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SB 565

Education, Curriculum - As introduced, requires each local education agency and public charter school to review any new family life curricula recommended by the joint task force on children's justice and child sexual abuse prior to the start of each school year. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 49.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Pody

Tennessee bill mandates annual school review of family life curricula recommended by state child justice task force before classroom implementation.

Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
#curriculum #education
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Bill Summary · SB 565

Legislative bill overview

SB 565 requires Tennessee local education agencies and public charter schools to review any new family life curricula recommended by the joint task force on children's justice and child sexual abuse before implementing it each school year. The bill amends state education law (TCA Titles 39 and 49) to formalize this review process as a mandatory step in curriculum adoption.

Why is this important

Family life curricula—which typically cover topics like reproduction, puberty, and relationships—are frequently contested in education policy. This bill creates a structured review mechanism involving a specialized state task force, potentially influencing what content reaches students and giving schools formal oversight authority. The requirement affects curriculum decisions at both traditional public schools and charter schools across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Curriculum content control: The bill doesn't specify what criteria schools should use when reviewing task force recommendations, leaving unclear whether schools can reject recommendations and on what grounds
  • Task force composition and expertise: The bill references an existing task force but doesn't detail its membership, potentially raising questions about whether all perspectives (medical, educational, parental, child welfare) are adequately represented
  • Implementation burden: Annual reviews create administrative requirements for every school district, with unclear funding or resource allocation to support this mandate

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

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