TennesseeTennessee sponsors may apply to open charter schools for adults
Tennessee sponsors may apply to open public charter schools for adults, with enrollment rules and a state performance framework; schools cannot open before 2029–2030.
What it does
Sponsors may apply to open public charter schools for adults, but those schools cannot open before the 2029–2030 school year.
Adult public charter schools must enroll timely applicants who are 18 or older and lack a diploma. If a program is full, the school must use a lottery, with preferences for certain local students.
Monthly enrollment for funding is calculated by dividing students' enrolled hours by 80, using a four-hour day and a 20-day school month.
State education officials must create a performance framework for adult public charter schools, including an assessment, and methods for collecting the needed data.
Argument forAdults without diplomas could have another path to earn high school credit, and returning students may re-enroll without entering a lottery.
Argument againstAdults without the listed local ties might have fewer chances to enroll when a school is full because some applicants receive earlier lottery preference.
More detail
Sponsors may apply to open an adult public charter school through the stated charter application routes. Sponsors may apply to the local school board or directly to the state charter commission through the specified application process. The school may not open before the 2029–2030 school year. The application provision takes effect July 1, 2026; schools may not open before the 2029–2030 school year.
An adult public charter school must enroll eligible applicants and use a lottery when applications exceed capacity. The rules apply to applicants to adult public charter schools, which serve only students age 18 or older. Applicants must be at least 18, lack a high school diploma, and apply on time under the school's deadline. Returning students may re-enroll without a lottery. When a lottery is needed, the school first prefers specified local residents who attended an adult high school or adult public charter school in the previous term or semester, then residents outside the local area. The lottery and preferences apply when applications exceed capacity; prior-term or semester attendance determines the stated preferences.
The state calculates funding for an adult public charter school using students' enrolled hours divided by 80 for each school month. This calculation applies to funding for adult public charter schools. The calculation uses a four-hour day and a 20-day school month. The calculation is made for each school month.
The education department, working with the state board and charter commission, must create an adult public charter school performance framework and data collection methods. The framework and data methods cover adult public charter schools. The framework must include an assessment aligned with the state board's policies for alternative measures of student achievement and growth. The framework must be ready before a sponsor submits a letter of intent to operate a school in the 2029–2030 school year.
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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. 1088Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026, 07/01/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 24Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 23Placed on Senate Message Calendar 2 for 4/23/2026
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 23Concurred, Ayes 28, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0905)Major
- Apr 22Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0798)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 31, Nays 0Passed House
- Apr 22Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 22Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Apr 22H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0905)Major
- Apr 22Passed H., as am., Ayes 72, Nays 18, PNV 2Passed Senate
- Apr 21Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/22/2026
- Mar 18Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 0 3/18/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/18/2026
- Mar 11Action deferred in Senate Education Committee to 3/18/2026
- Mar 5Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
- Mar 4Reset on Final calendar of Senate Education Committee
- Feb 26Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
- Jan 22Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education CommitteeMinor
- Jan 21Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 20Filed for introductionIntroduced
Education