House Bill 2276 and Senate Bill 2375 propose amendments to the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding education, specifically focusing on mathematics education for eighth-grade students. The bills establish a pathway for educators who are licensed to teach eighth-grade mathematics to also teach Algebra I or an equivalent course without incurring additional costs. Additionally, the bills require that beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools must enroll students who score "exceeds expectations" on the seventh-grade mathematics portion of the TCAP test directly into Algebra I or an equivalent course, unless a written request is made by the student's parent or guardian to opt out.

Furthermore, the bills include provisions for the standards recommendation committee to incorporate advanced mathematics academic standards for students in grades five through seven. They also mandate that successful completion of Algebra I in eighth grade will satisfy high school diploma requirements for that course. Additional amendments include the inclusion of eighth-grade high school course grades in the uniform grading system and adjustments to reporting requirements for grades K-8. The act will take effect upon becoming law, with certain sections set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-6-1012(g), 49-6-1012
Amended with SA0804 -- 04/02/2026: 49-6-1012(g), 49-6-1012, 49-1-312
Amended with SA0804, HA1019 -- 04/16/2026: 49-6-1012(g), 49-6-1012, 49-1-312, 49-1-302(a)(14), 49-1-302, 49-6-407(a), 49-6-407, 49-6-407(b)