lawmakers put the rest on hold for the regular session.Some of the bills that didn’t pass during the special session will receive new life in this year’s session including originally filed may pop up as the session continues.One of those is SB1708/HB1631 filed by Senator Hensley and Representative Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, to allow private schools to adopt a handgun carry policy.

Library materials restrictions

Lawmakers also proposed changes for public and school libraries.Representative John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, Restricted Access by Minors to Obscene Library Materials Act. Would further restrict minors from viewing materials in libraries that are deemed “obscene.” HB1661 would create a process that allows residents to circulate a petition prohibiting libraries from displaying, distributing, or making any content that doesn’t meet community standards readily accessible.