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Lawrence County Schools outlines targets to meet Tennessee’s new TISA funding formula
Summary
Lawrence County School System presenters described how the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) differs from the older BEP formula and announced district targets — including 70% third-grade ELA proficiency by 2030 — and supports such as RTI2 coordinators, tutoring and STEM staffing.
Presenters for the Lawrence County School System on March 1 explained how the new Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement, or TISA, will change how the state calculates school funding and laid out district targets and supports intended to align local practice with the formula. "TISA stands for the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement," a presenter said, and the system "significantly changes the funding formula on how Tennessee invests in public education."
The presenters contrasted TISA with the Basic Education Program, or BEP, saying BEP had been calculated on itemized resources and enrollment while TISA is calculated on a per-student basis using enrollment and students' identified learning needs. They emphasized that TISA is a funding formula, not a spending plan. "TISA, like BEP, is a funding formula, not a spending plan," one presenter said.
Lawrence County School System outlined three district goals tied to the new formula: 70% of students proficient in third-grade English language arts (ELA) TCAP by 2030; 51% proficiency in math for grades 3–8 by 2028; and 80% of graduates designated "ready graduates" by the Tennessee Department of Education by 2028. To reach those targets, presenters said the district will pursue a package of supports, including high-quality K–2 curriculum, mastery-focused instruction, lower student-to-teacher ratios, targeted tutoring for at-risk or retained students, RTI2 coordinators at each elementary school, summer learning programs and expanded pre-K opportunities for economically disadvantaged families.
Presenters also described investments to support secondary readiness and career pathways: funding for early postsecondary student opportunities (EPSOs), dual enrollment and dual credit programs, CLEP and AP testing, industry certifications, ACT preparation resources, a district STEM coordinator to oversee K–12 STEM activities (robotics, drones, virtual reality, 3-D printing and CAD), and career coaches at all three high schools. "LCSS is proud to propose our plan and work with our community to help all of our students," a presenter said.
The district invited public feedback on the proposed goals and implementation plan, providing an email contact (tisafunding@lcss.us) and setting a deadline of October 25 for comments. The presenters did not announce any formal votes or budget allocations in the session; they presented targets and proposed supports for community review.
