FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2026
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AI in Schools / State report

Tennessee separates local AI policy and teacher-training deadlines

Districts and charter governing bodies needed AI-use policies by 2024–25. Specified grades 6–12 teachers need training by August 1, 2028, or within two years of licensure if later.

Published
Research as of · Sources & Notes

Current law or policy

State law and guidance

Tennessee Public Chapter 550 requires district boards and charter governing bodies to adopt AI-use policies for students, teachers and staff, implemented by the 2024-25 school year. A separate Public Chapter 1056 requires teachers of grades six through 12 to complete specified AI professional development by August 1, 2028, or within two years of licensure if later. Students and families need the existing local assignment rule; educators should check both it and their training timetable; leaders should not substitute a proposed student-literacy bill for enacted requirements. [27][25][31]

Which Tennessee requirement applies to which audience?

Tennessee sets separate deadlines for local policy and teacher training

Existing policy adoption and later teacher professional development have different subjects and dates.

Tennessee sets separate deadlines for local policy and teacher training. Existing policy adoption and later teacher professional development have different subjects and dates. Public Chapter 550. Audience: Students, teachers and staff. Requirement: District boards and charter governing bodies adopt AI-use policies. Timing: Implemented by the 2024-25 school year. Evidence state: operative. Public Chapter 1056. Audience: Teachers of grades 6–12. Requirement: Complete the specified AI professional development. Timing: By August 1, 2028, or within two years of licensure if later. Evidence state: enacted future deadline.

Tennessee sets separate deadlines for local policy and teacher training. Compare each item across the listed dimensions.
Jurisdiction or itemAudienceRequirementTiming
Public Chapter 550Current law or policy
Source notes

Source notes [27]

Students, teachers and staffDistrict boards and charter governing bodies adopt AI-use policies.Implemented by the 2024-25 school year.
Public Chapter 1056Enacted law · future deadline
Source notes

Source notes [25]

Teachers of grades 6–12Complete the specified AI professional development.By August 1, 2028, or within two years of licensure if later.
Formative Spaces

AI in Schools research · As of
Sources [25][27]

View data and source notes
Tennessee sets separate deadlines for local policy and teacher training: underlying values
ItemAudienceRequirementTimingStatusSources
Public Chapter 550Students, teachers and staffDistrict boards and charter governing bodies adopt AI-use policies.Implemented by the 2024-25 school year.operative[27]
Public Chapter 1056Teachers of grades 6–12Complete the specified AI professional development.By August 1, 2028, or within two years of licensure if later.enacted_future_deadline[25]

Sources & Notes

This report reflects research as of October 6, 2026. Reference numbers link to the cited publications.

The August tracker counts describe its historical snapshot. The reviewed policy database has a separate scope and release date. Neither is a census of classroom AI use.

  1. f / Jpublications.tnsosfiles.com
  2. Slniepublications.tnsosfiles.com
  3. Bill Information - Tennessee General Assemblywapp.capitol.tn.gov

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