Local Education Agencies - As introduced, adds sixth grade to the grade levels for which a local board of education is required to establish an alternative school for students who have been suspended or expelled from the regular school program; requires a student in sixth grade who has been suspended for more than 10 days or expelled from the regular school program to attend an alternative school if there is space and staff available, with certain exceptions. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6.

SB 1494 amends Tennessee law to require local school districts to establish alternative schools for students suspended for more than 10 days or expelled in grades 1-5 and 6-12. This changes the previous requirement (which included grades 1-6 for lower grades) by moving sixth grade into the upper grade category (6-12), explicitly requiring that sixth grade students facing such disciplinary actions attend an alternative school if space and staff are available. The bill directly affects Tennessee school districts and sixth grade students who receive suspensions exceeding 10 days or expulsions. It makes no changes to suspension policies but reclassifies grade levels for alternative school requirements.