NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee House and Senate have passed an amended bill to waive student testing and attendance requirements because of uncertainly if students will be back in the classroom anytime soon.
The lawmakers said they are trying to eliminate as much stress as possible for students, parents and educators and eliminate any adverse effects the coronavirus pandemic will have on the education system.
The new proposal will immediately waive the following:
- TNReady tests, end-of-course examinations (Districts may voluntarily administer assessments)
- School and district accountability based on assessments
- 180-day instructional requirement
- BEP-related attendance requirements
- 11th grade post-secondary readiness assessment for the year (Districts may voluntarily administer this assessment)
- Civics testing requirements for graduating seniors
Under the waiver, state TCAP tests will be voluntary and up to local districts to decide whether to administer. However, if they chose to do so -- the results would not be used in teacher evaluations growth assessments or for determining any student's final grade unless it results in a higher score or letter grade.
It also requires the state board of education to revise the high school graduation requirements for the 2019-20 school year.
The bill now heads to Gov. Bill Lee's desk to sign.