Bill > SB1960

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 requires students in all grades, from kindergarten through twelfth, to receive 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, building civic understanding for middle schoolers, and encouraging analytical thinking about founding texts and themes for high schoolers. LEAs and charter schools have the flexibility to determine the instructional methods, such as classroom lessons, readings, or assemblies, but the instruction must be nonpartisan, educational, and focused on historical facts and civic principles, with an emphasis on alignment to state academic standards when integrated into social studies or English language arts curricula. The bill also requires school leaders to ensure consistent implementation, verify compliance, provide guidance, and, if necessary, schedule the instruction on the last day of school if it hasn't occurred earlier, with these requirements taking effect for the 2026-2027 school year and subsequent years.