State Board Chair Bob (identified in the transcript as chair of the State Board of Education) on Friday proposed a revision to Tennessee's high-school graduation rule that would lower the required world-language credits from two to one while maintaining the statewide requirement of 22 total credits.

Under the proposal, one of the former world-language credits would become an elective, so students would still need 22 credits to graduate but would have four elective credits (three of which must form a focused program of study when applicable). Chair Bob said the change is intended to increase student choice and align credits with students' postsecondary or workforce goals. "It's about choice," he said.

Rationale and context: Chair Bob cited national trends and workforce considerations, saying many states have reduced or removed a hard world-language graduation requirement and that colleges now generally use holistic admissions reviews. He also described staffing challenges in rural districts and said requiring one credit helps ensure districts must offer at least one world-language course. Chair Bob told the board that the Department of Education and partners like the Niswonger Foundation intend to expand virtual language offerings to support districts that cannot hire language teachers.

Board reaction and concerns: Several board members questioned whether tightening or standardizing the existing waiver process would achieve the same ends without changing the rule. Others argued that two years of language instruction provide cultural exposure and a foundation that supports advanced study: "The first credit really establishes language and culture basics. The second where they get the abstract concept that leads to AP classes," a board member said. Members also raised equity questions for students in districts that might reduce offerings and noted that staffing shortages are not unique to world-language teachers.

Policy mechanics and next steps: Michael airline, deputy executive director for policy and research (as identified in the transcript), acknowledged confusion over existing language in the academic-instructional rule and said staff could provide clearer definitions of "elective focus" and a standardized waiver template. The department said it is prepared to offer a standardized waiver and to work with districts on virtual options. Chair Bob said he plans to bring a modified proposal forward for board consideration in February.

Ending: The board discussed the proposal at length and did not vote on a change at the workshop. The proposal remains under board consideration with follow-up work on waiver language, elective definitions and access safeguards.