Bill > HB1857

This bill mandates that every local education agency (LEA), which refers to a school district, and every public charter school in Tennessee must dedicate one instructional day each school year to observing the Fourth of July, even though the holiday falls during summer break. This observance will involve providing students in all grades, from kindergarten through twelfth, with age- and grade-appropriate instruction on key aspects of American history and civics, including the founding of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the fundamental rights and freedoms of American citizens. The bill outlines specific learning objectives for different grade levels, focusing on introducing foundational concepts for younger students, emphasizing historical context and civic understanding for middle schoolers, and encouraging analysis of founding documents and civic themes for high school students. LEAs and charter schools will have the flexibility to determine the instructional methods, such as classroom lessons, readings, discussions, or assemblies, and must ensure the instruction is nonpartisan, educational, and focused on historical facts and civic principles, with periodic reviews to update content and methods. This requirement will take effect for the 2026-2027 school year and subsequent years.