House Bill 1975, also known as the "Tennessee Career Readiness Enhancement Act," aims to improve career readiness and exploration for high school students in Tennessee. The bill mandates that starting in the 2026-2027 school year, all high schools must integrate career readiness tools into at least one career and technical education (CTE) course for students in grades 11 and 12. These tools will provide personalized career exploration, stackable credentials in essential skills, and connections to work-based learning opportunities. Local education agencies (LEAs) must obtain approval from the Department of Education for the career readiness tools to ensure alignment with state and federal frameworks.

Additionally, the bill introduces incentives for students who complete assessments associated with these tools, allowing them to earn elective credits and potentially receive a stipend through a micro-grant program. The Department of Education will also provide professional development for educators on utilizing these tools, and LEAs are encouraged to partner with local businesses to promote the credentials as hiring criteria. A pilot program will be established to further integrate these tools into work-based learning experiences, with findings reported to the General Assembly by July 1, 2029. The act emphasizes accountability by requiring annual reporting on student credential completion starting July 1, 2027.