As part of the Tennessee’s ongoing commitment to bring Innovative School Models (ISMs) to every public middle and high school in Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Education has awarded over $560 million across 137 public school districts and 45 public charter schools to invest in students and their postsecondary success. Thanks to the historic investment by Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly, this grant funding distributed over 182 grants to increase opportunities for career readiness and student success statewide.
Through a statewide application process, grant recipients received $1 million per high school, $500,000 per middle school, and $200,000 per school serving less than 100 students. Combination schools, or schools that serve both middle and high school aged students, were awarded $1 million each, and $500,000 was awarded to those that serve elementary and middle school aged students.
The grant application process required applicants to outline their plans for reimagining time, space, and learning experiences for their students, including innovative approaches and creative opportunities.
The goal of the Innovative School Models initiative is to encourage strong, strategic, and innovative partnerships between Tennessee public school districts, public charter schools, postsecondary education institutions, and local employers to prepare students with real-world, in-demand skills, credentials, and knowledge. This grant opportunity expands the department’s initial Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) investment of $30 million. In 2021, 21 districts across the state were initially awarded ISM grant funding. These districts have made incredible strides in boosting student readiness through exemplary ISM programming.
For more information on Innovative School Models, click here.