Tennessee has finally laid out the consequences for schools or teachers found to be teaching certain topics regarding race and gender prohibited by a new state law.
Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn recently approved an emergency rule that spells out the financial penalties for school districts, possible employment penalties for teachers and the actual process of filing a complaint against teachers accused of teaching prohibited concepts.
The rule was amended after a 10-day public comment period in August and in response to more than 900 public comments and other feedback.
Only current Tennessee students, parents or district employees can file official complaints per the emergency rule. They have 45 days, increased from 30 under the first draft, from the date of the incident to do so.
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Local school districts and charter schools are charged with first investigating an allegation as they are "are best positioned to choose which textbooks and instructional materials meet the needs of their students, educators, and community," according to the rule.
Local districts are also tasked with determining appropriate "disciplinary action" against a teacher found to have violated the new state law, which could include termination of...
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