TennesseeTennessee private colleges may establish public charter schools
Regionally accredited private colleges with Tennessee campuses, including religiously affiliated colleges, may establish public charter schools under the law.
What it does
Private colleges with Tennessee campuses may establish public charter schools if they are regionally accredited. Religious affiliation does not exclude them.
Argument forAllowing eligible private colleges to run public charter schools could give communities more potential school operators.
Argument againstThe accreditation rule and exclusion of nonpublic schools could leave some organizations unable to apply to run public charter schools.
More detail
A private postsecondary institution may establish a public charter school under the charter school law. This covers private postsecondary institutions, including religiously affiliated institutions. The institution must maintain a campus in Tennessee and be regionally accredited to qualify as a sponsor. A nonpublic school may not establish a public charter school under these provisions. The law took effect on May 22, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1128Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 29Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Passed H., Ayes 65, Nays 18, PNV 0Passed House
- Mar 26Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 23Passed Senate, Ayes 25, Nays 5Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 3/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 23Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 23Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 20Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/23/2026
- Mar 11Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Vote recorded SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 3/11/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
- Feb 25Action deferred in Senate Education Committee to 3/11/2026
- Feb 18Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 2/25/2026
- Feb 5Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education CommitteeMinor
- Feb 2Filed for introductionMinor
- Feb 2Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationIntroduced
Education