More recess, curriculum teaching marriage before kids coming to TN schools

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Bills surrounding education were discussed heavily during the 2025 legislative session in Tennessee.

That included a special session called on by Gov. Bill Lee to get his voucher program passed.

However, during the regular session, other education laws were passed, like restricting cell phones in schools, employers/schools could be sued for using preferred names and genders, along with more recess time being allocated for students, and the addition of a curriculum to teach a success sequence to students.

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• Success Sequence Act: The bill aims to teach a success sequence to students, which includes finishing high school, then getting a job or moving to higher education, getting married, and then having children.

This act requires that a family life curriculum be added to public schools to teach the positive personal and societal outcomes of graduating high school, getting a job or seeking higher education, getting married, and then having children. State law does allow for parents to opt their children out of this curriculum.

• Recess: Increases recess time for elementary school students.

This new law requires a minimum of 40 minutes of physical activity per school day. Originally, the bill required 60 minutes at a minimum, but was amended to require only 40. It also states that a student may not be withheld from participating in physical activity as a form of punishment.

“This bill establishes that physical activity can be walking, jumping rope, playing volleyball, or other forms of physical activity that promote fitness and well-being. Physical activity must include unstructured play outside, unless weather conditions negatively impact the reasonable execution of physical activity outside. However, physical activity does not include walking to and from class, time when a student is permitted to use an electronic device, or time spent by a student in a physical education class,” the bill reads.

The above new laws take effect on July 1.

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