Senate takes action on key education bills
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.), March 21, 2019 – State senators approved several key education bills this week, including three proposals to increase school safety, a bill improving the state’s public charter school authorization process and a measure enhancing agricultural education. Senate committees also conducted hearings on the proposed budgets of 14 departments and agencies of state government, as lawmakers continue a thorough review of Governor Bill Lee’s spending plan for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
School Safety / Grant Program Prioritizes SROs – Among legislation advancing this week to enhance school safety is Senate Bill 803, which is part of Governor Bill Lee’s legislative package. The measure makes changes to the existing school safety grant program, prioritizing grants for School Resource Officers (SROs).
Lee’s budget proposal doubles recurring funds in the program from $10 million to $20 million. In addition, a $20 million investment is proposed in non-recurring funds, for a total of $40 million recommended for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. The legislation also accommodates underserved counties working to secure schools and fill SRO positions by adjusting the match requirements to be proportional with districts’ fiscal capacity. Approximately 500 schools in Tennessee do not have SROs.
The proposal allows schools that currently have an SRO to use the grants to fund other school safety priorities, including implementation of building security measures or developing youth violence prevention programs. Upon application for a grant, the Local Education Agencies (LEA) must describe how the funds will be used and how it aligns with the needs identified in their school safety assessment.
In 2018, all 147 school districts submitted assessments for every school in the state as a result of legislation passed by the Tennessee General Assembly addressing vulnerabilities and risks. The legislature appropriated $25 million in one-time funding last year to assist in that effort. This is in addition to the appropriation of $10 million in recurring grants to make both major and minor school safety improvements, ranging from better door locks and updated visitor screening procedures, to adding mental health staff positions.
School Safety / Threat Assessment Teams — Similarly, in an effort to help school districts develop effective and comprehensive school safety plans, the Senate Education Committee approved legislation to allow school districts to develop threat assessment teams. The teams will develop comprehensive intervention-based approaches to prevent violence, manage reports of potential threats, and create a system that fosters a safe and effective school environment.
Senate Bill 1238 outlines the duties of the threat assessment team which will be to:
- access training on threatening or disruptive behavior from law enforcement and mental health service providers;
- develop interventions for individuals exhibiting threatening or disruptive behavior, conducting threat assessments;
- provide guidance to students, faculty, and staff regarding these issues;
- establish procedures on how to report this type of behavior;
- provide guidance and best practices on the intervention and prevention of violence; and
- provide post-incident assessments and evaluations, among other duties.
This legislation enhances current law requiring LEAs to develop a school safety plan. The threat assessment teams are intended to help LEAs implement their school safety plans.
Enhanced Security / Schools, Parks, and Places of Worship — The full Senate passed legislation this week to promote enhanced security and police presence at Tennessee’s most vulnerable locations, including schools. Senate Bill 1337 authorizes state or local chief law enforcement officers to develop and implement policies and guidelines allowing off duty law enforcement officers using their marked vehicles to travel between vulnerable areas such as schools, churches, and parks. Prior to developing and implementing such policies and guidelines, the chief law enforcement officer must receive approval from the agency’s local governing body.
Tennessee Public Charter School Commission — Legislation creating an independent state commission to approve high-quality public charter schools in Tennessee was unanimously approved by the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. Senate Bill 796 gives the new Tennessee Public Charter School Commission the authority to review appeals, a task currently held by the State Board of Education. It also establishes criteria to enhance school facilities.
The bill is part of Governor Bill Lee’s education initiatives designed to improve education opportunities for Tennessee students. Lee worked with local school districts to incorporate changes to the legislation.
The legislation also calls for transparency by requiring that meetings conducted by the new commission are made available for public viewing over the internet by streaming and archived video recordings.
The measure now goes to the Senate Government Operations Committee for approval.
Agriculture Education and Youth Participation Task Force – The Senate Education Committee approved legislation this week seeking to enhance agricultural education in Tennessee. Senate Bill 801 establishes the Agriculture Education and Youth Participation Task Force with the goal of preparing students for higher education and success in the Tennessee’s agricultural sector.
The nine-member task force will analyze and make recommendations related to agricultural education in Tennessee, emerging fields in the industry, and the impact of new technologies on agribusiness. They will also look at how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education can be aligned with the state’s agricultural education programs. In addition, the group will consider ways to integrate agricultural education and career readiness goals into the Tennessee Pathways Initiative. The Pathways Initiative allows schools to increase the variety and quality of the options and opportunities available for high school students, so they can transfer seamlessly into college or the workforce.
According to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Tennessee’s strong agricultural economy accounts for nine percent of the state’s economy, while generating $52.6 billion in output.
Aptitude Assessment — Finally, the full Senate approved legislation requiring that seventh and eighth grade students take a college and career readiness aptitude assessment. Current law states that all public middle schoolers or ninth graders are administered an interest or career inventory to assist students in determining their interests as they consider future career decisions. Senate Bill 809 would add an aptitude assessment for seventh and eighth graders to help students realize skills and attributes that might direct them towards a career and coursework that capitalizes on their strengths.