Image Credit: Canva
Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –
As parents begin readying their children for a new school year, several new policies will be in effect that will affect kids throughout the system stemming from legislation passed earlier this year. Here’s a look at a few that may be of interest to conservatives.
Limiting Classroom Technology For K-5 Students
HB2393 requires schools to limit the use of digital devices and prioritize in-person, teacher-led instruction and the use of nonelectronic instruction materials for K-5 students. Some access will be allowed in certain situations including targeted instructional support for intervention or remediation, accommodation for disabled students, and other criteria specified in the legislation.
The law does provide districts with flexibility to decide how those policies will work and develop them to best fit their students. For example, Hamilton County Schools has adopted a policy for K-5 students that does not assign individual devices, like Chromebooks, to elementary students and prohibits at-home device-based assignments for second graders and limiting those types of assignments for 3rd through 5th graders.
In a different approach, Bradley County Schools is implementing a “70/30” instructional model, with the goal of teaching about 70% of the time without devices and intentionally using technology for the remaining 30% to meet state standards and prepare students for state testing.
The technology revisions have been generally supported by parents, educators, and lawmakers who not only believe limiting device time not only helps students stay focused but also see the scientific developmental merits of returning to more traditional methods of instruction.
Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act
This law will allow teachers to discuss Christianity’s role in shaping American history by clarifying that those who speak from this perspective will not be in violation of state policy.
One of several pieces of legislation from this year named after the late conservative pillar, the “Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act” authorizes LEAs, public school teachers, and faculty at public institutions of higher education to provide instruction on the positive impacts of Christianity when teaching about American history.
Under this new law, teachers will be permitted to teach on topics like the religious history of the Pilgrims and Mayflower Compact, references to Divine authority in the Declaration of Independence, Christian influence and leadership on the U.S. Constitution, the role of the Ten Commandments in the American legal tradition, and the history of “In God We Trust” as the national motto among others.
Student Health And Safety
SB1716 allows schools to keep epinephrine on hand and administer to students who are believed to be having life-threatening allergic or anaphylactic reactions.
Another law prohibits educators from sexual behaviors with former students they interacted with in the past year, with penalties ranging from reprimand to license revocation.
Additionally, HB1527 will require public schools and public charter schools to provide instruction about child trafficking awareness and prevention to K-12 students through health education curriculum.
And one more bill expanded comparable protections for threats of mass violence on school property or at school-related activities to child-care agencies, preschools, and religious institutions, by making such threats a Class E felony while specifying that school officials are only legally required to report threats of mass violence they deem credible. The legislation was crafted in response to numerous cases where students were wrongly expelled and criminally charged due to school reporting requirements for making verbal threats they had no ability to fulfill.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
