Sen. Joey Hensley
The General Assembly passed major legislation during the week of Jan. 18 to address unprecedented student learning losses as a result of COVID-19 related school closures and time spent away from the classroom. It was the 62nd Extraordinary Session in the history of the state.
Tennessee Learning Loss Remediation and Student Acceleration Act – Research data estimates a 50% decrease in proficiency rates in 3rd grade reading and a 65% decrease in proficiency rates in math due to the effects of COVID-19 on student learning. Senate Bill 7002 helps struggling students by providing after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps and summer learning camps beginning this summer. It also creates the Tennessee Accelerated Literacy and Learning Corps to provide high-quality tutoring throughout the school year.
State lawmakers returned to Nashville on Tuesday to begin a special legislative session on education called by Gov. Bill Lee. In a joint convention of the House and Senate, the governor laid out his legislative initiatives for the lawmakers.
In his speech, Lee pointed to learning loss, low literacy rates and administering state assessments as some of the biggest obstacles schools in our state have grappled with since the start of the pandemic. To help schools overcome these challenges, House Republican leaders introduced four pieces of legislation this week.
Increasing the student literacy rate has been a priority for legislators in the General Assembly for many years. Currently in Tennessee, only one in three 3
Special Session on Education Ends
January 23, 2021
January 22, 2021
Governor Bill Lee, Lt. Gov. McNally, Speaker Sexton and members of the General Assembly closed a historic special session to address learning loss and the negative effects on student proficiency in reading and math marked by time away from the classroom due to COVID-19.
“COVID-19 has severely disrupted education in Tennessee. Our decisive action to intervene on behalf of Tennessee students will equip them for success, educating our kids better in the future than before the pandemic,” said Gov. Lee. “I thank the General Assembly for their swift passage of legislation that will benefit our students.”
Special session addresses learning loss among K-12 students
January 22, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. State officials held a special session to address learning loss among K-12 students Friday.
“COVID-19 has severely disrupted education in Tennessee. Our decisive action to intervene on behalf of Tennessee students will equip them for success, educating our kids better in the future than before the pandemic,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “I thank the General Assembly for their swift passage of legislation that will benefit our students.”
According to the news release from the state, passed legislation includes:
Intervening to Stop Learning Loss – SB 7002/HB 7004
Requires interventions for struggling students including after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps and summer learning camps, beginning summer 2021