Section 49-6-1503 - Learning loss remediation and student acceleration program(a) The department shall establish and administer a learning loss remediation and student acceleration program by: (1) Determining program requirements and a procedure for allocating funding to each LEA and participating public charter school for conducting after-school learning mini-camps and summer learning camps. LEAs and participating public charter schools are required to conduct summer learning camps and after-school learning mini-camps annually beginning in the summer of 2021;(2) Determining program requirements and a procedure for allocating funding to each LEA and participating public charter school for conducting learning loss bridge camps, which must be conducted annually beginning in the summer of 2021;(3) Providing training, technical assistance, and guidance to LEAs and participating public charter schools conducting after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps;(4) Implementing a learning loss remediation and student acceleration program preparation course to train and certify individuals who do not possess a teaching license to provide educational instruction as part of after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps;(5) Implementing a two-week summer professional development program on reading instruction for educators teaching English language arts or reading at no cost to LEAs or public charter schools; and(6) Establishing a process for LEAs or participating public charter schools to apply to the commissioner of education for a waiver of the one (1) or more of the minimum requirements outlined in § 49-6-1502(1)(A), (4)(A)-(C), and (9)(A)-(C) related to the hours, weeks, and days of in-person instruction, intervention, supplemental supports, and physical activity mandated for after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps.(b)(1) Each LEA shall participate in the learning loss remediation and student acceleration program by:(A) Implementing and conducting after-school learning mini-camps and summer learning camps for students, including students enrolled in a public charter school located within the geographic boundaries of the LEA. LEAs are required to conduct after-school learning mini-camps and summer learning camps annually beginning in the summer of 2021;(B) Implementing and conducting learning loss bridge camps for students, including students enrolled in a public charter school, including a state-authorized public charter school, located within the geographic boundaries of the LEA, annually beginning in the summer of 2021; and(C) Subject to available funding, providing all priority students, including priority students enrolled in a public charter school located within the geographic boundaries of the LEA, the opportunity to enroll in an after-school learning mini-camp, learning loss bridge camp, or summer learning camp, and, subject to the availability of additional seats after an LEA conducts the initial enrollment period for priority students pursuant to § 49-6-1504(b), providing students, including students enrolled in a public charter school located within the geographic boundaries of the LEA, who are not priority students with the opportunity to enroll in an after-school learning mini-camp, learning loss bridge camp, or summer learning camp.(2) Notwithstanding subdivisions (b)(1)(A) and (B), two (2) or more LEAs, public charter schools, or a combination of both may jointly establish an after-school learning mini-camp, learning loss bridge camp, or summer learning camp that may be attended by students enrolled in the respective LEA or public charter school, subject to the requirements of subdivision (b)(1)(C).(3) An LEA or public charter school may send students to an after-school learning mini-camp, learning loss bridge camp, or summer learning camp located in the LEA or conducted by the participating public charter school, or that is located in another LEA or conducted by another participating public charter school, subject to the requirements of subdivision (b)(1)(C).(4) Public charter schools may conduct after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps for the public charter school's students, rather than enrolling the public charter school's students in the camps conducted by the LEA within the boundaries of which the public charter school is located. If a public charter school conducts after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, or summer learning camps, then the public charter school must do so in compliance with this part.(c)(1) Funding for after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps may be used to:(A) Develop and implement detailed instructional programming plans for after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps using instructional materials adopted by the state board of education;(B) Provide instructional and supervisory staff for after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps;(C) Establish and implement staffing plans that enable educators teaching English language arts or reading in after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, or summer learning camps to participate in the summer professional development program on reading instruction pursuant to subdivision (a)(5);(D) Provide transportation for students attending after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, or summer learning camps;(E) Provide meals, snacks, or breakfast for students attending after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps;(F) Provide facilities for conducting after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps;(G) Provide staff to administer the state-adopted benchmark assessments to satisfy the post-test requirements of after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps; and(H) Provide stipends to teachers, tutors, and staff providing educational services to students in the after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps.(2) Funding for after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps must supplement, but shall not supplant, existing funding for other educational programs conducted by the LEA or public charter school outside of the regular school day.(d) Each LEA's local board of education and each governing body of a participating public charter school shall ensure that the after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps funded pursuant to this part operate in compliance with the same safety policies and procedures required of the LEA's and public charter school's regular school programs, as applicable, and ensure that each of the after-school learning mini-camps, learning loss bridge camps, and summer learning camps established under this part are subject to, and comply with:(1) The criminal history records checks required pursuant to § 49-5-413;(2) The maximum class size requirements under § 49-1-104; and(3) Inspections and investigations by department representatives and representatives from other local and state authorities, including, but not limited to the state fire marshal, state and local health departments, law enforcement, and the department of children's services, during operating hours.Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 639,s 4, eff. 4/4/2024.Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 144, Secs.s 2, s 3 eff. 4/13/2023.Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1085, s 10, eff. 5/27/2022.Added by 2021EX1 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1, s 1, eff. 2/3/2021.