| AN ACT |
to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 28, Chapter 9, Part 17, revising the requirements for a college preparatory student to graduate from a high school in the state of Tennessee. |
BE IT ENACTED BY THE 2009 TENNESSEE 4-H CONGRESS:
SECTION 1: Based upon recent survey data from 500 major employers in Tennessee, the general assembly therefore acknowledges the importance of preparing students in the areas of mathematics and science for future careers in highly competitive and technological workforce. This act will be called the “Tennessee Diploma Project.”
SECTION 2: In an effort to increase college graduation rates, this act will align high school college preparatory standards with college and workforce expectations.
SECTION 3: The inability of high school graduates to be prepared for freshman level college courses in mathematics and science, and to maintain good academic standing in college or post-secondary education, is likely linked to inadequate coursework in Tennessee’s college preparation curriculum.
SECTION 4: This act requires students to earn an additional two [2] credits (one [1] for mathematics, and one [1] for science) for the university preparation curriculum, for a total of 22 credits. Currently, the university preparatory curriculum requires only 20 credits. Therefore, the proposed curriculum requires:
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Math - Four [4] credits (including algebra I, algebra II, geometry and a fourth from a higher level math course) |
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Science - Four [4] credits (including biology, chemistry or physics and a lab course) |
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English - Four [4] credits |
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Social Studies - Three [3] credits |
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Physical Education and Wellness - One [1] credit |
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Foreign Language - Two [2] credits |
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Elective Focus - Three [3] credits |
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TOTAL - 22 credits |
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SECTION 5: These new requirements will provide additional mathematics and science preparation that will, theoretically, give Tennessee college-bound graduates the tools to succeed in college and, ultimately, in their chosen career.
SECTION 6: This act shall become effective upon passage by the legislature and approval by the Governor or upon its otherwise becoming a law. The new requirements will become effective for the graduating class of 2013.
| Passed: _____________________ |
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Speaker of the Senate
Tennessee 4-H Congress |
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___________________________________
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Tennessee 4-H Congress
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Approved: ___________________ |
___________________________________
Governor
Tennessee 4-H Congress
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