House Bill 91, sponsored by Haston, aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding student assessments. The bill mandates that the Tennessee Department of Education submit a request to the United States Department of Education by January 1, 2026, to revise the state's Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan. The proposed changes include the removal of all end-of-course assessment requirements for students in grades nine through twelve (9-12). Instead, the bill allows for the annual administration of the ACT, SAT, or another postsecondary readiness assessment approved by the commissioner of education for accountability purposes.

The bill emphasizes the use of these assessments for evaluating student performance, as well as for school and district accountability. This shift aims to streamline the assessment process for high school students and align it more closely with postsecondary readiness. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law, prioritizing the public welfare.