Tennessee Senate Bill SB0426

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 3, relative to the Tennessee investment in student achievement formula.

Impact

If enacted, the bill will modify existing educational funding laws that govern how financial resources are allocated among LEAs in Tennessee. By shifting the allocation formula to benefit LEAs with fewer students, the bill is designed to ensure that smaller school districts receive adequate funding proportional to their student populations. This approach seeks to promote equity in the distribution of state funds for education, allowing smaller districts to maintain and improve their educational offerings despite potentially lower tax revenues.

Summary

Senate Bill 0426 aims to amend various components of the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement formula. The bill proposes an increase in the weighted allocation for certain Local Education Agencies (LEAs), specifically adjusting the allocation percentages based on student enrollment numbers. This change intends to provide additional funding to smaller LEAs, thereby enhancing their ability to support student programs and educational resources.

Conclusion

Overall, SB0426 represents a legislative effort to refine Tennessee's approach to educational funding to better meet the needs of diverse school districts across the state. The potential shift in allocation strategies reflects ongoing discussions about how to effectively support various educational environments and uphold the quality of education for all Tennessee students.

Contention

While the bill's intent is to promote equity among Tennessee's school districts, it may face scrutiny regarding the long-term financial implications for the overall education budget. Discussions surrounding SB0426 may highlight concerns from larger districts that perceive the adjustments as detracting from their own funding. Stakeholders will likely debate the balance between supporting smaller districts while ensuring that larger districts do not suffer adverse consequences from redistribution of funds.