Tennessee § 49-6-1030 - Teaching scientific subjects in public schools.

§ 49-6-1030. Teaching scientific subjects in public schools.

The state board of education, public elementary and secondary school governing authorities, directors of schools, school system administrators, and public elementary and secondary school principals and administrators shall endeavor to create an environment within public elementary and secondary schools that encourages students to explore scientific questions, learn about scientific evidence, develop critical thinking skills, and respond appropriately and respectfully to differences of opinion about scientific subjects required to be taught under the standards developed by the state board of education. The state board of education, public elementary and secondary school governing authorities, directors of schools, school system administrators, and public elementary and secondary school principals and administrators shall endeavor to assist teachers to find effective ways to present the science curriculum taught under the standards developed by the state board of education as it addresses scientific subjects that may cause debate and disputation. Neither the state board of education, nor any public elementary or secondary school governing authority, director of schools, school system administrators, or any public elementary or secondary school principal or administrators shall prohibit any teacher in a public school system of this state from helping students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories covered in the course being taught within the standards developed by the state board of education. This section only protects the teaching of scientific information, and shall not be construed to promote any religious or nonreligious doctrine, promote discrimination for or against a particular set of religious beliefs or nonbeliefs, or promote discrimination for or against religion or nonreligion. Acts 2012, ch. 670, § 1; 2016, ch. 999, § 9. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2012, ch. 670, § 2 provided that by no later than the start of the 2012-2013 school term, the department of education shall notify all directors of schools of the provisions of this section. Each director shall notify all employees within the director's school system of the provisions of this section.