Tennessee House Bill HB1410

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23
• Refer: 2/2/23
• Failed: 3/14/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 1 and Title 49, Chapter 6, relative to student retention.

Impact

In practice, the bill necessitates that if a student fails to demonstrate basic comprehension at the end of third grade, the school must offer them the opportunity to attend a learning loss bridge camp before the start of the subsequent school year. However, it explicitly states that attendance or successful completion of this camp cannot be made a condition for the student’s promotion to the fourth grade. This adjustment reflects an effort to provide remedial support without punitive consequences tied to camp participation.

Summary

House Bill 1410 aims to amend certain provisions of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to student retention, specifically for third-grade students. The bill permits local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools to retain students who demonstrate insufficient understanding of the curriculum and skills needed in reading or English language arts (ELA). This determination can be based on the students' grades or standardized test results, creating a clear criterion for retention decisions.

Contention

Discussion around HB1410 includes differing perspectives on its approach to student retention and support. Proponents argue that offering a learning loss bridge camp gives students additional resources to succeed without the stigma of being retained, aiming to improve educational outcomes. Conversely, critics may express concerns regarding the effectiveness of such camps and whether they adequately address the broader issues of educational quality and equity in resources for struggling students.