Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 3.

This bill requires the principal of a public school that is in the bottom 20 percent of schools based on an evaluation of all schools' performance data to annually develop a written proposal for the principal's school. A school not in the bottom 20 percent is not required to submit a proposal but is strongly encouraged to do so.<br /> <br /> This bill provides the following concerning the proposal:<br /> <br /> (1) It must be submitted to, and filed with, the school's LEA no later than the first week of the school year, and must be retained by the LEA for at least three school years;<br /> <br /> (2) It must be made available to the department of education or the state board of education upon request;<br /> <br /> (3) It must identify the resources that the school needs in order to provide the students enrolled in the LEA an adequate and equitable education;<br /> <br /> (4) It must identify areas of improvement for the school and whether the area is related to the LEA's academic programming, the academic achievement of the students in the school, the professional development or retainment needs of the school, or other needs specific to the school that funding through the TISA is needed to advance the school's goals, performance, and mission;<br /> <br /> (5) It must provide data collected by the state, LEA, or school evidencing each of the school needs and each of the areas of improvement for the school identified in the proposal; and<br /> <br /> (6) It must be developed by the principal, independent of the school's governing body, local board of education, president, or director of schools, as applicable, to ensure that the proposal is a fair and accurate statement of the school's needs, as opposed to the needs of the respective LEA.<br /> <br /> This bill encourages a principal required to develop such a proposal to seek input and feedback from students, teachers, and other school employees in identifying the needs of the school. The proposal may be used by the school or the LEA to evaluate the growth and proficiency of the enrolled students. However, this bill does not affect the accountability requirements or measures for the school or LEA. Additionally, this bill does not require the LEA or school to use TISA funding generated pursuant to this bill to provide the resources or to address the needs or areas of improvement identified in the proposal.<br />