Chairman White advances three education bills on ELL practices and teacher licensure
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The Tennessee State Legislature's Education Committee convened on March 25, 2025, to discuss several key pieces of legislation aimed at improving educational practices and addressing teacher shortages in the state.
The meeting began with the approval of House Bill 148, which passed unanimously with 18 votes in favor and no opposition. This bill will move to the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for further consideration.
Chairman White then introduced House Bill 410, which focuses on English language learners (ELL) in public schools. The bill mandates the Department of Education to form a working group tasked with developing best practices and strategies for ELL educators. This initiative comes in response to a significant increase in the number of ELL students in Tennessee, which rose from approximately 43,000 in 2015-2016 to 63,000 in 2021, marking a 46% growth. The working group will include ELL program directors, teachers, and individuals with relevant experience, and will be required to report findings and recommendations to legislative committees. The bill also passed with 18 votes in favor and no opposition.
Next, House Bill 504 was presented, which aims to address the ongoing teacher shortage by providing financial support for teachers working on permits to obtain their licensure. The bill reduces the scholarship amount from $5,000 to $3,500, which teachers can use to complete their education and gain licensure. This bill also received unanimous approval.
Finally, House Bill 408 was discussed, which involves transferring governance of the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). This change aims to streamline operations and eliminate duplication within the program. The bill passed with a vote of 14 in favor, 3 against, and 1 present not voting.
Overall, the meeting highlighted the committee's commitment to enhancing educational support for both students and teachers in Tennessee, with a focus on addressing the needs of English language learners and improving teacher licensure pathways. All approved bills will now proceed to the next stages in the legislative process.
The meeting began with the approval of House Bill 148, which passed unanimously with 18 votes in favor and no opposition. This bill will move to the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for further consideration.
Chairman White then introduced House Bill 410, which focuses on English language learners (ELL) in public schools. The bill mandates the Department of Education to form a working group tasked with developing best practices and strategies for ELL educators. This initiative comes in response to a significant increase in the number of ELL students in Tennessee, which rose from approximately 43,000 in 2015-2016 to 63,000 in 2021, marking a 46% growth. The working group will include ELL program directors, teachers, and individuals with relevant experience, and will be required to report findings and recommendations to legislative committees. The bill also passed with 18 votes in favor and no opposition.
Next, House Bill 504 was presented, which aims to address the ongoing teacher shortage by providing financial support for teachers working on permits to obtain their licensure. The bill reduces the scholarship amount from $5,000 to $3,500, which teachers can use to complete their education and gain licensure. This bill also received unanimous approval.
Finally, House Bill 408 was discussed, which involves transferring governance of the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). This change aims to streamline operations and eliminate duplication within the program. The bill passed with a vote of 14 in favor, 3 against, and 1 present not voting.
Overall, the meeting highlighted the committee's commitment to enhancing educational support for both students and teachers in Tennessee, with a focus on addressing the needs of English language learners and improving teacher licensure pathways. All approved bills will now proceed to the next stages in the legislative process.
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