TennesseeSB 1762114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 49, relative to education.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Schools, Charter

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New adult diploma schools with limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee authorizes public charter schools for adults seeking a high school diploma. Schools cannot open before the 2029–2030 school year, and existing public schools cannot be converted into them. These schools must follow adult high school teaching and instructional-time rules. Applicants must be at least 18, lack a high school diploma, and apply on time. Schools must enroll eligible applicants, using a lottery when applications exceed space in a program, class, or building. Students from the school's prior term or semester can re-enroll without a lottery. Lottery preference goes first to local school district residents who attended another adult high school or adult charter school last term. This includes the county-resident preference where applicable; applicants living outside the district receive the next preference.

Adult charter school funding and oversight

Beginning July 1, 2026, adult charter school funding uses a monthly full-time enrollment count: total student enrollment hours divided by 80. This uses a four-hour day and a 20-day school month; the law sets no funding dollar amount. The Education Department must work with the State Board and charter commission on school applications, instructional time, performance measures, and data collection. Performance measures must assess adult learners' achievement and growth under the State Board's alternative-measure policies. The performance framework must be ready before a sponsor submits a letter of intent for a 2029–2030 school. Some existing charter rules also apply to adult schools, while other rules exclude these schools or their students. The supplied provisions do not explain those rules' practical effects. Rulemaking and administrative setup take effect upon enactment; the State Board can issue rules to keep adult charter and adult high school requirements consistent.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Raumesh Akbari
Democrat • Senate
Powers
Affiliation unavailable
Paul Rose
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 250 • No: 37

Senate vote • 4/23/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/23/2026

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/22/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/22/2026

Yes: 31 • No: 0

House vote • 4/22/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026

Yes: 72 • No: 18

House vote • 4/22/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026

Yes: 72 • No: 19

Senate vote • 4/22/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/22/2026

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/18/2026

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0