Tennessee – 2021 – SB 7003 – Literacy Success Act

Tennessee

Creates the Tennessee Literacy Success Act
(Act). Requires each local education agency (LEA) and public charter school to provide foundational literacy skills instruction, annually administer three universal reading screeners to students in kindergarten through grade three (K-3), and provide reading interventions and supports for students in kindergarten through grade five (K-5) who are identified as having a significant reading deficiency.

Requires the Department of Education (DOE) to provide the universal reading screener at no cost to LEAs.

Requires each LEA and public charter school to adopt and use certain English language arts textbooks and instructional materials, unless a waiver is granted by the State Board of Education (SBE).

Requires each LEA and public charter school to provide home literacy reports to parents of students in K-5 who are identified as having a significant reading deficiency.

Requires DOE to develop at least one, free professional development course on foundational
literacy skills instruction that is available to teachers in K-5; a foundational literacy skills
instruction course and accompanying instructional materials used by high school students
participating in a teaching-as-a-profession career pathway; and foundational literacy skills
standards for use by all educator preparation providers