Bipartisan Legislation Leads To New Law Allowing Private Universities In Tennessee To Open Public Schools
Photo: Homer Pittard Campus School, formerly Middle Tennessee State Teachers College Training School. Photo Credit: Skye Marthaler / CC
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
A new law in Tennessee sets up both public and private colleges to partner with public school districts to create “lab schools” within their local communities.
These schools serve students ranging from pre-K to grade 12 and generally have small teacher-student ratios and are higher performing, with an emphasis on using “innovative teaching and learning strategies.”
They are also often used as training facilities for student teaching or as research facilities for university faculty.
Lab schools are already in existence through the University of Memphis, Middle Tennessee State University and East Tennessee State University and have been for over 100 years. They are reportedly among the highest-performing schools in the state.
While private schools have not been prohibited from participating in the past, the new law makes it easier for private universities to take part. They are now eligible for the same funding and must work with local districts and follow public school standards.
Any college or university wishing to participate in a lab school program must be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and the primary campus must be located in Tennessee. Private religious universities are eligible to open lab schools but are still subject to all state and federal regulations.
The bill was introduced in the Tennessee House by Representative Caleb Hemmer (D-Nashville-District 59) and in the Senate by Senator Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro-District 13).
“I’m a firm advocate for a strong public education system,” Hemmer said. “I’m excited about the prospect of expanding something that works really, really well across our state in collaboration with our higher education institutions.”
Hemmer’s initial bill was garnered support from colleagues on both sides of the political spectrum. Several Republican co-sponsors joined his bill including Representatives Mark White, William Slater, Sam Whitson, Brock Martin and David Hawk. Democrat Representative Jake McCalmon also signed on as a co-sponsor.
On the Senate side, Republican sponsor Dawn White was joined by Senator Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis-District 29) as a cosponsor.
“Education has gotten so politically polarized,” Hemmer said. “This is a bipartisan, common sense solution.”
Governor Lee signed the legislation on May 11th, 2023 with an effective date of the same day. The was assigned a Public Chapter Number on May 24th.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
