In early October, Governor Bill Lee and Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced a 90-day stakeholder engagement effort to solicit input on possible reforms to the state's education funding formula, the BEP. Governor Lee and Commissioner Schwinn announced 8 community engagement town halls and 18 subcommittees to evaluate potential reforms in advance of making any changes. Tennessee Disability Coalition has been invited to sit on the Special Populations and Gifted Education subcommittee and plans to advocate vigorously on behalf of Tennessee students with disabilities. The following statement outlines some of our priorities in this process:
October 28th, 2021: “Tennessee welcomes large and diverse businesses with open arms, providing lucrative incentives that bolster our strong economy with thousands of new jobs -and new people- from across the country. But what happens after? As our state consistently ranks near the bottom of national education rankings, spending, and outcomes – employers need assurances their employees will have access to a quality public education for their families.
Tennessee Disability Coalition applauds Governor Bill Lee and Commissioner Penny Schwinn’s commitment to reforming Tennessee’s Basic Education Plan (BEP). Achievement outcomes for Tennessee students have long confirmed that the BEP fails to meet the needs of Tennessee public school students, as well as the communities they serve. We look forward to engaging with Governor Lee, Commissioner Schwinn and our fellow Tennesseans to craft a modern, transparent and comprehensible public school funding model that accounts for the wide array of varied student needs and prioritizes improving outcomes for every student.
Created nearly 30 years ago, the BEP simply does not meet the contemporary needs of Tennessee public schools. Reforming the BEP is especially necessary for the students that the BEP has left behind: students with disabilities.
Many families that currently live in Tennessee, or move to Tennessee, and experience disability will attest: the healthcare, education, services, and supports they’ve seen or experienced elsewhere may not be found here. We know this, because our agency fields countless calls from out-of-state families inquiring about relocation, and what they can expect. We explain that most Tennessee public schools may not be able to offer the same support and services compared to those in other states.
It is imperative that reforms to Tennessee’s education funding model account for, and elevate, the needs of students with disabilities and their families. As those most impacted, parents of students with disabilities have long been some of our state’s most vocal and effective advocates for individualized and equitable education. It is important their voices are included and meaningfully considered by the administration. These voices are increasingly vital to the success of BEP reform not just now, but throughout implementation and as we evaluate the ramifications of the changes that have been made.
When we elevate the needs of students with disabilities, our schools are better able to account for the distinct, individual needs of every public school student. In doing so, we not only improve our public schools, but we also prevent dissuading large and diverse businesses from coming to Tennessee. Funding reforms should focus on the diversity of individual student need, and equal access to a quality public education and financial transparency, ensuring Tennessee’s economic prosperity for generations." - Tom Jedlowski, Director of Communications & Technology
To provide input on the BEP reform effort, you may email tnedu.funding@tn.gov with your comment
For more information, please don't hesitate to reach out Coordinator of Government and External Affairs, Jeff Strand, at jeff_s@tndisability.org