Senate Bill 2385, also known as House Bill 2485, aims to amend the definition and funding mechanisms for economically disadvantaged students in Tennessee. The bill revises the definition of "economically disadvantaged" to align with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and includes specific categories of students such as those who are homeless, foster, runaway, or migrant, as well as those eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Additionally, it introduces a new subsection that mandates the allocation of additional state funds to local education agencies (LEAs) if their funding decreases due to a reduction in the number of economically disadvantaged students, ensuring that they receive at least the same funding as the previous year.

Furthermore, the bill requires the Department of Education to request an amendment to the state's ESSA plan by January 1, 2027, to broaden the definition of economically disadvantaged students to include those directly certified for free lunch without a household application. An amendment to the bill also establishes a committee tasked with reviewing the identification of economically disadvantaged students over the past decade and making recommendations for improvements. The provisions of the bill will take effect on July 1, 2026, with the exception of the section regarding the ESSA plan, which takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-3-104(10), 49-3-104, 49-3-108
Amended with HA1193 -- 04/21/2026: 49-3-104(10), 49-3-104, 49-3-108, 49-3-113