Bill > HB0368

This bill protects teachers in Tennessee from disciplinary action for teaching scientific subjects, including potentially controversial topics like evolution or global warming, in an objective manner. It clarifies that school officials should foster an environment where students can explore scientific questions and develop critical thinking skills, and that teachers should be allowed to help students analyze, critique, and review the strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories in an objective way. The bill explicitly states that this protection applies only to the teaching of scientific information and should not be used to promote any religious or non-religious doctrine or to discriminate based on religious beliefs. The Department of Education is required to notify all school directors of these provisions, who in turn must inform their employees.