The Tennessee State Board of Education convened on August 1, 2025, for a rulemaking hearing focused on several key educational initiatives. The agenda included discussions on Individual Education Accounts, Innovative School Districts, graduation requirements, and special education regulations.

The first item addressed was the Individual Education Accounts (IEA) Rule 5-21-11-2. This program, designed for eligible students with qualifying disabilities, was amended to include deafness as a qualifying condition. This change aligns the rule with recent legislative updates, ensuring that the list of qualifying disabilities is current.

Next, the board discussed the Innovative School Districts Rule 5-20-01-5. This rule establishes a framework for universities to apply for operating training schools within innovative school districts, a new type of local education agency created by the Public Acts of 2024.

The third agenda item focused on academic and instructional requirements, specifically Rule 5-21-3-6, which pertains to graduation requirements. The rule mandates that all high school students, regardless of whether they pursue a traditional or alternate academic diploma, must complete at least one credit in computer science education. Additionally, the board updated the terminology from "all state musical organizations" to "all state art organizations" to reflect the inclusion of various art disciplines in graduation distinctions. It was noted that there are no proposed changes to world language requirements at this time, but any future changes would involve public feedback through a rulemaking hearing.

The final item discussed was Special Education Rule 5-20-19-0.24, which relates to functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans. The proposed revisions clarify that while the law encourages the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education settings, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team may determine that a more restrictive environment is necessary for students exhibiting harmful behaviors.

The meeting concluded with information on how to participate in the rulemaking hearing, both in person and electronically, as outlined in the notice filed with the Secretary of State's Office and available on the State Board's website. Overall, the hearing addressed significant updates to educational policies aimed at enhancing support for students with disabilities and improving educational outcomes across Tennessee.