Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) over 30 years ago, the United States has made great strides toward creating a country inclusive of all its citizens. However, a great number of roadblocks still diminish opportunities for full inclusion for Americans with disabilities.

Last month, Governor Lee called on the Commissioners of state departments to present their 2023 budget requests and efficiency plans. As the uncertainty of state finances in the wake of expected Covid-19-related economic disruptions recedes further into the past, state budget hearings have somewhat returned to normalcy. In spring of 2020, Governor Lee asked state departments for their proposal to cut their spending by 12%.

On June 30th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to TennCare asking the state to make several changes to the TennCare III waiver. 

The proposed TennCare III waiver, commonly known as a “block grant”, significantly altered how Tennessee funded its Medicaid waiver programs. These changes had the potential to negatively impact Tennesseans with disabilities who received services and benefits from the state. 

The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act (TISA) was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Bill Lee on May 2nd, 2022. TISA is Tennessee’s new public-school funding formula, and replaces the 30-year old “Basic Education Plan” (BEP).

Download TISA 101 - Part 1: Rule-Making One-Pager PDF 

Download TISA 101 - Part 1: Rule-Making One-Pager Text Only 

Download TISA 101 - Part 2: How Does TISA Work? - PDF

Download TISA 101 - Part 2: How Does TISA Work? - Text Only

Download TISA 101 - Part 3: What do the TISA rules mean for students with disabilities? - PDF

Download TISA 101 - Part 4: Tips for Public Comment on TISA

Download TISA 101 - Part 4: Tips for Public Comment on TISA - Text Only

Download Tennessee Disability Coalition TISA Comment Here - PDF

Download Tennessee Disability Coalition TISA Comment Here - Text Only

Other resources:

**Submit your comment on the TEIS extended option to DIDD by June 10th by emailing carly.carlton@tn.gov**

As you may know, over the past several months, the Tennessee General Assembly has been considering a bill that would overhaul the state’s public school funding formula.

Nearly one in three Tennesseans lives with a disability. Some of these individuals need assistance with activities of daily living, others may need help with transportation and still others may need support for housing or employment. These types of support allow Tennesseans with disabilities to live in their communities, to be included in our society and to lead lives of their choice.

Governor Bill Lee gave the final Tennessee State of the State Address of his first term on Monday evening. Lee’s theme, “America at its Best,” celebrated 225 years of Tennessee statehood and marked a decidedly different tone than his 2021 address. With a budget surplus of $4 billion, about $60 billion in federal relief funds and a swelling rainy-day account, Governor Lee announced several big investments in the state. 

Tennessee uses a funding formula called the Basic Education Plan (BEP) to determine how much money each district and school gets for its operating costs. The BEP is outdated and complex, and contributes to poor outcomes for Tennessee students.

The state is currently in the process of planning a new public school funding formula. The new funding formula created by the state must be equitable and effective for all Tennessee students and schools.