TennesseeTennessee provides free classroom AI training and requires teacher coursework
Tennessee’s education department provides a free classroom AI course for teachers in grades 6–12, who must complete an approved course by the later of two deadlines.
What it does
The Department of Education provides at least one free course on using artificial intelligence in class for teachers in grades 6–12. The course is not taught live and may count toward professional development points.
Teachers in grades 6–12 must complete at least one Department-approved course on using artificial intelligence in class. Their local education agency or public charter school must approve professional development points for completing the training.
Argument forTeachers may gain practical classroom AI training through a free course that can count toward professional development points.
Argument againstThe required course may add to teachers’ training workload, since they must complete at least one approved AI course by the deadline.
More detail
The Department of Education provides at least one course on using artificial intelligence in the classroom. The course is for teachers, and it must be free for teachers in grades 6–12. The course must be available at no cost to teachers in grades 6–12. An experienced organization in a related field, such as computer science or another STEM field, must create the course content. The act took effect when it became law.
Teachers in grades 6–12 must complete at least one Department-approved course on using artificial intelligence in the classroom. This requirement applies to teachers in grades 6–12. Each local education agency and public charter school must approve professional development points for completing at least one Department-approved AI training course. Teachers must complete the course by August 1, 2028, or within two years of becoming licensed as a teacher in Tennessee, whichever is later.
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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. 1056Latest
- 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 27Enrolled 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 21Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA1067)Minor
- Apr 21Passed H., Ayes 88, Nays 0, PNV 0Passed House
- Apr 8Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Apr 6Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0837)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/6/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 6Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Apr 6Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 6Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 2Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/6/2026
- Mar 24Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 11, Nays 0 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 11, Nays 0 PNV 0 3/24/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 24Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 17Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 3/24/2026
- Mar 17Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
- Mar 10Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
- 2025
- Apr 17Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2025
- Apr 14Rule #83(8) Suspended, to be heard in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee on 4/15/2025
- Apr 14Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/15/2025
- Feb 20Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 19Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
- Vote recorded SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 2/19/2025 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 14Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 2/19/2025
- Feb 12Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education CommitteeMinor
- Feb 12Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 2/19/2025
- Feb 10Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 31Filed for introductionIntroduced
Education