House Bill 2277, also known as Senate Bill 2403, amends Tennessee education law by requiring public schools to submit an annual list of all local assessments administered to students. This new section defines "local assessment" as standardized tests chosen by local education agencies or public schools, excluding state-mandated assessments like the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP). Schools must provide specific details about each assessment, including its name, purpose, subject area, grade level, and administration schedule. The Department of Education is responsible for creating a standardized reporting form and compiling the information into an online database for public access, with the goal of making this information available before the start of each school year.

The bill also establishes an assessment review board to evaluate TCAP tests, consisting of nine public school teachers appointed by state officials. This board will have access to student performance data to identify areas needing instructional improvement and will meet at least three times a year. Additionally, the bill specifies that the results of the universal reading screener cannot be used for accountability determinations for schools or local education agencies. Furthermore, it introduces a provision allowing public schools to implement a designated period of prayer, requiring consent from students or their guardians to participate, while ensuring that the rights of non-participating individuals are respected. The provisions of the bill will take effect on July 1, 2026, for certain sections, while others will become law immediately.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-1-302(d)(2)(B)(iii), 49-1-302, 49-1-302(d)(2)(B), 49-1-903(8)(A), 49-1-903, 49-1-905, 49-5-5619(a)(3)(F), 49-5-5619, 49-6-903(a), 49-6-903, 49-6-1502, 49-6-1508, 4-29-249(a), 4-29-249
Amended with SA0686 -- 03/23/2026: 49-1-302(d)(2)(B)(iii), 49-1-302, 49-1-302(d)(2)(B), 49-1-903(8)(A), 49-1-903, 49-1-905, 49-5-5619(a)(3)(F), 49-5-5619, 49-6-903(a), 49-6-903, 49-6-1502, 49-6-1508, 4-29-249(a), 4-29-249, 49-1-905(c)(6)
Amended with SA0686, HA1153, HA1156 -- 04/21/2026: 49-1-302(d)(2)(B)(iii), 49-1-302, 49-1-302(d)(2)(B), 49-1-903(8)(A), 49-1-903, 49-1-905, 49-5-5619(a)(3)(F), 49-5-5619, 49-6-903(a), 49-6-903, 49-6-1502, 49-6-1508, 4-29-249(a), 4-29-249, 49-1-905(c)(6)