Susan Fox

The webinar discusses the 2019-20 district planning cycle, comparing the former design of the planning tool with the new Inform Tennessee tool. It focuses on collaborative, in-depth planning, enabling districts to share information with stakeholders cohesively. The tool offers features such as an informative dashboard, data on comparable districts, insights, and communication tools for the planning team. It supports data-driven decision-making to improve student outcomes by diving into climate, access, educators, academic achievement, growth, and college/career readiness.

The subcommittee meeting addressed the need for feedback on excel spreadsheets regarding must-haves, should-haves, and maybes. There was a discussion on the finalized supports and services, specifically the areas of funding for the student-based funding formula, base weights, outcomes, and direct funding. The importance of identifying legal requirements and federal mandates within the must-haves was emphasized. The base points of discussion included local needs, rural access, and technology for students.

The subcommittee meeting included discussions about the state's formula for public funding of public education. Members introduced themselves, their organizations, and the communities they represent. They expressed their expectations for the process, including exploring how to secure and formalize partnerships with community schools, ensuring equity for underserved youth, and contributing to a new funding formula. The importance of the link between health and education was also highlighted.

The Tennessee Department of Education held a public rulemaking hearing to gather stakeholder feedback on the proposed rules for the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act (TISA). The hearing included discussions on transparency in TISA data collection and reporting, funding adequacy and equity, the importance of educator voice, and understanding new policy implementations. Concerns were raised about the allocation of funding for English learners and students with disabilities, the need for consistent educator input, and the adequacy of state financial commitment to educators.

The Textbook Commission held a workshop to discuss several agenda items, including the district pilot policy, mathematics adoption schedule, advisory panelist selection, and mathematics adoption advisory planning training. The commission discussed a district pilot policy, emphasizing the importance of notifying all districts about the policy and the potential consequences of violations. They also touched on the use of unapproved books and instructional materials, as well as common core textbooks or materials. The commission explored the possibility of requesting assistance from the Tennessee State Department of Education to push out notifications about these policies to all districts.