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SB 1077

Education, Higher - As introduced, requires the institute of American civics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to develop materials and curricula for a course in a baccalaureate degree program including American government or American history; requires each student enrolled in a public institution of higher education to complete a course of instruction that includes such curricula prior to the student obtaining a baccalaureate degree. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 7; Title 49, Chapter 8 and Title 49, Chapter 9.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Tennessee mandates all public university students complete UTK-developed civics coursework in American government or history before graduation.

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/20/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 1077

Legislative bill overview

SB 1077 requires the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to develop civics curricula and mandates that all students at Tennessee public universities complete a course in American government or American history before earning a bachelor's degree. The bill creates a statewide civics education requirement across the state's higher education system.

Why is this important

This establishes a uniform civics competency baseline for all undergraduate graduates in Tennessee's public universities. The requirement directly impacts curriculum design, course scheduling, and graduation timelines for tens of thousands of students across multiple institutions, while also centralizing curriculum development at one university.

Potential points of contention

  • Curriculum control and academic freedom: Centralizing civics material development at UTK raises questions about whether one institution should dictate content for all universities, and whether this limits faculty autonomy in teaching approaches
  • Implementation burden and costs: Requiring all institutions to adopt new coursework creates logistical challenges—scheduling conflicts, instructor training needs, and potential additional staffing costs that may fall unevenly across institutions
  • Content disputes: "American civics" curricula can reflect different political perspectives; debates may emerge over which historical interpretations, founding documents emphasis, or contemporary civic topics receive priority in standardized materials

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

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