TN HB1373

Converts Tennessee's pilot school turnaround program into a permanent statewide program for priority schools, effective for the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter

Department of Education selects up to 5 priority schools annually (maximum 15 total at any time), with at least 1 school from each of Tennessee's three grand divisions to ensure geographic diversity

Schools participate for up to 4 consecutive years: year one for developing a turnaround plan, followed by 3 years of implementation, with progress evaluated against federal ESSA exit criteria

Local boards must establish school turnaround committees (including board members, principals, parents, teachers, community representatives, and business leaders) and contract with independent turnaround experts by November 30 of the first year

Independent turnaround experts receive 50% of payment on a prorated basis during the contract, with the remaining 50% contingent on the school meeting priority school exit criteria by program completion