Lawmakers Set Students up for Success During 2026 Session

Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) today released the following statement to recognize the critical work that members of the Tennessee General Assembly accomplished this year, building on the historic progress that students have made during Governor Bill Lee's term and cementing the importance of student outcomes for the next administration.

"The 2026 legislative session closed with meaningful wins for Tennessee students," said TSS President and CEO Lana Skelo. "The General Assembly seized the opportunity that this final year of Governor Lee's term offered, passing legislation that expands access to quality public schools, demands greater accountability from school districts, and ensures every child in Tennessee has a real shot at success. We are grateful to Governor Lee and the lawmakers who championed these measures, and we look forward to seeing this progress carry forward into the next chapter for Tennessee education."

Tennesseans for Student Success proudly engaged in the passage of legislation that created the following improvements to public education:

• $40 million for public charter school facilities.
• Automatic renewals for certain high-performing public charter schools.
• Closure of failing virtual schools.
• Automatic enrollment of high-performing students in Algebra 1.
• Improved financial transparency for school districts.
• Requirement for each public school district to annually submit a list of all local assessments. 

TSS looks forward to Governor Bill Lee signing each bill into law in the coming days and weeks.