to postsecondary needs. In October 2015, the higher
education review found that high school TNReady
assessments could serve as accurate indicators of
naturalized citizens. Students must answer 70
student readiness for postsecondary education.
percent of questions correctly in order to pass and
may take the test as many times as necessary.72
Legislative Efforts. During the 2015 legislative
session, there were a number of attempts to
Assessment Task Force. In March 2015,
further delay the implementation of the TNReady
Commissioner of Education Candice McQueen
assessment and prohibit the implementation of
announced the formation of the Tennessee Task
other assessments such as ACT or assessments in
Force on Student Testing and Assessment. The
kindergarten, first, and second grade. These bills were
purpose of the task force was to identify best
debated and eventually voted down in the House
practices in testing and to examine how school-level
Education Instruction and Programs Subcommittee.71
assessments align with required state tests. Task
force members included teachers, school and district
Senate Bill 10/House Bill 10, which was enacted,
leaders, state-level education leaders, parents,
requires that students pass a civics test in order
one high school student, and other education
to receive a high school diploma. The test will be
stakeholders.73
constructed by school districts using questions from
the test United States Citizenship and Immigration
Concern about the issue of over-testing served
Services administers to people seeking to become
as a primary motivation for establishing the task
26