RULES
OF
THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
FOR
THE OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
CHAPTER 0520-1-2
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
0520-1-2-.01 Definition of a Tennessee Public School 0520-1-2-.11 School Board Training
0520-1-2-.02 Salary Schedules 0520-1-2-.12 Waivers
0520-1-2-.03 Employment Standards 0520-1-2-.13 Fiscal Accountability Standards
0520-1-2-.04 Leave for Teachers 0520-1-2-.14 Recruitment, Employment, and Retention of
0520-1-2-.05 Adult High Schools African- American Teachers
0520-1-2-.06 Adult Education 0520-1-2-.15 Approval of Textbooks
0520-1-2-.07 Joint Vocational Centers 0502-1-2-.16 Reporting Attendance Relative to Disciplinary Actions
0520-1-2-.08 Interscholastic Athletics 0502-1-2-.17
0520-1-2-.09 Alternative Schools through
0520-1-2-.10 Homebound Instructions for Pregnant Students 0520-1-2-.29 Repealed
0520-1-2-.01 DEFINITION OF A TENNESSEE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
A public school is the basic administrative unit of a state, county, city or special district school system, consisting of
one or more grade groups, one or more teachers to give instruction, one plant, and one principal, which school shall
be subject to the statutes of the State of Tennessee, and to rules, regulations, and minimum standards of the
Tennessee State Board of Education.
Authority: T.C.A. §49-3-306. Administrative History: Original rule certified June 10, 1974. Amendment filed
August 20, 1984; effective November 13, 1984. Amendment filed September 26, 1985; effective December 14, 1985.
Amendment filed September 20, 1987; effective December 22, 1987. Amendment filed October 18, 1988; effective
January 29, 1989. New rule filed February 16, 1989; effective April 2, 1989. Amendment filed July 11, 1990;
effective October 29, 1990. Repeal and new rule filed March 16, 1992; effective June 29, 1992.
0520-1-2-.02 SALARY SCHEDULES.
(1) The State Board of Education shall adopt annual salary schedule(s) for all licensed personnel; such
salary schedule(s) shall be effective for all school systems.
(2) The salary of a licensed educator (except a substitute teacher who is teaching for a regular teacher on
leave whose accumulated leave has not been exhausted) is determined by a combination of experience
and academic training.
(3) Experience.
(a) Kinds of Recognized Experience.
1. Verified administrative, supervisory and teaching experience in public schools or in
private schools approved by recognized accrediting agencies or approved by the
Tennessee Department of Education;
2. Experience as a professional employee of the Office of Education Accountability, the
State Board of Education or the State Department of Education;
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3. Higher education teaching experience in an institution approved by a regional accrediting
association;
4. U.S. Government service teaching programs;
5. Teacher exchange programs;
6. Experience as president of the Tennessee Education Association; and
7. Active military service in the armed forces of the United States prior to May 31, 1975,
shall be recognized. Military service in the Reserve or in the National Guard, other than
active duty, shall not be counted.
(b) The burden of proof of experience rests with the individual teacher.
(c) Amounts of Experience.
1. During any one fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) not more than ten months of
experience may be counted. The number of years' teaching experience shall be
determined by dividing the total number of months taught by ten. A fraction of five or
more months shall be counted as a full year's teaching experience.
2. Not more than five years' experience in the armed forces of the United States shall be
counted.
3. College or university teaching experience shall be based upon the teaching load carried by
a full-time teacher as certified by the college official in charge of teachers' records.
(4) Training.
(a) College or university course work must be completed on or before August 31 of the current
school year to be counted toward the academic training factor in salary calculation.
Documentation of changes must be filed with the State Department of Education on or before
December 1 of the current school year.
(b) For those teachers employed after the opening of the regular school term, credits earned after
August 31 shall be granted, provided such teachers are rated on the basis of academic training
earned at the time of employment.
Authority: T.C.A. §§49-1-302(a)(5) and 49-3-306. Administrative History: Original rule certified June 10, 1974.
Amendment filed June 10, 1974; effective July 10, 1974. Amendment filed June 30, 1975; effective July 30, 1975.
Amendment filed July 15, 1976; effective August 15, 1976. Amendment filed February 28, 1978; effective March
30, 1978. Amendment filed January 9, 1979; effective February 23, 1979. Amendment filed and new rule filed
October 15, 1979; effective January 8, 1980. Amendment filed April 14, 1980; effective May 28, 1980. Amendment
filed November 13, 1981; effective March 16, 1982. Amendment filed June 4, 1982; effective September 30, 1982.
Amendment filed August 17, 1983; effective November 14, 1983. Amendment filed August 20, 1984; effective
November 13, 1984. Amendment filed September 26, 1985; effective December 14, 1985. Repeal and new rule filed
May 8, 1986; effective June 27, 1986. Amendment filed September 20, 1987; effective December 22, 1987.
Amendment filed October 18, 1988; effective January 1989. Amendment filed November 9, 1989; effective
February 28, 1990. Amendment filed July 11, 1990; effective October 29, 1990. Repeal and new rule filed March
16, 1992; effective June 29, 1992. Amendment filed January 21, 1994; effective May 31, 1994. Amendment filed
August 7, 1995; effective December 29, 1995. Amendment filed October 11, 1995; effective February 28, 1996.
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ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 0520-1-2
0520-1-2-.03 EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS.
(1) A teacher or principal shall hold a valid Tennessee teacher license with an endorsement covering the
work assignment as provided in T.C.A. Title 49, Chapter 5.
(2) A teacher may teach up to two sections of one course outside the area of endorsement. For a teacher to
teach more than one course or more than two sections of one course outside the area of endorsement,
an employment standard waiver must be requested and approved. Teachers assigned two or more
sections of a course outside the area of endorsement before June 30, 1976 may continue to teach those
courses until a new assignment is made by the local school officials.
(3) A classroom teacher with an endorsement in elementary education or early childhood education is
eligible to teach any subject, including art, music, and physical education, in the grades covered by the
endorsement as part of the teacher's regular classroom assignment.
(4) A teacher in grades K through 8 who teaches art, music, or physical education the major portion of the
day shall be endorsed in art, music, or physical education respectively. However, a teacher endorsed in
elementary education who was assigned to teach music, art, or physical education the major portion of
the day during the 1990-91 school year may continue to teach the specific course until such time as a
new assignment is made by the local school officials.
(5) A teacher with a license endorsed in a subject 7-12 may teach any subject in grade six covered by the
endorsement.
(6) Principals.
(a) A principal shall hold one of the following endorsements: beginning administrator, professional
administrator, administration/supervision, or principal.
(b) Individuals employed for the first time as a principal beginning July 1, 1994, shall hold an
appropriate endorsement and shall meet the requirements for test/assessment specified by the
State Board of Education.
(c) Individuals employed for the first time as a principal beginning July 1, 1994, shall be employed
with the beginning administrator, administration/supervision or principal endorsements for a
maximum of three years; after three years, the principal must be recommended for and attain the
professional administrator endorsement for continued employment as a principal. In the event
that a candidate changes employment prior to obtaining the professional administrator
endorsement, the candidate may be employed again as a beginning principal prior to obtaining
the professional administrator endorsement.
(d) A principal, with the approval of the superintendent, shall establish and implement an annual
plan for personal professional development in accordance with guidelines established by the
State Board of Education.
(e) A principal of a school with less than 225 students shall not be required to meet the requirements
of (a), (b), or (c).
(f) A principal holding an endorsement in administration/supervision, supervisor of instruction, or
principal on August 31, 1994, shall not be required to meet the requirements of (b) or (c).
(7) Teaching Personnel in Gifted Education.
(a) A teacher providing specialized instruction as provided in a valid IEP to eligible intellectually
gifted students shall meet the following employment standards:
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1. A teacher shall have completed six semester hours or the equivalent thereof including the
nature and needs of gifted students and methods of teaching gifted students.
2. A teacher must be endorsed in the appropriate content area and at the appropriate grade
level or must hold the special education endorsement.
(b) A teacher who is endorsed in the appropriate content area and at the appropriate grade level may
work in concert with a consulting teacher who has both the special education endorsement and
the six semester hours or equivalent in nature and needs and methods of teaching gifted students.
(c) Approved training shall consist of college or university course work or other training which has
received prior approval of the Commissioner of Education or designee.
(d) In lieu of the employment standards set forth in the preceding items, teachers will be permitted
to teach eligible intellectually gifted students if they served such students prior to July 1, 1988,
and held the special education endorsement prior to September 1, 1989.
(8) Teachers of Computer Technology, Grades 9-12.
(a) A teacher of personal computing, computer productivity applications, and interactive multimedia
design shall have a valid Tennessee teacher license with an endorsement in grades 7-12 and shall
have completed the equivalent of six semester hours of computer course work or have the
appropriate endorsement.
(b) A teacher of BASIC and adventures in computing shall have a valid Tennessee teacher license
with an endorsement grades 7-12 and shall have completed the equivalent of six semester hours
of computer course work including at least one programming language.
(c) A teacher of programming languages and advanced placement computer science shall have a
valid Tennessee teacher license with an endorsement grades 7-12 and shall have completed the
equivalent of 12 semester hours of computer course work including six semester hours of
programming.
(9) Vocational-Technical Education.
(a) A teacher of agricultural education shall hold a valid Tennessee teacher license with appropriate
endorsement and shall have appropriate work experience.
(b) A teacher of marketing education shall hold a valid Tennessee teacher license with appropriate
endorsement and shall have two years of appropriate experience in marketing education.
(c) A teacher of health science and technology education shall have completed three years of
successful employment experience as a registered nurse or in an allied health occupation within
the seven years prior to initial employment as a teacher.
(d) A teacher of trade and industrial education shall be a high school graduate or the equivalent, as
determined by the General Education Development (GED) test. The teacher shall have a
minimum of five years of appropriate and current work experience in the field for which
application is made. A combination of technical or vocational education at the postsecondary
level from a state technical institute, area vocational school, or other accredited public or private
institution may also be evaluated. The amount of credit awarded for postsecondary related
education shall not exceed two years.
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(e) A VIP teacher shall hold a valid Tennessee teacher license with appropriate endorsement in
English, mathematics, science, special teacher of reading, or special education.
(10) Other Instructional and Related Personnel.
(a) A school counselor shall hold the appropriate license and endorsement for the grade levels
assigned.
(b) A school psychologist shall hold a valid license with the school psychologist endorsement.
(c) A school social worker shall hold a license with the school social work endorsement.
(d) A supervisor of instruction shall hold a valid Tennessee license with one of the following
endorsements: beginning administrator, professional administrator, administrator/supervisor, or
supervisor of instruction.
1. Beginning July 1, 1994, individuals employed for the first time as a supervisor of
instruction shall hold an appropriate endorsement and shall meet the requirements for
test/assessment specified by the State Board of Education.
2. Beginning July 1, 1994, individuals employed for the first time as a supervisor of
instruction shall be employed with the beginning administrator, administrator/supervisor,
or supervisor of instruction endorsements for a maximum of three years. After three
years, for continued employment as a supervisor of instruction, the supervisor of
instruction must be recommended for and attain the professional administrator
endorsement. In the event that the candidate changes employment prior to obtaining the
professional administrator endorsement, the candidate may be employed again as a
beginning supervisor of instruction prior to obtaining the professional administrator
endorsement.
3. Any person who performs the duties of a supervisor of instruction, regardless of the title
of such person's position, must have the endorsement or license required of a supervisor
of instruction.
4. Persons having an endorsement as a supervisor of instruction as of August 31, 1994, shall
be issued a professional administrator license and shall not be required to meet the
requirements of 1 or 2.
(c) A supervisor of special education shall:
1. Hold a valid Tennessee license with one of the following endorsements: beginning
administrator, administrator/supervisor, or supervisor of instruction and shall have three
years of experience with programs for children with disabilities; or
2. Hold a master's degree and a valid Tennessee teacher license with endorsement in at least
one area of special education and shall have three years of experience with programs for
children with disabilities.
(f) Any person who performs the duties of a supervisor of instruction, regardless of the title of such
person's position, must have the endorsement or license required of a supervisor of instruction.
(g) Persons having an endorsement as supervisor of instruction as of August 31, 1994, shall be
issued a professional administrator license.
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(Rule 0520-1-2-.03, continued)
(h) Compensatory Education Personnel (Chapter I).
1. A project director or supervisor of the subject areas and/or program areas shall hold
endorsement as supervisor of instruction, administration/supervision or superintendent.
2. A Chapter I evaluator shall hold a valid Tennessee teacher license or shall meet
employment standards as a school psychologist or school counselor.
3. Other professional personnel employed in Chapter I programs not otherwise covered by
licensure or employment standards shall possess a valid Tennessee teacher license.
(i) Persons holding vocational education supervisory positions including local directors,
supervisors, coordinator specialists, assistant principals for vocational education, and center
administrators shall have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in vocational education from an
accredited four-year college or university and shall have completed three years of teaching
experience in an approved vocational-technical education program. They shall also have had
two years of appropriate employment experience in a recognized occupation.
(j) Educational assistants shall have not less than a high school education or an equivalency high
school diploma; those who have completed one or more years of college shall be given
preference in employment.
(k) A superintendent appointed by the local board of education elected by the general public shall
only be required to have a baccalaureate degree. Any elected superintendent shall meet all
qualifications set forth in these rules and regulations, which include at least a master's degree
with emphasis in administration supervision and related courses.
(l) Individuals employed by local school systems to provide educational interpreting for students
who are deaf shall satisfy the requirements defined below beginning September 1, 1997.
1. An Interpreter/Educational Assistant shall be a high school graduate or equivalent as
determined by performance on the General Education Development (GED) Test: and
successfully complete training or screening developed by the State Department of
Education and approved by the State Board of Education.
2. An Interpreter/Educational Tutor shall have completed a minimum of 48 semester hours
of coursework at a postsecondary level: and successfully complete training or screening
developed by the State Department of Education and approved by the State Board of
Education.
3. An Educational Interpreter/Instructor shall have completed a bachelors degree and a
program in educational interpreting or hold a valid teacher license; and successfully
complete training or screening developed by the State Department of Education and
approved by the State Board of Education.
4. Compensation of an individual providing educational interpreting shall be determined by
the local school system and shall take into consideration the level of preparation, training,
and work requirements.
(11) Speech-Language Teacher.
(a) A speech-language teacher employed after June 30, 2000, shall hold a valid Tennessee teacher's
license with the appropriate endorsement and shall have a master's degree in speech-language
pathology. Teachers with a bachelor's degree may be hired only in those school systems which
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ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 0520-1-2
(Rule 0520-1-2-.03, continued)
have made a good faith effort to hire the most qualified teachers and have determined that there
are an insufficient number of teachers with a master's degree in speech-language pathology.
Teachers hired under this provision must make satisfactory progress toward achieving a master's
degree within three years.
(b) A bachelor's level teacher of speech-language with a valid Tennessee teacher license with the
appropriate endorsement employed prior to June 30, 2000 must make satisfactory progress
toward achieving a master's degree or the equivalent to the master's degree in speech-language
pathology by July 1, 2010.
(c) The equivalent to the master's requirements shall include the following:
1. Successful completion of fifteen semester hours of graduate credit in the areas of speech-
language pathology, audiology, speech, language, and hearing sciences. None of these
semester hours may be credits earned for clinical practicum;
2. Fifteen continuing education units in speech-language pathology earned from sources
approved by the Department of Education. None of these units shall have been earned
prior to January 1990. Additional graduate semester hours, up to fifteen, in speech-
language pathology may be used to fulfill this requirement; and
3. One hundred hours of practicum experience under the supervision of a teacher with a
master's degree in speech-language pathology or who holds a Certificate of Clinical
Competence.
(12) Speech-Language.
Individuals providing services to students with speech-language disabilities shall hold a teacher license
with a speech-language endorsement, be in a speech-language pathologist clinical fellowship, or be
licensed as a speech-language pathologist by the Board of Examiners of Speech Pathology and
Audiology.
Authority: T.C.A. § 49-1-302, 49-2-301, and 49-5-108; Section 86 of Chapter 535 of the Public Acts of 1992.
Administrative History: Original rule certified June 10, 1974. Amendment filed July 10, 1974; effective July 10,
1974. Amendment filed June 30, 1975; effective July 30, 1975. Amendment filed July 15, 1976; effective August 15,
1976. Amendment filed February 28, 1978; effective March 30, 1978. Amendment filed January 9, 1979; effective
February 23, 1979. Amendment and new rule filed October 15, 1979; effective January 8, 1980. Amendment filed
November 13, 1981; effective March 16, 1982. Amendment filed June 4, 1982; effective September 30, 1982.
Amendment filed August 17, 1983; effective November 14, 1983. Amendment filed August 20, 1984; effective
November 13, 1984. Amendment filed September 26, 1985; effective December 14, 1985. Amendment filed May 8,
1986; effective June 27, 1986. Amendment filed September 20, 1987; effective December 22, 1987. Amendment
filed October 18, 1988; effective January 29, 1989. Amendment filed November 9, 1989; effective February 28,
1990. Amendment filed July 11, 1990; effective October 29, 1990. Repeal and new rule filed March 16, 1992;
effective June 29, 1992. Amendment filed May 12, 1992; effective August 29, 1992. Amendment filed September 1,
1992; effective December 29, 1992. Amendment filed August 10, 1993; effective December 29, 1993. Amendment
filed November 22, 1993; effective March 30, 1994. Amendment filed January 21, 1994; effective May 31, 1994.
Amendment filed March 31, 1994; effective June 14, 1994. Amended by Public Chapter No. 957, Acts of 1994;
effective May 10, 1994. (See Attorney General opinion No. 094-080). Amendment filed January 31, 1995; effective
May 31, 1995. Amendment filed May 31, 1996; effective September 27, 1996. Amendment filed October 17, 1997;
effective February 27, 1998. Amendment filed May 28, 1999; effective September 28, 1999. Amendment filed July
31, 2000; effective November 28, 2000.
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ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 0520-1-2
0520-1-2-.04 LEAVE FOR TEACHERS.
(1) The term "teacher" shall mean any person employed by a local board of education in a position which
requires a license issued by the State Department of Education. The term "teacher" shall not apply to a
substitute teacher.
(2) Sick Leave. "Sick leave" shall mean leave of absence because of illness of a teacher from natural
causes or accident, quarantine, or illness or death of a member of the immediate family of a teacher,
including the teacher's wife or husband, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, brothers,
sisters, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law.
Upon written request of the teacher accompanied by a statement from her physician verifying
pregnancy, any teacher who goes on maternity leave shall be allowed to use all or a portion of her
accumulated sick leave for maternity leave purposes during the period of her physical disability only,
as determined by a physician.
(3) Personal and Professional Leave. A teacher may take two days of personal and professional leave per
school year in accordance with policies of the local board of education.
(4) Career Ladder Evaluator Professional Leave.
(a) Leave may be granted by a local school system to certificated employees to conduct evaluations
in the Career Ladder certification process, pursuant to law.
(b) Such leave shall not be construed to forfeit any rights, benefits or credits earned under the local
board of education.
(c) Career Ladder evaluators shall be under the supervision of the Career Ladder Division, State
Department of Education. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to require the State
Department of Education to compensate local boards of education for teachers employed as
substitutes for teachers on such Career Ladder evaluator professional leave.
(5) Personal Injury Leave.
(a) When a school system determines that a teacher's absence from assigned duties was required as
a result of personal physical injuries caused by a physical assault or other violent criminal act
committed against the teacher while on duty, the school system shall grant personal injury leave
for those days of absence.
(b) Each local school system shall develop policies and procedures for determining eligibility for
and implementing personal injury leave consistent with these rules. The policies and procedures
may include provisions such as timely notification of the incident and injuries sustained, a
requirement that medical attention be sought immediately, submission of a doctor's statement
verifying the nature, extent and duration of the disability, option by the school system of a third
party opinion, and guidelines for a process to make periodic redeterminations of eligibility if the
absence exceeds a given time frame.
(c) Nothing in Rule 0520-1-2-.04(5) shall preclude a teacher at his or her option from directing that
an absence which would otherwise qualify for personal injury leave under paragraph (5) be
charged to accumulated sick leave or personal leave instead of personal injury leave.
(6) Substitute teachers are those persons employed to replace teachers on sick, professional, or personal
leave or to fill temporary vacancies (this exists until a licensed teacher is available and employed).
Substitutes are employed and paid in the following manner:
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(Rule 0520-1-2-.04, continued)
(a) A person without a teacher's license or permit may serve as a substitute for the first 20
consecutive days of absence of a regular teacher on approved leave.
(b) After 20 consecutive days of approved leave, a person serving as the substitute must be licensed
and hold the appropriate endorsement for the assignment or must be a retired teacher and have
held the appropriate endorsement.
(c) After the regular teacher's accumulated leave is exhausted, the replacement teacher must be
licensed and hold the appropriate endorsement for the assignment or be a retired teacher and
have held the appropriate endorsement and must be paid based on the replacement teacher's
training and experience record in accordance with the state and local salary schedules.
(7) The total accumulated sick leave shall mean the total number of sick leave days which have been
earned but not yet used. A teacher in need of sick leave shall be allowed to use unearned sick leave up
to the amount of days which such teacher may accumulate during the remainder of the current school
year.
(8) Each local board of education shall participate in the state leave program. Local boards of education
shall provide the required local contribution from public school funds for payment of substitute
teachers. Teachers shall not pay any part of the state required local contribution.
(9) All local boards of education shall participate in the state leave program for the payment of substitute
teachers. Each local board of education shall claim and be reimbursed from state funds, the amount to
which it is entitled under the provisions of T.C.A. Section 49-3-312 and Section 49-5-701 for those
days which are used. The local board of education shall submit a claim for reimbursement to the State
Commissioner of Education by June 10th of each year. This claim shall include the number of days
(and the amount paid per day) on which a substitute teacher taught for a regular teacher who had
sufficient leave days accumulated.
Authority: T.C.A. §§49-1-302; 49-3-312 and 49-5-701 et seq; Section 27 of Chapter 535 of the Public Acts of
1992. Administrative History: Original rule certified June 10, 1974. Amendment filed June 10, 1974; effective
July 10, 1974. Amendment filed June 30, 1975; effective July 30, 1975. Amendment filed July 15, 1976; effective
August 16, 1976. Amendment filed February 28, 1978; effective March 30, 1978. Amendment filed January 9,
1979; effective February 23, 1979. Amendment and new rule filed October 15, 1979; effective January 8, 1980.
Amendment filed November 13, 1981; effective March 16, 1982. Amendment filed June 4, 1982; effective
September 30, 1982. Amendment filed August 17, 1983; effective November 14, 1983. Amendment filed August 20,
1984; effective November 13, 1984. Amendment filed September 26, 1985; effective December 14, 1985.
Amendment filed May 8, 1986; effective June 27, 1986. Amendment filed September 20, 1987; effective December
22, 1987. Amendment filed October 18, 1988; effective January 29, 1989. Amendment filed November 9, 1989;
effective February 28, 1990. Amendment filed July 11, 1990; effective October 29, 1990. Repeal and new rule filed
March 16, 1992; effective June 29, 1992. Amendment filed September 1, 1992; effective December 29, 1992.
Amendment filed October 17, 1997; effective February 27, 1998.
0520-1-2-.05 ADULT HIGH SCHOOLS.
(1) Adult high schools may be established and maintained by local boards of education.
(2) Before the FTEADM of any adult high school shall be counted in distribution of state funds, such
schools shall meet the standards of an approved school and shall provide without fee all services, such
as free textbooks, to which any student of grades 9 through 12 is entitled under rules and regulations of
the State Board of Education, state and federal statutes, and policies of local boards of education, with
the exceptions listed below:
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(Rule 0520-1-2-.05, continued)
(a) The computation of the FTEADM of adult high schools shall be on the basis of a 4 hour day and
20 day school month. The FTEADM for any month shall be determined by dividing the total
hours for which persons were enrolled during the month by 80.
(b) While in attendance at an adult high school, students may earn all or a portion of the required
credits necessary for graduation. Physical education, however, shall not be a requirement for
graduation. Except for the Tennessee Proficiency Test, students are exempted from other state-
mandated testing programs.
(c) Adult high schools may operate twelve months per year and provide flexible scheduling
necessary for both day and night programs, provided hours-per-credit requirements are met. All
terms in a year round operation are considered regular terms.
(d) Adult high school students must be at least 17 years of age and must have withdrawn from the
regular school program.
(e) Adult high school students may register for and earn as few as 1/2 unit of credit per term.
(f) To earn one unit of credit in an adult high school, a minimum of 133 contact hours per course
shall be required.
Authority: T.C.A. §§49-1-302; 49-2-203(b)(3) and 49-6-501. Administrative History: Original rule certified June
10, 1974. Amendment filed June 10, 1974; effective July 10, 1974. Amendment filed June 30, 1975; effective July
30, 1975. Amendment filed July 15, 1976; effective August 16, 1976. Amendment filed February 28, 1978; effective
March 30, 1978. Amendment filed January 9, 1979; effective February 23, 1979. Amendment and new rule filed
October 15, 1979; effective January 8, 1980. Amendment filed June 4, 1982; effective September 30, 1982.
Amendment filed August 17, 1983; effective November 14, 1983. Amendment filed August 20, 1984; effective
November 13, 1984. Amendment filed September 26, 1985; effective December 14, 1985. Amendment filed May 8,
1986; effective June 27, 1986. Amendment filed September 20, 1987; effective December 22, 1987. Amendment
filed October 18, 1988; effective January 29, 1989. Amendment filed November 9, 1989; effective February 28,
1990. Amendment filed July 11, 1990; effective October 29, 1990. Repeal and new rule filed March 16, 1992;
effective June 29, 1992.
0520-1-2-.06 ADULT EDUCATION.
Adult education programs, grades 1-12 or any combination, if offered, shall be organized and operated as a part of
the public school program and shall be under the control and management of the board of education having
jurisdiction and shall comply with rules and regulations prescribed by the State and local boards of education.
Authority: T.C.A. §49-1-302. Administrative History: Original rule certified June 10, 1974. Amendment filed
June 10, 1974; effective July 10, 1974. Amendment filed June 30, 1975; effective July 30, 1975. Amendment filed
July 15, 1976; effective August 16, 1976. Amendment filed February 28, 1978; effective March 30, 1978.
Amendment filed January 9, 1979; effective February 23, 1979. Amendment and new rule filed October 15, 1979;
effective January 8, 1980. Amendment filed November 13, 1982; effective March 16, 1982. Amendment filed June
4, 1982; effective September 30, 1982. Amendment filed August 17, 1983; effective November 14, 1983.
Amendment filed June 28, 1984; effective September 11, 1984. Amendment filed August 20, 1984; effective
November 13, 1984. Amendment filed September 26, 1986; effective December 14, 1985. Amendment filed May 8,
1986; effective June 27, 1986. Amendment filed September 20, 1987; effective December 22, 1987. Amendment
filed October 18, 1988; effective January 29, 1989. Amendment filed November 9, 1989; effective February 28,
1990. Amendment filed July 11, 1990; effective October 29, 1990. Repeal and new rule filed March 16, 1992;
effective June 29, 1992.
November, 2000 (Revised) 10
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 0520-1-2
0520-1-2-.07 JOINT VOCATIONAL CENTERS.
Where two or more local school system boards of education pool their resources in the establishment, operation,
maintenance, and transportation of pupils of a joint vocational center, such school shall meet the standards
established by the State Board of Education for an approved school unless otherwise provided by law.
Authority: T.C.A. §§49-11-101 and 49-11-104. Administrative History: Original rule certified June 10, 1974.
Amendment filed June 10, 1974; effective July 10, 1974. Amendment filed June 30, 1975; effective July 30, 1975.
Amendment filed July 15, 1976; effective August 16, 1976. Amendment filed February 28, 1978; effective March
30, 1978. Amendment filed January 9, 1979; effective February 23, 1979. Amendment and new rule filed October
15, 1979; effective January 8, 1980. Amendment filed April 14, 1980; effective May 28, 1980. Amendment filed
November 13, 1982; effective March 16, 1982. Amendment filed June 4, 1982; effective September 30, 1982.
Amendment filed August 17, 1983; effective November 14, 1983. Repeal filed June 28, 1984; effective September
11, 1984. Amendment filed January 31, 1985; effective April 16, 1985. Repeal filed July 22, 1987; effective
October 28, 1987. New rule filed February 16, 1989; effective April 2, 1989. Amendment filed November 9, 1989;
effective February 28, 1990. Amendment filed July 11, 1990; effective October 29, 1990. Repeal and new rule filed
March 16, 1992; effective June 29, 1992.
0520-1-2-.08 INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS.
(1) The State Board of Education recognizes the value of participation in interscholastic athletics and the
role of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association in coordinating interscholastic athletic
competition. The State Board of Education authorizes the public schools of the state to voluntarily
maintain membership in the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association.
(2) The total basketball games allowed per team in a school which serves any combination of grades K
through 8 shall not exceed 20 during a school year. Tournaments shall count as two games
notwithstanding the number of games in which each team participates in a tournament. Practice can
begin no earlier than four weeks prior to the first scheduled game and shall end after the last
tournament or regular season game in which the team participates.
(3) All athletic practice within the regular hours of any school day must be approved on an annual basis by
the local board of education; such action must be reflected in the minutes of the local board of
education. All approved athletic practice during the regular hours of any school day shall conform to
the same rules, regulations, and seasons as corresponding athletic practice outside the school day.
(4) A local board of education shall not authorize high school credits in physical education for
participation in interscholastic athletic practice during regular school hours.
Authority: T.C.A. §49-1-302. Administrative History: Original rule certified June 10, 1974. Amendment filed
February 28, 1978; effective March 30, 1978. Amendment filed January 9, 1979; effective February 23, 1979.
Repeal and new rule filed March 16, 1992; effective June 29, 1992. Amendment filed October 31, 1995; effective
February 28, 1996. Amendment filed April 27, 1998; effective August 28, 1998.
0520-1-2-.09 ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS.
(1) Definition: An alternative school is a short term intervention program designed to develop academic
and behavioral skills for students who have been suspended or expelled from the regular school
program.
(2) Requirements:
(a) The instruction shall be as nearly as practicable in accordance with the instructional program in
the student's regular school.
November, 2000 (Revised) 11
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 0520-1-2
(Rule 0520-1-2-.09, continued)
(b) All course work and credits earned shall be transferred and recorded in the student's regular
school.
(c) Students are subject to all rules of the school system providing the alternative school. Violation
of rules may cause students to be removed from the program but shall not constitute grounds for
extending the length of original suspension or expulsion.
(d) All laws, rules, and regulations shall be followed with children eligible for special education. If
a change of placement is made, due process procedures are mandated.
(e) Reasons for placement in an alternative school must be documented. End of year reports must
be made to the regular school for each student.
(f) Teachers must have a valid Tennessee teacher license.
(g) Support services such as counseling and psychological services must be accessible.
(h) All alternative school classrooms shall have working two-way communication systems that make
it possible for teachers or other employees to notify a principal, supervisor, or other
administrator that there is an emergency.
(i) It is the responsibility of the superintendent to insure that all alternative school teachers and
other employees have been trained to use the two-way communication system and are notified of
emergency procedures prior to the beginning of classes for any school year and when changes
are made in the emergency procedures and/or personnel. Such emergency procedures shall be
linked to the school and school system emergency preparedness plan.
(3) Funding.
(a) Students attending an alternative school shall continue to earn state education funds in the
regular school system.
(b) Other state funding shall be made according to a formula developed annually by State
Commissioner of Education.
(4) Facilities:
(a) A local board of education may not contract or otherwise affiliate with an alternative school
program which requires an order of a court as a precondition of placement in such alternative
school.
(b) A local board of education may contract with independent contractors to provide alternative
school facilities and other appropriate services consistent with T.C.A. §49-2-203(a)2).
(c) A local board of education may establish its own facility.
(d) Two or more boards may join together and establish an alternative school attended by students
from any such system.
(e) Through a mutually accepted agreement with another local board of education, a board may
send its suspended or expelled students to an alternative school already existing in another
school system.
November, 2000 (Revised) 12
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 0520-1-2
(Rule 0520-1-2-.09, continued)
Authority: T.C.A. §49-6-3402; Public Chapter 535 of the Acts of the 97th General Assembly, Section 41.
Administrative History: Original rule certified June 10, 1974. Amendment filed February 28, 1978; effective
March 30, 1978. Amendment filed January 9, 1979; effective February 23, 1979. Amendment filed April 14, 1980;
effective May 28, 1980. Amendment filed June 28, 1984; effective September 11, 1984. Amendment filed January 2,
1986; effective April 15, 1986. Amendment filed May 28, 1986; effective June 27, 1986. Amendment filed April 24,
1987; effective June 8, 1987. Repeal and new rule filed March 16, 1992; effective June 29, 1992. Amendment filed
June 24, 1992; effective September 28, 1992. Amendment filed April 18, 1997; effective August 28, 1997.
Amendment filed April 27, 1998; effective August 28, 1998.
0520-1-2-.10 HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION FOR PREGNANT STUDENTS.
(1) The homebound instruction program for pregnant students shall consist of three hours of instruction per
week for a period of six weeks, plus extensions authorized herein, to be provided by the school system
to the student in the home, in a hospital, or in other locations approved by the local school system.
(2) Personnel providing the homebound instruction to pregnant students shall hold a valid Tennessee
teacher license.
(3) The student's physician shall recommend in writing the six-week period for which the student shall be
eligible for homebound instruction.
(4) A homebound instruction program for longer than the six-week period shall only be provided to a
student who is certified in writing by her physician as having health complications arising from a
pregnancy that, in her physician's judgement, prevent her from returning to regular classes.
Recertification must be obtained every two weeks for the program of homebound instruction to be
continued beyond the six-week period.
(5) Students with health complications arising from pregnancy and for whom funds are generated under
this program shall not be counted as health impaired for purposes of generating special education
funds.
(6) Pregnant students receiving homebound instruction shall not be counted absent from school and shall
be included in all computations for purposes of generating state school funds.
Authority: T.C.A. §§49-10-1101; 49-10-1102 and 49-10-1103. Administrative History: Original rule certified
June 10, 1974. Amendment filed June 10, 1974; effective July 10, 1974. Amendment filed June 30, 1975; effective
July 30, 1975. Amendment filed July 15, 1976; effective August 16, 1976. Amendment filed February 28, 1978;
effective March 30, 1978. Amendment filed January 9, 1979; effective February 23, 1979. Repeal and new rule
filed March 16, 1992; effective June 29, 1992.
0520-1-2-.11 SCHOOL BOARD TRAINING.
(1) Every member of a local board of education shall participate annually in seven hours of training
provided by the School Board Academy.
(2) The School Board Academy shall be administered by the State Department of Education.
(3) The annual program of the School Board Academy will consist of modules approved by the State
Board of Education. The Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) shall develop and conduct the
majority of the approved modules.
(4) A School Board Academy Advisory Committee shall be established by the State Board of Education.
The Advisory Committee will be responsible for evaluating academy programs. The Advisory
Committee will also be responsible for recommending an annual program plan for the academy prior to
November, 2000 (Revised) 13
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 0520-1-2
(Rule 0520-1-2-.11, continued)
the beginning of each school year for approval by the State Board of Education. The Advisory
Committee will include the Executive Director and the President of the Tennessee School Boards
Association, a member of the State Board of Education, the President of the Tennessee Organization of
School Superintendents, and the Commissioner of Education or his designee. It will also include
others appointed by the State Board of Education for terms designated by the State Board of Education.
Authority: T.C.A. §49-2-202(a)(5). Administrative History: Original rule certified June 10, 1974. Amendment
filed June 10, 1974; effective July 10, 1974. Amendment filed June 30, 1975; effective July 30, 1975. Amendment
filed July 15, 1976; effective August 16, 1976. Amendment filed February 28, 1978; effective March 30, 1978.
Amendment filed January 9, 1979; effective February 23, 1979. Amendment and new rule filed October 15, 1979;
effective January 8, 1980. Amendment filed April 14, 1980; effective May 28, 1980. Amendment filed November
13, 1981; effective January 20, 1982. Amendment filed January 2, 1986; effective April 15, 1986. Amendment filed
May 23, 1986; effective June 27, 1986. Repeal and new rule filed March 16, 1992; effective June 29, 1992.
0520-1-2-.12 WAIVERS.
(1) The Commissioner of Education is authorized to grant waivers to a school which does not comply with
these rules and regulations only when requested by action of the local board of education.
(2) For limitation on the Commissioner's authority to waive rules and regulations, see T.C.A. §49-1-203.
Authority: T.C.A. §49-1-203. Administrative History: Original rule certified June 10, 1974. Amendment filed
June 30, 1975; effective July 30, 1975. Amendment filed February 28, 1978; effective March 30, 1978. Amendment
filed January 9, 1979; effective February 23, 1979. Amendment filed April 14, 1980; effective May 28, 1980.
Amendment filed April 12, 1983; effective May 12, 1983. Amendment filed June 27, 1984; effective July 27, 1984.
Amendment filed June 28, 1984; effective September 11, 1984. Amendment filed May 28, 1986; effective June 27,
1986. Amendment filed October 15, 1986; effective January 27, 1987. Amendment filed July 21, 1988; effective
October 29, 1988. Repeal and new rule filed March 16, 1992; effective June 29, 1992.
0520-1-2-.13 FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS.
(1) Data Collection
(a) The Commissioner of Education shall prescribe a system of school fiscal accounting for all
school systems which ensures that the expenditure of funds is properly accounted for and
safeguarded in accordance with current law and State Board of Education rules, regulations, and
minimum standards. The Commissioner shall require such reports from school systems as are
required by federal or state law, State Board of Education rules, or as are otherwise necessary
for ensuring fiscal accountability standards.
(b) To ensure proper financial reporting of revenue and expenditures for all public school purposes,
the system of school fiscal accounting shall include a standard chart of accounts and audit
procedures. The standard chart of accounts shall be the basis for the Annual Public School
Budget Document, which shall contain the account codes necessary to ensure the capability for
meaningful comparisons of school systems. At a minimum, the Budget Document shall include
separate account codes for all classroom and non-classroom components of the Basic Education
Program (BEP), or for accounts which may be compiled into BEP components, and sufficient
revenue account codes to differentiate between federal, state and local revenue.
(c) The report of actual expenditures shall be the Annual Public School Financial Report and shall
include sufficient information to allow a system by system comparison of budgeted and actual
expenditures for BEP funding within the classroom and non-classroom areas. The Financial
Report shall, at a minimum, contain account codes identifiable as BEP program components, or
November, 2000 (Revised) 14
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 0520-1-2
(Rule 0520-1-2-.13, continued)
accounts which may be compiled into BEP components, and shall differentiate between federal,
state and local revenue when reporting actual revenue for the prior year and estimated revenue
for budget purposes.
(d) When implemented, the student management information system application of the Tennessee
Education Network (TEN) shall provide consistent and accurate student information required for
the distribution of funds and for evaluating the effectiveness of the BEP and other program
objectives. Among other items, the TEN student management system shall provide net
enrollment, membership, and attendance by grade and program. The TEN shall also report the
grade and program of each student in state custody and the duration of such custody.
(e) The financial management application of the TEN shall provide consistent and accurate financial
information maintained in accordance with the chart of accounts developed by the Department
of Education. The TEN shall also provide the financial information required for the State Board
of Education to set policies for the fair and equitable distribution and use of public funds and to
monitor the distribution and expenditure of those funds.
(f) The TEN shall provide sufficient financial data to ascertain that all expenditures of education
funds are properly accounted for in accordance with current law and State Board of Education
rules, regulations, and minimum standards, and to make comparisons on a school and system
basis.
(g) The Department of Education shall establish procedures for collecting and verifying average
daily memberships for use in determining BEP entitlements. These procedures will provide for
collecting and verifying the first three months' average daily memberships for purposes of
development of the State Board of Education Annual Funding Needs Report and budget
information for the Department of Finance and Administration, the General Assembly, and
school systems.
(2) Reports & Documents
(a) Within thirty (30) days of the beginning of each school year, each school system shall submit to
the Commissioner of Education, on a form provided by the Department of Education, a complete
and certified copy of its entire school budget for the current year.
(b) On or before August 1 of each year, each school system shall submit to the Commissioner a
correct and accurate financial report of public school revenues and expenditures for the school
year ending on June 30. The Commissioner of Education shall require such reports and maintain
such documents as will allow a comparison of BEP allocations with actual expenditures for each
school system.
(c) The Commissioner shall provide to the State Board of Education on or before October 1 of each
year a report of ADM for each school system for the previous school year.
(d) The Department of Education shall prepare and the State Board of Education shall approve
estimated BEP allocations for each school system no less than 90 days prior to the beginning of
the fiscal year.
(e) Modifications, revisions, or corrections to estimated BEP payments to LEAs will be made by the
Department of Education and approved by the State Board of Education.
(3) Review and Verification
November, 2000 (Revised) 15
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 0520-1-2
(Rule 0520-1-2-.13, continued)
(a) The budget submitted by each school system will be reviewed by the Department of Education
to ensure that state funds are not being used to supplant local funds and that each school system
has appropriated funds sufficient to fund its local share of the BEP.
(b) Revenue derived from local sources must equal or exceed prior year actual revenues - excluding
capital outlay and debt service, and adjusted for decline in average daily membership (ADM).
(c) The Department of Education shall verify that BEP funds are being budgeted for eligible
expenses and that BEP funds earned in the classroom components, as defined by the State Board
of Education, are budgeted for use in the classroom. The Commissioner shall advise the State
Board of Education of all systems which fail to meet these minimum standards.
(d) Each school system shall provide to the Commissioner of Education or a designated
representative copies of all school system related audit reports, including those made by
governmental or independent public accountants.
(e) The Department of Education shall conduct review and follow-up procedures to ensure that
audit exceptions are evaluated and appropriate actions are taken. The Commissioner shall notify
the State Board of Education of any material and significant findings which reflect on the ability
of the LEA to provide a quality education or which indicate that progress toward satisfactory
resolution is not being made.
(4) Audit
(a) An Internal Audit Section will be maintained in the Department of Education for the purpose of
testing and evaluating school system administrative and accounting controls, compliance, and
financial and program accountability for state and federally funded programs, and for
compliance with State Board of Education rules, regulations, and minimum standards. The
Internal Audit Section shall make such full and limited scope audits as it deems necessary under
the circumstances, and special audits as requested by responsible government officials. The
audits will be performed in accordance with standards for the professional practice of internal
auditing and with generally accepted governmental auditing standards.
(b) To provide reasonable assurance that attendance and financial reports are reliable and accurate,
the Internal Audit Section shall conduct audit procedures for the review and testing of the
attendance accounting system. The Internal Audit Section shall review such programs as
necessary to provide reasonable assurance that funds are properly accounted for and safeguarded
in accordance with current law, applicable federal standards, and State Board of Education rules,
regulations, and minimum standards. Audits shall include evaluating program objectives, grant
performance and accountability to determine that each LEA has a system in place to ensure
compliance with program regulations and guidelines.
(c) The Commissioner of Education shall be advised of all audits, including a summary of the scope
of the audit, the findings, recommendations, management comments, and conclusions including
a determination as to the adequacy of corrective action planned or implemented. The State
Board of Education, Superintendent, and representatives of the Comptroller's Office shall be
provided copies of all audits conducted.
Authority: T.C.A. §§49-1-20; 49-1-210 and 49-1-302. Administrative History: Original rule filed November 3,
1993; effective March 30, 1994. Amendment filed June 30, 1995; effective October 27, 1995.
November, 2000 (Revised) 16
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 0520-1-2
0520-1-2-.14 RECRUITMENT, EMPLOYMENT, AND RETENTION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN
TEACHERS.
(1) Each local board of education is encouraged to establish reasonable, incremental goals for the
recruitment, employment, and retention of African-American teachers which at least reflect the
percentage of African-Americans within the community served by the local school system.
(2) Each local board of education is urged to develop and implement a plan of action for attaining such
goals and is urged to file a copy of the plan with the Commissioner of Education for evaluation and
approval.
(3) Each local board of education is urged to file periodic progress reports with the Commissioner of
Education to indicate the level of success in attaining such goals.
Authority: T.C.A. §§49-1-302(i); 49-1-209 and 49-1-210. Administrative History: Original rule filed January 31,
1995; effective May 31, 1995. Amendment filed August 7, 1995; effective December 29, 1995.
0520-1-2-.15 APPROVAL OF TEXTBOOKS.
After January 1, 1996, no newly adopted bound print textbook shall be approved by the State Board of Education
unless the publisher has committed in writing to furnish to the State Department of Education, the American Printing
House for the Blind, or a national repository, within 60 days of receipt of a request, electronic computer text files
from which applicable Braille versions of the textbook may be produced.
Authority: T.C.A. §§49-1-302(a) and 49-6-2202(c). Administrative History: Original rule filed January 31, 1995;
effective May 31, 1995. Amendment filed August 7, 1995; effective December 29, 1995.
0520-1-2-.16 REPORTING ATTENDANCE RELATIVE TO DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
(1) For the purposes of recording and coding student absences from school because of disciplinary actions,
the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "Suspension" shall be defined as dismissal from attendance at school for any reason not more
than ten (10) consecutive days. The student on suspension shall be included in ADM and will
continue to be counted for funding purposes. Multiple suspensions shall not run consecutively
nor shall multiple suspensions be applied to avoid expulsion from school.
(b) "Remand" shall be defined as assignment to an alternative school. The student so assigned shall
be included in ADA/ADM and will continue to be counted as present for funding purposes. The
State Department of Education shall establish a set of codes to be used for reporting reasons for
students on remand to an alternative school.
(c) "Expulsion" shall be defined as removal from attendance for more than ten (10) consecutive
days or more than fifteen (15) days in a month of school attendance. Multiple suspensions that
occur consecutively shall constitute expulsion. The school district shall not be eligible to
receive funding for an expelled student.
(2) Students who qualify for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C
1400, et seq., and 34 C.F.R. 300 et seq., may be suspended, remanded, or expelled only within the
provisions of said acts. Removals from school for students receiving services under the act shall not be
applied in such a manner so as to constitute a pattern of exclusion of the student nor shall any change of
placement occur absent the application of procedural safeguards as defined in the act.
November, 2000 (Revised) 17
ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS CHAPTER 0520-1-2
(Rule 0520-1-2-.16, continued)
(3) The parents or legal guardians of students who are suspended or expelled in accordance with the
provisions of T.C.A. 49-6-3401 shall receive notices provided for therein.
Authority: TCA § 49-1-302 and TCA § 49-6-3401. Administrative History: Original rule filed April 28, 2000;
effective August 28, 2000.
0502-1-2-.17 THROUGH 0520-1-2-.29 REPEALED.
Authority: T.C.A. §49-1-203. Administrative History: (For history prior to June, 1992, see pages iii through ix)
Repeal filed March 16, 1992; effective June 29, 1992.
November, 2000 (Revised) 18
