Tennessee is planning to switch its current public education funding formula to a more widely used per-pupil plan, a model currently used in 39 states.
The Tennessee Department of Education plans to release details of its policy recommendations in mid-January.
Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn laid out the timetable in a meeting with legislators on Tuesday. She says the new approach will make it easier to see how much education cost for each student.
“This about making sure that, when dollars are invested, there is a formula that leads toward strong outcomes for students, and really ensures that people know where those dollars are going, where those dollars are being spent, and what outcomes were produced from those dollars,” said Schwinn.
There have been several town halls held in rural and urban areas of Tennessee to gather public input on the state’s education funding. Governor Bill Lee vowed to change the current formula to something more nuanced.
The Lee administration is planning for lawmakers to vote on a change during the upcoming legislative session, but it won’t be implemented till a later date.
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