Understanding TISA Weights

TISA weights are the mechanism by which the formula delivers additional funding for students who cost more to educate. Every student generates the base allocation, but students with certain characteristics generate additional weighted dollars on top of that base. The weights are expressed as a percentage of the base amount. A weight of 0.25 means the district receives 25% more than the base for that student; a weight of 2.0 means the district receives triple the base.

The economically disadvantaged weight is the most broadly applied, covering roughly 40% of Tennessee's public school students. Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch generate an additional weight, directing extra funding to districts with high concentrations of poverty. This weight is one of the largest improvements over the BEP, which provided almost no additional funding for low-income students beyond small competitive grants.

English learner weights recognize the additional cost of providing language instruction and support services. Students identified as English learners generate a weight that funds English as a Second Language teachers, bilingual instructional assistants, translation services, and assessment tools. The weight applies for a defined period after a student is classified as an English learner and phases out after the student achieves English proficiency.

Students with disabilities generate weights through a tiered system based on the intensity of services required by their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Tier 1 covers students with mild disabilities who spend most of their day in regular classrooms with some support. Tier 5 covers students with the most significant cognitive and physical disabilities who require full-time specialized instruction, therapy services, and adaptive equipment. The jump in funding between tiers is substantial, reflecting the genuine cost differences in serving these populations.

Additional weights exist for gifted students, students in career and technical education concentrator courses, and students in small or sparse districts where economies of scale are limited. The small district and sparse district weights are particularly important for rural Tennessee, where a school might serve only 200 students but still needs a principal, a nurse, and basic instructional staff. Without these weights, the per-student base alone would not generate enough revenue to keep a small school operational.