TISA RULEMAKING: Help decide how the new funding formula will work for students with disabilities. What is Tennessee’s new education funding formula, known as TISA? TISA – the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act – is Tennessee’s new public school funding formula. Because of a new law passed in April 2022, TISA replaces the “Basic Education Plan” (BEP) formula used in Tennessee for the past 30 years. What has changed with TISA? The new formula changes how Tennessee public schools are funded by moving from a “resource-based” to a “weighted” funding formula. Weighted funding formulas assign higher levels of funding for students who have educational needs that may cost more to meet. Weighted funding formulas are used in 39 other states. Previously, the resource-based formula assigned funds based on set student-staff ratios and attendance. This type of formula does not consider as many specific student needs. Resource-based formulas are used in only 8 other states. What’s happening now with TISA rulemaking and public input? The Tennessee Department of Education has released a DRAFT of the rules for how TISA will be put into practice. The public can comment on the draft rules until August 2, 2022. This is your chance to help shape education funding! The framework of TISA was put into state code by the law the state legislature passed this year. (We’ll share more about that process.) The law says that the Department of Education will set the rules for how TISA is put into practice through “rule-making.” What is rule-making? Rule-making is how the details of a new law, such as TISA, are proposed to the public. The public then has an opportunity to comment on the details. Tennessee’s “sunshine laws” require state departments to publicly respond to the comments. That response might include changing the details of how the new law is put into practice. How do I prepare for public comment? This is the first of a series that will explain the new funding formula and what’s still being decided. New information will be posted to the Tennessee Disability Coalition’s website as it’s released. Link: www.tndisability.org/article/tisa-101-part-1-what-tisa Tune in to the Tennessee Disability Coalition’s Facebook Live on 6/29 at 2pm CST for discussion and Q&A. Take a few minutes to understand what’s in the new rules. (More information to follow!) Send your feedback, including any changes you’d like to see, to: Tisa.Rules@tn.gov by August 2, 2022.