The Tennessee Department of Education has released additional resources about the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) to explain how the proposed student-based public education funding formula meets each student’s needs, funds students for success, and encourages transparency and accountability.
Starting in the 2023-24 school year, the TISA would invest an estimated $9 billion in education funding for the state, including state and local funds, which would include an additional recurring state investment of $1 billion. The TISA is designed to empower each student to read proficiently by third grade, prepare each high school graduate for postsecondary success, and provide resources needed to all students to ensure they succeed.
“The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement would recognize and fund the needs of each individual Tennessee student while providing parents and families with detailed information on how their child is being funded through a student-based public school funding formula, which will put each student on a path to success and increase transparency in our education system,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn.
Many helpful resources are available at FundingforStudentSuccess.org including:
· Additional TISA By the Numbers: This PowerPoint provides a detailed breakdown of figures related to Tennessee education, the public engagement process and the proposed new student-based formula.
· Outcomes and Accountability: This overview provides details on how student-based funding encourages reporting and acknowledges student growth and improvement.
· Funding for Each Student’s Needs Video: Hear from members of the 18 funding review subcommittees on how the TISA will fund each student’s needs.
Last fall, Governor Lee announced the state would review its public school funding formula. The Tennessee Department of Education and the General Assembly convened 18 funding subcommittees, organized a legislative steering committee, and provided over 1,000 opportunities for the public to engage, including 16 public town halls and local match conversations across the state. This January, Gov. Lee and Commissioner Schwinn released a draft framework for the new student-based K-12 funding formula, which incorporated input from thousands of Tennesseans.
To learn more about student-based funding, Tennessee’s recent public engagement process and subcommittee recommendations, and to access additional resources, visit the department’s website.