Contact: Brinn.Obermiller@tn.gov

The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) is requesting a waiver of the Tydings period under § 421(b) of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), pursuant to the waiver authority in ESEA § 8401.

This request applies to Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024 Title IV, Part A Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) statewide activity funds made available for the 2024–25 school year. Under current law, these funds must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2026. TDOE is requesting an extension of the obligation deadline to Sept. 30, 2027.

TDOE is redesigning its statewide approach to administering Title IV, Part A funds to improve alignment with department priorities, statutory intent, and local educational agency (LEA) needs. Given the scope of this redesign, additional time is needed to implement the new process with fidelity and ensure funds are used effectively and in full compliance with federal requirements.

In accordance with waiver requirements, TDOE is providing public notice and soliciting public comment from April 30 through May 22, 2026. Parents, educators, administrators, and community members are invited to submit feedback during this period through the Public Comment for Tydings Waiver Request Form.

Contact: Divisional Coordinators

The CFA Board Approval for FY27 will be embedded in ePlan under Data and Information. This process ensures that local boards of education are aware of the facts, figures, and representations made in the CFA, including that the exhibits, attachments, and assurances are true and correct to the best of their knowledge. Submissions in ePlan is required by the director of schools. The application opens on May 1. The deadline to submit the FY27 CFA Board Approval in ePlan will be Aug.1.  

Instructions to complete can be found here.

The department's Office for Civil Rights (TOCR) will monitor compliance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-50-1801 through Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-50- 1803 by collecting data from LEAs on reports of antisemitism. 

The Reports of Antisemitism report is due by May 31. This year’s report will be completed exclusively in ePlan. Please submit information and data for the 2025-26 school year.

All local education agencies (LEAs) must ensure that the individual designated to complete the Reports of Antisemitism report (LEA Reports of Antisemitism Director) has access to ePlan in order to complete the report. If you are currently designated as your LEA’s Civil Rights and Bullying Compliance Report Director, you have access as the LEA Reports of Antisemitism Director. To request access to ePlan as the LEA Reports of Antisemitism Director, please complete and return the ePlan User Access Form for LEAs to ePlan.Help@tn.gov.  

For more information, please review frequently asked questions regarding the LEA antisemitism formal reporting process. 

Step-by-step instructions for completing the form in ePlan are available on ePlan’s department resources page under Instructions for Completing the Reports of Antisemitism Report.  

Questions about accessing ePlan should be directed to ePlan.Help@tn.gov. For all other additional questions or concerns about the content of the report, please reach out to TDOE.CivilRights@tn.gov.