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Board legislative liaison outlines bills affecting classroom tech, social media curriculum and special education funding
Summary
At the meeting, the board's legislative liaison summarized several state bills under consideration, including a wireless device policy, required social media/internet-safety curriculum, TISA funding for special education pre-K, and bills reducing assessments and evaluations; liaison encouraged contact with state legislators.
The board's legislative liaison, Mr. Dunn, briefed the Arlington Community Schools Board on several state bills the district is watching, describing potential classroom and curricular impacts.
Bills highlighted in the report included: House Bill 932 and Senate Bill 897 (requiring a wireless communication device policy that would prohibit student use of cellular phones, tablets and similar devices during instructional time unless authorized by a teacher, for emergency events, for health management, or when included in an IEP/504 plan); House Bill 825 and Senate Bill 811 (directing the Tennessee Department of Education to develop a required social media and internet safety curriculum for grades 6'12 and restricting student access to social media over district internet unless teacher-authorized); House Bill 401 and Senate Bill 679 (directing TISA funds to special education pre-K, a priority on the district's legislative agenda); and House Bill 675 and Senate Bill 415 (a package of items including reductions to state-mandated assessments for grades 3'12 and fewer required evaluations for educators rated "at expectation or above").
Mr. Dunn urged board members and listeners to contact legislators. In less formal remarks, he said, "You're gonna have to give up your cell phones when you walk into a classroom" while noting it is unclear how the bills will fare in the legislature.
Why it matters: the proposals could change district policies on classroom device use, require new curriculum and professional development, and alter funding or assessment requirements. Mr. Dunn said the TISA funding change is a priority for the district and that the board supports funding required services.
What the board decided: the report was informational; no formal board action on the bills was taken at the meeting. Mr. Dunn recommended stakeholders reach out to their legislators to express views.
