Tennessee Senate Passes Education Reforms in 2025 Session

The 114th Tennessee General Assembly has adjourned after passing several measures aimed at improving K‑12 education. School districts can now request approval for non-textbook online instructional materials that meet state standards, and virtual students are eligible to participate in TSSAA sports or compete for their zoned school. Accredited, fully-online private schools will have more flexibility, with class size, schedules, and vaccination rules lifted. Local districts may offer merit-based pay to high-performing teachers, and the Tennessee Future Teacher Scholarship has been expanded to address the teacher shortage, reduce service requirements in targeted areas, and include HOPE Scholarship recipients. The session also created a joint legislative advisory committee to review teacher evaluations, standardized testing, teaching permits, CTE course substitutions, and educator compensation. A statewide study will identify best practices for evaluating teachers, with findings due to the Senate Education Committee by January 31, 2026. Additionally, elementary students will now receive 40 minutes of daily physical activity, and schools must implement policies limiting personal device use in classrooms, with exceptions for educational or health purposes. Senator Joey Hensley said the laws are intended to support educators, improve student outcomes, and make Tennessee a better place to live, work, and raise a family.