Rep. William Slater Appointed to Key Education Task Forces

State Representative William Slater, R-Gallatin, has been appointed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, to serve on two pivotal education task forces: the Federal Education Deregulation Cooperation Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Innovations in K-12 Education.

 

“Tennessee children deserve the highest quality education, and Republicans are committed to finding innovative ways to improve academic outcomes,” said Slater, who chairs the House Education Administration Subcommittee. “These important task forces will ensure students and educators in the Volunteer State have the resources and support required to excel. I’m grateful to Speaker Sexton for his confidence in me and look forward to ensuring our state’s education system continues to work for all Tennesseans.”

 

The task forces will be instrumental in providing lawmakers with information and recommendations to improve Tennessee’s education system and ensure the state is prepared for federal changes to education ahead of the second session of the 114th General Assembly.

 

“Chairman Slater’s background in education and leadership makes him an ideal choice for these roles,” said Speaker Sexton. “He’ll bring valuable insight as we continue to work towards better outcomes for our students.”

 

The seven-member Federal Education Deregulation Cooperation Task Force, established by legislation sponsored by Slater this year, will ensure Tennessee can effectively respond to any potential deregulation or dismantling of the United States Department of Education. It will identify federal K-12 education funding, federal requirements for receiving funds, state resources needed to receive funds, and the number of positions paid by federal dollars. It will also consider whether programs or resources provided by federal funds should continue.

 

The task force will be required to submit policy recommendations to the General Assembly by January 2026.

 

The ten-member Advisory Committee on Innovations in K-12 Education will analyze changes to various education requirements and policies to improve outcomes for students and educators. It will assess principal and teacher evaluations, standardized testing, screening requirements for response to intervention (RTI) in schools, health coverage and compensation for educators, expanding teacher permits, and allowing CTE courses to substitute for graduation requirements.

 

The committee will develop strategies and suggestions to be reported to the General Assembly and the Tennessee Department of Education by January 2026.

 

Slater, a dean of Welch College in Gallatin and former headmaster of Hendersonville Christian Academy, began his terms upon appointment and will serve until December 31, 2025.

 

State Rep. William Slater represents House District 35, which includes Trousdale and part of Sumner counties. He is chairman of the Education Administration Subcommittee and also serves on the Education Committee, Insurance Committee, and K-12 Subcommittee.

 

In addition to his legislative duties, Slater has been actively involved in securing funding for educational initiatives in Sumner County. In June 2024, he secured $150,000 in state funding for Decisions, Choices and Options, a program providing abstinence education and sexual risk avoidance programs for youth in Middle Tennessee. “The choices we make when we are young often lay the foundation for the rest of our lives,” Slater said. “Age-appropriate sexual risk avoidance education is paramount to putting youth in our community on the right path. These funds will help provide students with accurate information to encourage them to practice abstinence and healthy decision-making.”

 

Slater’s commitment to education reform is evident in his legislative efforts. In March 2025, he proposed House Bill 958 to create a task force ensuring Tennessee can effectively respond to potential deregulation or dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. “The Trump administration has been clear in its intent to overhaul the American education system,” Slater said. “It’s imperative that Tennessee is not caught flat-footed when major federal reforms are enacted. A deregulation task force will ensure our state can seamlessly continue providing the highest quality education to students no matter what changes are taking place nationally.”

 

As Tennessee navigates potential federal education policy changes, Slater’s leadership in these task forces positions him at the forefront of shaping the state’s educational landscape, ensuring that students and educators in Sumner County and beyond have the resources and support needed to thrive.