Bill > SB0901

This bill transforms Tennessee's school turnaround pilot program into a permanent program for priority schools, expanding the maximum number of participating schools from five to 15 and ensuring geographic diversity. The Tennessee Department of Education will now select up to 15 priority schools annually, with at least one school from each grand division of the state, to participate in a comprehensive school improvement initiative. Each selected school will develop a three-year turnaround plan, which will be created in collaboration with a school turnaround committee composed of local stakeholders including school board members, principals, parents, teachers, community representatives, and business leaders. The independent school turnaround experts contracted to help develop and implement these plans will have their payments structured to incentivize successful school improvement, with 50% of their payment contingent on the school meeting priority school exit criteria by the end of the program. The bill also requires the department to file an annual report evaluating the program's effectiveness, comparing student performance outcomes, and recommending potential strategies for replication in other schools. The changes will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year and subsequent years, aiming to provide a structured, long-term approach to improving underperforming schools across Tennessee.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0901&ga=114