Tennessee K-12 Education Grants & Funding Resources

What Grants Are Available in Tennessee?

1. Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA)
   • What it is: TISA is Tennessee’s statewide K-12 education funding formula that distributes funding to school districts on a per-student basis. Implemented beginning in the 2023-24 school year, the formula provides base funding for each student along with additional weighted, direct, and outcomes-based funding tied to student characteristics and academic performance. The base funding portion supports core district expenses such as instructional staff, materials and supplies, technology, operational costs, and district-level system support.
   • Why it matters: Because TISA provides flexible operational funding that districts can use for technology, equipment, and system infrastructure, schools can allocate a portion of their formula funding toward operational technology that improves efficiency and accountability. This creates a pathway for districts to invest in solutions like Touchpoint’s SmartClocks, which modernize employee time tracking, strengthen staff accountability, and support better workforce management across school campuses without requiring a separate competitive grant program.
     
     
2. Tennessee Charter School Facilities (CSF) Grant
   • What it is: The Charter School Facilities Grant is a Tennessee Department of Education program that provides annual funding to charter schools to support facility acquisition, renovation, and capital improvements. Funds can be used to purchase property, improve school buildings, finance portable facilities, and complete safety-related upgrades that ensure a safe and effective learning environment.
   • Why it matters: Because the program allows funding for facility improvements and security enhancements, charter schools can use CSF funds to modernize infrastructure that supports campus safety and operational accountability. When positioned as part of a broader security or facility modernization initiative, schools may be able to fund technologies like Touchpoint SmartClocks that strengthen staff accountability, improve emergency roster accuracy, and contribute to a safer, more secure school environment.