Title 49, Education

(a) The inclusion of religion in textbooks, instructional materials, curriculum, or academic standards shall be for educational purposes only and shall not be used to proselytize or establish any religion or religious belief. (b) Prior to the 2016-2017 school year, each local sch…

(a) Each LEA shall include in the course of instruction for students in grades five through eight (5-8) curricula designed to educate students in:(1) Black history and black culture; and(2) The contribution of black people to the history and development of this country and of the…

(a) The course of instruction in all public schools shall include character education to help each student develop positive values and improve student conduct as students learn to act in harmony with their positive values and learn to become good citizens in their school, communi…

(a) All material that includes information pertaining to the prevention of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases that is written, published, distributed or used by any public entity or is paid for, in whole or in part, with any public m…

(a) American sign language is recognized and adopted as the official and native sign language of the deaf in this state. (b) It is the intent of the general assembly to:(1) Formally express its respect for American sign language;(2) Promote public awareness of and appreciation fo…

(a) Any board of education operating public elementary or secondary systems of education under the laws of this state may provide for, establish and maintain schools for children under six (6) years of age under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the state board o…

(a) (1) In order for every student for whom it is educationally appropriate to receive instruction in computer science sufficient to enable the student to communicate and to be prepared for the technological jobs of today and tomorrow, the state board of education shall, no later…

(a) No teacher or administrator in an LEA shall be prohibited from using or reading from, during the course of educational instruction, or from posting in a public school building, classroom or event, any of the following or any excerpts or portions of the following:(1) The natio…

(a) As used in this section:(1) “Academic acceleration policy” means a policy that establishes objective criteria for the enrollment of students into any available advanced English language arts, mathematics, or science courses; and(2) “Parent” means the parent, guardian, or pers…

Each LEA is encouraged when selecting textbooks or instructional materials for economics or similar courses to select those textbooks or instructional materials that contain substantive provisions on personal finance, including personal budgeting, credit and debt management and s…

(a) (1) As used in this section, “Constitution Day” means a federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become United States citizens that is normally observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitu…

(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Senator Douglas Henry Tennessee History Act.” (b) The general assembly finds that:(1) It is essential for all citizens to know and understand the unique heritage and history of the state of Tennessee;(2) A clear and full un…

(a) The departments of education and safety, in consultation with the Tennessee fish and wildlife commission, shall determine the earliest grade in which it is appropriate for students to begin receiving instruction on firearm safety. In determining the earliest appropriate grade…

(a) Subject to the guidance and approval of the state board of education, local boards of education are urged to develop a sexual violence awareness curriculum for presentation at least once in grades seven (7) and eight (8) and at least once, preferably twice, in grades nine thr…

(a) There is established the Governor's Civics Seal to recognize public schools and local education agencies that implement high-quality civic education programs that prepare students for career and civic life. (b) The department of education shall identify on the state report ca…

(a) An LEA or public charter school shall not include or promote the following concepts as part of a course of instruction or in a curriculum or instructional program, or allow teachers or other employees of the LEA or public charter school to use supplemental instructional mater…

Sections 49-6-103 — 49-6-110 shall be known and may be cited as the “Voluntary Pre-K for Tennessee Act of 2005.”

Each public school, under the guidance of the school's LEA, is encouraged to adopt a recycling program.

(a) In accordance with § 49-6-1022, each LEA shall integrate:(1) For elementary school students, a minimum of forty (40) minutes of physical activity per full school day; and(2) For middle and high school students, a minimum of ninety (90) minutes of physical activity per full sc…

(a) Each LEA is authorized to implement a coordinated school health program under the guidelines developed by the commissioner of education, in consultation with the department of health, pursuant to § 49-1-1002, during the 2006-2007 school year, and shall implement the program b…

(a) (a) As used in this section, “child trafficking” means a human trafficking offense, as defined in § 39-13-314, in which the victim is less than eighteen (18) years of age.(b) The course of instruction in all public schools must include child trafficking prevention and awarene…

(a) In reviewing the lifetime wellness standards, the department of education shall consider including instruction in current and appropriate school safety issues, to include drugs, alcohol, weapons, bomb threats, emergency evacuations and violent school incidents. (b) The depart…

(a) The course of instruction in all public schools for kindergarten through grade eight (K-8) shall include art and music education to help each student foster creative thinking, spatial learning, discipline, craftsmanship and the intrinsic rewards of hard work. (b) Local boards…

(a) The state board of education is authorized to approve academic standards for an elective state-funded course consisting of a nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study of the Bible. The course may include the impact of the Bible on literature, art, music, culture and politics.…

LEAs and public charter schools may offer students in any of the grades five through twelve (5-12) a hunter education course as part of physical education, health, or safety instruction. A hunter education course offered pursuant to this section must be approved by the wildlife r…

(a) The general assembly finds that:(1) Effective and responsible participation in political life as competent citizens requires the acquisition of a body of knowledge and of intellectual and participatory skills;(2) It is essential to the future health of our republic that all c…

Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, each LEA and public charter school shall, as part of the social studies curriculum, present a civics instructional video approved by the state board of education pursuant to § 49-6-2201(i)(2) at least once to students in grades six throug…

(a) It is the legislative intent that, based on the success of Tennessee's existing pilot pre-kindergarten programs, these programs be expanded on a voluntary basis by LEAs and the communities they serve to provide more opportunities for quality early childhood education and pre-…

(a) The state board of education, public elementary and secondary school governing authorities, directors of schools, school system administrators, and public elementary and secondary school principals and administrators shall endeavor to create an environment within public eleme…

(a) Each school shall notify the parents or legal guardians of all clubs and organizations available to students attending such school by prominently displaying the information in the school's student handbook, or other standard or policy guidebook that contains the policies and …

In cooperation and consultation with the department of health and the department of finance and administration, the state board of education shall develop and implement a program to promote the participation of students in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) in the developme…

(a) An LEA may educate students about the history of traditional winter celebrations and allow students and LEA staff to offer traditional greetings regarding the celebrations, including, but not limited to:(1) “Merry Christmas”;(2) “Happy Hanukkah”; and(3) “Happy holidays”. (1) …

(a) The state board of education shall include cursive writing in the course of instruction in all public schools through the curriculum standards, at the appropriate grade level, as determined by the state board of education. The local board of education, in providing instructio…

Each LEA, in consultation with local law enforcement, is strongly encouraged to institute domestic violence awareness education programs for middle and high school students. The domestic violence awareness programs shall provide information on and understanding of domestic violen…

(a) November 7 of each year, LEAs and public charter schools shall recognize the day as “Victims of Communism Day” to honor victims of communist regimes. (b) If an LEA or public charter school provides a world history and geography course to high school students enrolled in an LE…

(a) The general assembly finds and declares that:(1) The Fourth of July commemorates the founding of the United States of America and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence;(2) It is important for students to understand the historical significance of the Fourth of July a…

(a) As used in this section, “substance abuse and violence prevention program” means a program or series of programs that:(1) Equips students with knowledge, skills, and resilience for healthy living and strong decision-making;(2) Fosters long-term resilience against substance us…

(a) As used in this part, “at-risk children” means:(1) Children who are:(A) Four (4) years of age on or before August 15; and(B) Members of families with incomes that meet the eligibility requirements for free or reduced-price lunch as determined pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1771; or(…

(a) LEAs may apply to the department of education for funding and approval of one (1) or more pre-kindergarten programs. LEAs may contract and enter into collaborative agreements for operation of these programs with nonschool system entities in the geographical area served by the…

(a) Each LEA applying for programs under §§ 49-6-103 — 49-6-110 shall create and appoint a community pre-K advisory council. The director of schools, or the director's designee, shall serve as chair and coordinate the activities of the council. The council shall include, but not …

(a) Programs established under §§ 49-6-103 – 49-6-110 shall be subject to annual appropriations. (b) The commissioner of education shall annually recommend a funding amount per classroom for those classrooms established under §§ 49-6-103 – 49-6-110. The commissioner shall take in…

(1) There is established within the department of education an office of early learning. The office shall:(1) Administer the pre-kindergarten classroom application process;(2) Provide oversight, monitoring, technical assistance, coordination and training for pre-kindergarten clas…

(a) The department of education shall conduct a statewide needs analysis of preschool education in Tennessee. The analysis must include, but is not limited to, gaps between family demand for preschool services and the availability of high-quality preschool opportunities. The depa…

For the programs authorized by §§ 49-6-103 — 49-6-110, the appropriation from excess net education lottery proceeds available under title 4, chapter 51 and chapter 4, part 9 of this title shall not exceed twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) in any fiscal year.

(1) As used in this part:(1) “STEM” means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;(2) “STEM innovation hub” means a regional partnership of LEAs, institutions of higher education, STEM businesses, and community organizations that have formally committed to amplifying an…

(a) TSIN shall establish a STEM innovation hub specifically dedicated to serving the rural areas of the state. (b) TSIN shall also establish a STEM innovation hub located in Northwest Tennessee.