House Bill 91, sponsored by Haston, mandates that the Tennessee Department of Education submit a request to the U.S. Department of Education by January 1, 2026, to amend the state's Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan. The proposed amendment seeks to eliminate all end-of-course assessment requirements for high school students in grades nine through twelve (9-12). Instead, the bill allows for the administration of the ACT, SAT, or another postsecondary readiness assessment approved by the commissioner of education to fulfill accountability requirements for students, schools, and districts.

The bill emphasizes the importance of using these alternative assessments for evaluating student performance, thereby shifting the focus from traditional end-of-course assessments to more widely recognized college readiness tests. This change aims to enhance the accountability framework within Tennessee's education system while aligning it with postsecondary readiness standards. The act will take effect upon becoming law, prioritizing the public welfare.