AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 1; Title 49, Chapter 2; Title 49, Chapter 50 and Title 49, Chapter 6, relative to education.

Tennessee students get yearly independence lessons

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, Tennessee public schools and public charter schools must teach yearly Fourth of July lessons. This applies to kindergarten through grade 12 every school year thereafter. Lessons must cover America's founding, the thirteen colonies' separation from Great Britain, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and citizens' rights. In grades K-5, students must explain the holiday, recognize America as independent, describe freedom and rights, and connect national symbols to independence. In grades 6-8, students must explain events leading to independence, why colonies sought self-rule, and the purpose of both founding documents. They must also identify liberty, individual rights, limited government, and government based on the people's consent. In grades 9-12, students must analyze both documents and themes of liberty, equality, and natural rights. They must evaluate independence's historical and philosophical meaning and connect founding principles to civic duties and citizenship today. Schools choose teaching methods, but lessons must fit students' ages and grades, meet these goals, and remain nonpartisan and educational. Lessons taught in social studies or English language arts must follow relevant state standards. Directors must ensure consistent instruction across their schools and provide guidance. If a school has not taught the lessons earlier, its director must require them on the last full school day. Schools must periodically review and update lesson content, materials, and methods to reflect civic education best practices and state standards.