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SB 1108

Education - As introduced, requires local boards of education to notify the department of education when a board declares itself to be a high performing school district; requires the department to maintain a list of high performing school districts on the department's website. - Amends TCA Title 49.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Janice Bowling

Requires Tennessee school districts to notify the state when declaring themselves high-performing and mandates the state maintain a public list of such districts.

Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 1108

Legislative bill overview

SB 1108 requires Tennessee school districts to formally notify the state Department of Education when they designate themselves as "high performing," and mandates that the department maintain and publicly display a list of these districts on its website. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49, which governs education law.

Why is this important

The bill creates transparency and accountability by establishing a standardized, publicly accessible record of which districts claim high-performing status, potentially helping parents and policymakers identify successful school systems. However, the bill does not define what qualifies as "high performing," raising questions about whether districts can self-designate without objective standards or state oversight.

Potential points of contention

  • Lack of objective standards: The bill doesn't specify criteria for what makes a district "high performing," potentially allowing districts to self-certify without meeting rigorous benchmarks
  • Administrative burden vs. benefit: Creating and maintaining a state database requires resources, and the practical value depends on whether the designation carries consequences or is merely informational
  • Accountability mechanism: Unclear whether the state can challenge or remove a district from the list if it fails to maintain claimed performance levels, or if the designation is essentially permanent once declared

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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