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HB 1896

Schools, Private - As introduced, prohibits the state board of education from requiring a private school that provides a fully online, self-paced educational program to annually administer a nationally standardized achievement test in English language arts and mathematics to each student each year; directs the state board to require such private schools that provide a high school program to administer a nationally standardized achievement test in English language arts and mathematics to certain students based on the percentage of their high school program that the student has completed. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 1 and Title 49, Chapter 50.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Aron Maberry

Exempts online private schools from annual standardized testing, requiring tests only at program completion milestones instead of yearly assessments.

Failed in s/c K-12 Subcommittee of Education Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1896

Legislative bill overview

HB 1896 exempts fully online, self-paced private schools from annual standardized testing requirements in English language arts and mathematics. For high schools offering online programs, the bill instead requires testing only when students complete certain percentages of their program, creating a milestone-based assessment approach rather than annual universal testing.

Why is this important

Standardized testing requirements affect school accountability, student college readiness documentation, and how educational quality is measured. This change would reduce testing burdens for online private school students while potentially creating gaps in comparative data about their academic progress compared to traditionally-assessed students.

Potential points of contention

  • Accountability gap: Removing annual testing may limit visibility into whether online private schools maintain educational quality standards comparable to public schools and other private institutions
  • College admissions impact: Students without regular standardized test documentation may face disadvantages in college applications, financial aid, or transfer eligibility
  • Equity concerns: Online private school students (often from higher-income families) would receive regulatory relief unavailable to public and traditionally-schooled private students, potentially widening assessment disparities
  • Data comparability: Loss of consistent annual testing data makes it harder for policymakers to assess statewide educational trends and online program effectiveness

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

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