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HB 2395

Education, Curriculum - As introduced, requires LEAs and public charter schools to include with its social studies curriculum the presentation of a civics instructional video approved by the state board of education at least once to students in grades six through eight and at least once to students in grades nine through 12. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 1 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Michele Reneau

Tennessee schools must show state-approved civics video to all middle and high school students once per level, standardizing civics instruction statewide.

Signed by Governor.
#curriculum #education
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Bill Summary · HB 2395

Legislative bill overview

HB 2395 mandates that Tennessee public schools and charter schools incorporate a state board-approved civics instructional video into their social studies curriculum, requiring at least one viewing for middle school students (grades 6-8) and at least one for high school students (grades 9-12). The bill amends Tennessee's education code to establish this as a statewide requirement across all LEAs (local education agencies).

Why is this important

Civics education directly affects how students understand democratic processes, voting rights, and government responsibilities—foundational knowledge for informed citizenship. The mandate ensures consistency in civics instruction across Tennessee's diverse school districts, though it also centralizes curriculum control through state-approved content, which raises questions about local educational autonomy and the specific messaging in the approved video.

Potential points of contention

  • Content control concerns: A single state-approved video creates a uniform civics message across all schools, potentially limiting diverse perspectives on government and civic participation
  • Local curriculum flexibility: The mandate reduces district-level discretion in choosing instructional materials that reflect community values or pedagogical approaches
  • Vagueness on video content: The bill doesn't specify what civics topics the video must cover, leaving critical details to the state board, which could lead to disputes over appropriateness or comprehensiveness

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

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