Updated 3/20/20

Tennessee lawmakers approved the cancellation of TNReady testing requirements this school year in Giles County and other 96 counties after the closure of schools statewide to combat the novel coronavirus.

The proposal received widespread support in the House and Senate, passing unanimously. The bill also ensures schools, teachers and students are not held accountable for not taking the test.

The governor will need to sign the bill into law and the state will await word from the United States Department of Education if it has the approval to bypass federal accountability rules.

Lawmakers swiftly approved the bill out of committees on Wednesday, setting up a final vote on the House and Senate floor.

House Education Chairman Mark White said the bill will help alleviate the anxiety of statewide school cancellations.

The Senate passed the bill after little discussion.