Amends TCA Title 49.

This bill requires the office of research and education accountability (OREA), in the office of the comptroller of the treasury, to study, in collaboration with the department of education, the Tennessee student assistance corporation, the department of labor and workforce development, and the department of human services:<br /> <br /> (1) The number of Title I public high schools that offer driver education courses to students, and of that number, the average cost to each Title I public high school of providing a driver education course to students;<br /> <br /> (2) The affordability of driver education provided by private companies;<br /> <br /> (3) The benefits of students receiving driver education courses in high school, including safety benefits and any insurance savings;<br /> <br /> (4) The effectiveness of driver education in reducing auto accidents involving teen drivers and in reducing teen motor vehicle fatalities;<br /> <br /> (5) The possibility of using a dual enrollment grant to cover all or a portion of the cost of a driver education class for students in Title I public high schools, if community colleges were to offer driver education; and<br /> <br /> (6) Sources of funding to provide driver education to students in Title I public high schools at low or no cost. <br /> <br /> This bill requires OREA to report, by January 15, 2022, the findings and conclusions of the study to the education committee of the senate and the education administration committee of the house of representatives.<br /> <br /> ON APRIL 11, 2022, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1508, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 changes the reporting deadline from January 15, 2022, to January 15, 2023.<br />