STATE FUNDING GUIDE

Tennessee

The Tennessee Literacy Success Act requires foundational-skills reading instruction, K-3 universal screening three times a year, and district Foundational Literacy Skills Plans filed with TDOE. Ongoing state money for intervention flows through the TISA funding formula, which includes direct-funding allocations earmarked for K-3 literacy and grade 4 literacy supports on top of base and weighted funding. The state’s Reading 360 initiative supplies screeners, decodables, and training at no cost to districts, though its original funding came from one-time federal relief dollars, so districts should confirm current grant cycles with TDOE.

Tennessee Literacy Success Act (2021)

How schools fund reading intervention in Tennessee

The state-level programs below are the streams Tennessee districts most often use for evidence-based reading intervention purchases, alongside the federal streams available everywhere.

TISA direct funding for K-3 and grade 4 literacy

The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement formula sends districts direct (outside-the-weights) allocations designated for K-3 literacy and grade 4 literacy support; districts can budget these dollars toward evidence-based Tier 2/3 reading intervention curriculum, staffing, and PD documented in their Foundational Literacy Skills Plans.

Reading 360 resources and supports

TDOE provides districts free implementation supports including an approved universal reading screener, decodable texts, and educator training; originally built on one-time federal COVID-relief funds, so districts should verify which supports remain available before budgeting against them.

Approved-list note: Districts must select their K-3 universal reading screener from the State Board’s approved vendor list and foundational literacy curriculum must pass the state’s Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission process; TDOE does not publish a separate approved intervention-program list, but interventions must be evidence-based and described in each district’s Foundational Literacy Skills Plan.

Official state resource →