Each school year presents another opportunity for students to make lifelong friends, acquire new skills, and be inspired by various subjects and career paths.
This period can be exciting for some and nerve-wracking for others. As a state lawmaker, father and concerned citizen, I hope the laws and policies the Tennessee General Assembly passes give parents confidence and empower all students to thrive.
Republicans this year worked hard to improve academic outcomes and proactively find innovative ways to enhance Tennessee’s education system.
I’ve spoken with families in our community who are excited about one major change this school year: More recess time for students. I was excited to spearhead the legislation that made this a reality because I know more recess means better concentration in the classroom, healthier students and higher success rates.
The new law requires all school districts to provide at least 40 minutes of unstructured recess to elementary students each day. Previously, the state only mandated 15 minutes per day and 130 minutes a week. Expanding recess can enhance attention spans, boost social and emotional development and reduce disruptive classroom behavior, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Importantly, it will also help children become more active. A report from the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Department of Education revealed that more than 40% of Tennessee students were overweight or obese in the 2022-23 academic year.
Additional time for physical activity will promote healthier lifestyles at an integral time in a child’s life. It will also allow them the mental break and socialization time they need during the school day. I’m eager to hear feedback from Maury County teachers, students and parents on this policy’s efficacy.
Another new measure that benefits students in the classroom is a prohibition on cell phones and electronic devices during instructional time. Districts with these policies already in place have reported significant successes, and I’m confident we will see the same result across the state.
Time and again, I’ve heard from educators and administrators how disruptive devices can be. This bipartisan law addresses these concerns so that students receive the uninterrupted instruction they deserve.
Republican lawmakers in January passed landmark legislation ensuring all children in Tennessee have access to the school of their choice. The Education Freedom Act of 2025 allocated 20,000 scholarships, worth more than $7,000 each, for students to attend a school that best fits their needs.
This historic new law rejects the outdated system in which income and zip code determine where a child attends school. Instead, these scholarships empower families and prioritize students by recognizing that everyone thrives in different learning environments.
The GOP supermajority also invested heavily in our state’s public education system, approving nearly $200 million for one-time teacher bonuses, $96 million for pay raises and $148 million for Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement formula growth.
Since 2012, Republicans have allocated more than $4.4 billion to public education, including the largest teacher pay increase in history last year. By 2026, the minimum starting pay for teachers will be $50,000, making Tennessee one of the most competitive states in the nation to attract even more quality educators.
To further these efforts, I passed a new law this session commissioning a study to identify best practices for teacher evaluations. These must be fair, research-based and effective, and this analysis will help ensure we give teachers the support and resources required to succeed in educating the next generation.
Recent test results have shown that Tennessee’s education system is on the right path. The laws passed this year will play a pivotal role in building on these successes. I join my Republican colleagues in remaining committed to boosting student achievement, empowering families and supporting teachers.
State Rep. Scott Cepicky represents District 64 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Maury County. He is chairman of the Education Instruction Subcommittee.