Image Credit: TN General Assembly & Canva
Tennessee Conservative News Staff –
The Senate Education Committee is scheduled to consider the “Tennessee Civics Education Act” – a bill that would require individuals applying for a teaching license in the state of Tennessee to pass the civics test that is currently given to immigrants wishing to gain U.S. citizenship.
Senate Bill 1709 (SB1709), sponsored by State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-D31), would require “persons seeking the first issuance of a practitioner teacher license or practitioner occupational teacher license to achieve a passing score on a United States civics test prepared by the department of education in order to obtain the license.”
Current Tennessee teachers will not be impacted by the legislation.
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) already requires high school seniors to take a test based on the one administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
New teachers would be required to pass the test with a score of 70% or higher.
The bill is currently on the Senate Education Committee’s calendar for February 25.
The companion House Bill 1658 (HB1658), sponsored by State Representative Kip Capley (R-Summertown-D71), was passed by the House Education Administration Subcommittee on February 17 and has been referred to the House Education Committee. It was passed with an amendment that would make the legislation applicable only to new teachers seeking an endorsement in social studies, history, or civics.
If you would like to give your thoughts on the legislation, please contact members of the Senate Education Committee prior to that meeting by using the contact information below.
Sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.raumesh.akbari@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.rusty.crowe@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov
Sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov; sen.raumesh.akbari@capitol.tn.gov; sen.rusty.crowe@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov; sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov; sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov; sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov
More information on HB1658 / SB1709 below:
One Response
Thanx, emailed committee, “Please vote YES!!
Discontinuance of civics in school was a BAD IDEA!!
Most now have near zero idea how their government works.