Education, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to convene a working group to study and develop best practices, strategies, and programming for English language learner (EL) educators in this state to utilize i, the official text

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State ef J enne&see

PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 419

                                                     SENATE BILL NO. 246

                                      By Gardenhire, Campbell, Bowling, Yarbro

                                             Substituted for: House Bill No. 410

                                                         By White, Glynn

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to English language learners.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1.

                    (a) The department of education shall convene a working group to study and develop
          best practices, strategies, and programming for English language learner (EL) educators in
          this state to utilize in educating EL students enrolled in a public school in this state in any of
          the grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12).

                    (b) The working group must be composed of:

                              (1) Directors of EL programs in K-12 public schools in this state, appointed by
                    the commissioner of education;

                              (2) Members of the state board of education, appointed by the executive
                    director of the state board;

                              (3) Representatives of the department of education, appointed by the
                    commissioner of education;

                              (4) Individuals with significant experience working with EL students and
                    educators, appointed by the commissioner of education;

                              (5) Members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the
                    house of representatives; and

                              (6) Members of the senate, appointed by the speaker of the senate.

                    (c) The working group shall:

                              (1) Study best practices in other states;

                              (2) Seek input from individuals and organizations with specialized knowledge
                    and experience working with EL students and educators; and

                              (3) Examine strategies designed to improve educational outcomes for EL
                    students and to assist EL educators in the classroom, such as:

                                        (A) Expanding professional development opportunities;

                                        (B) Creating an EL endorsement for licensed educators;

                                        (C) Employing the instructional practice of scaffolding in EL
                              classrooms by introducing concepts gradually and using supports such as
                              sentence frames and visual aids, including graphic organizers;
SB246
                                       (D) Utilizing collaborative learning in EL classrooms to foster

                             opportunities for peer interaction through group work, and utilizing cooperative
                             learning by pairing EL students with proficient English speaking students to
                             promote language practice and social integration;

                                       (E) Employing explicit vocabulary instruction in EL classrooms;
                                       (F) Providing regular assessments and feedback for EL students and
                             educators to assist EL educators in understanding student data and how to
                              use student data to inform EL instruction; and
                                       (G) Encouraging family involvement in EL instruction by providing
                              resources in their native language and encouraging the whole family to
                              participate in school activities both in-person and virtually.
                    (d) The department shall submit a report to the education committee of the senate
          and the committee of the house of representatives having jurisdiction over EL instruction for
          students in any of the grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12) outlining the findings of its
          study and including any recommendations for legislation. The department shall submit the
          report required in this subsection (d) by January 1, 2026.
                    (e) Members of the working group:
                              (1) Serve without compensation; and
                              (2) Are not entitled to receive per diem or reimbursement for any travel
                    expenses incurred in the performance of their duties to the working group.
          SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

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         SENATE BILL NO. 246

PASSED:  April 22, 2025

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                                                RAND __ _
                                  SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

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                             CAMERON--SEXTON,SPEAKER
                            HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APPROVED this qiD... day of f'V\Q,;t /\ ,         2025
                                               I

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                           BILL LEE, GOVERNOR