HB2163-SB2157
Gateway tests for Private & Home Schoolers

3/2/04: HB2163 has been taken 'off notice'. This means the bill won't be heard tomorrow morning as scheduled. However, this bill can simply be rescheduled at any time. After getting nothing but Rep. Turner's answering machine all morning long I actually drove down to his office and spoke to his secretary who told me the bill had been taken off notice. I then went down to Rep. Les Winningham's office where his secretary confirmed that it had been taken off the schedule for tomorrow. 

It is important to remember, though, that at any point, it can be placed back on the calendar for hearing. Since the calendar isn't published until Monday morning and the committee meets Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. there isn't much lead time. 

I believe we need to keep the pressure on Rep. Turner and continue to phone, fax and e-mail his office until he 'withdraws' the bill. Only then can we relax until next year.

Rep. Mike Turner Office Phone: 615-741-3229 Office Fax: 615-532-8221
Toll Free: 1-800-449-8366 (You'll be prompted to enter either your legislator's 5 digit phone number (13229) OR by pressing 8 you access the directory of names OR by pressing 2 you can send a fax.)

I believe we need to read his statement, when it comes, and respond with facts and rational explanations for our objections that touch on parental rights in regard to how we educate our children. This seems like a huge waste of resources, both for the government education system and private families that will be required to comply. This reminds me of the 'running amok' situation from several years back. Legislation is introduced based on anecdotes with no basis in fact. There is, obviously, an undercurrent that says we've got to get these homeschoolers under control. There are public education officials that mistakenly think that their job description includes the oversight of all school aged children. Such is not the case. We have opted out of their system and will resist every attempt to force us back in.

1/27/04: On the testing front: I called Rep. Mike Turner's office again today and his office staff knows about this bill but their response is he hasn't decided for sure to pull the bill. From two sources I've been told that Rep. Turner said on the House floor last night that he wouldn't run this bill until all three sides came to an agreement. I expect that sides one and two are homeschoolers and private schoolers and suspect that side three may be the education establishment. That is speculation on my part pending a real conversation with him. The House Education Committee calendar for 1/28/04 does not contain any legislation at this time and the bill isn't scheduled for a hearing according to the legislative website. 

1/22/04: So here's the legislation in better context.

49-1-608 currently reads:

49-1-608. Subject matter tests for secondary schools - Initiation of value added assessment.

"By not later than 1993, the development of subject matter tests will be initiated to measure performance of high school students * in subjects designated by the state board of education and approved by the education oversight committee. These tests must reflect the complete range of topics covered within the list of state approved textbooks for that subject. As soon as valid tests have been developed, the testing of students will be initiated to provide for value added assessment. Value added assessment shall be initiated in the designated subjects within secondary schools by 1999-2000 school year, and continued annually thereafter. Value added assessment may be initiated in other subjects designated by the state board of education and approved by the education oversight committee at such times as valid tests can be developed which effectively measure performance in such subjects. "

[Acts 1992, ch. 535, § 4; 1997, ch. 434, § 3; 1998, ch. 833, § 1.]

And so the new legislation will read (changes in RED):

"By not later than 1993, the development of subject matter tests will be initiated to measure performance of public or non-public high school students in subjects designated by the state board of education and approved by the education oversight committee. These tests must reflect the complete range of topics covered within the list of state approved textbooks for that subject. As soon as valid tests have been developed, the testing of students will be initiated to provide for value added assessment. Value added assessment shall be initiated in the designated subjects within secondary schools by 1999-2000 school year, and continued annually thereafter. Value added assessment may be initiated in other subjects designated by the state board of education and approved by the education oversight committee at such times as valid tests can be developed which effectively measure performance in such subjects. "

For a side-by-side comparison of the 49-6-3050(a)(2)(A) section of the homeschooling code go to: http://TnHomeEd.com/49-6-3050.html and you'll find the proposed changes in the left column next to the current law.

1/21/04: These bills were filed by Rep. Mike Turner (D-Nashville) and Senator Roscoe Dixon (D-Memphis).  Senator Dixon is the Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee. Both of these bills have been referred to their respective education committees but are not currently scheduled to be heard.

1/21/04: HB2163 and SB2157 have been introduced. The summary is: 

"Extends public school testing requirements to students in non-public schools."

 Check for more detailed information here: http://TnHomeEd.com/HB2163-SB2157.html

Contact Info:

From the summary on the state legislative site:

"Present law requires subject matter proficiency testing and comprehensive assessment testing (TCAP) for high school students. This bill would specify that such testing is mandatory for public and non-public high school students, including home school students affiliated with a non-public school."

Here's the legislation:

“House Bill 2163 (It’s companion SB2157 reads exactly the same.)

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 1, Part 6; Section 49-6-3050 and Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 60. relative to testing of school students.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-1-608, is amended by deleting the words “high school students” and substituting the words “public or non-public high school students”.

SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-6001(a)(1), is amended by deleting the words ‘high school” and substituting the words “public or non-public high school”.

SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-3050(a)(2)(A), is amended by deleting the period at the end of the subdivision and substituting the following:

, except those requiring the same testing of other home school or public school students.

  SECTION 4. The act shall take effect July 1, 2004, the public welfare requiring it.

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