TN HB0291

Requires all Tennessee public higher education students entering as freshmen in 2025-2026 or later to complete a 3-credit-hour course in American government or history to obtain a baccalaureate degree

The Institute of American Civics at UT Knoxville must develop and distribute the curricula, which must cover the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, at least 5 Federalist Papers essays, Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address, MLK's Letter from Birmingham Jail, and one additional document foundational to the African-American freedom struggle

Students who completed equivalent AP, International Baccalaureate, or dual credit coursework with a cumulative final exam on these documents are exempt from the requirement

Governing boards must incorporate the requirement without adding total credit hours to any degree or conflicting with accreditation processes

Governing boards must submit annual compliance reports to the chairs of the Senate education and finance committees and the House higher education and finance committees