Application

(1) The Department shall develop an application, and a rubric for evaluating the application, by which a public university that operates a Training School may apply to the Department to become authorized as an ISD. (a) The Department shall post the application, the timeline for application and review, and the evaluation rubric on its website. (2) The public university shall complete the application and provide all documents and information requested by the Department on a timeline set by the Department. (3) The application shall include, but is not limited to, descriptions of: (a) The proposed ISD’s instructional programming, including how the ISD will: 1. Provide sequential instruction to students and educate students using textbooks and instructional materials approved by the State Board of Education and educational programming aligned to the Tennessee Academic Standards adopted by the State Board and that generate new and innovative educational models to advance early childhood literacy and workforce-aligned education; 2. Pilot and model high-quality, innovative educational practices and teaching training programs; 3. Promote robust educational research and practice; 4. Provide opportunities for innovation in instruction; and 5. Provide avenues for delivering innovative course programs, including an explanation for how those course programs are aligned to the future educational needs of Tennessee as defined in Chapter 0520-01-25-.08 of these Rules; (b) The proposed ISD’s plans for serving: 1. Students with disabilities pursuant to federal and state law and State Board Rule 0520-01-09 and through practices informed by the ISD’s research and evaluation goals; 2. Students who are English learners pursuant to federal and state law and State Board Rule 0520-01-19; and INNOVATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS CHAPTER 0520-01-25 3. Students with characteristics of dyslexia pursuant to federal and state law and State Board Rule 0520-01-22; (c) The proposed governance structure of the ISD pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-8-1503 and T.C.A. § 49-8-1510; (d) The ISD’s staffing and evaluation plans for teachers and school leaders pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-8-1507; (e) The ISD’s research plan is in alignment with Chapter 0520-01-25-.06 of these Rules; and (f) Signed assurances that the chief administrator and the general counsel of the public university applying for an ISD understand and shall comply with all federal and state laws, rules, and regulations in the same manner as other LEAs. (4) The Department shall evaluate applications according to its rubric and shall, in writing, inform applicants of its decision within sixty (60) calendar days of the application deadline. (5) Prior to beginning operation as an ISD, the public university with a Department-approved plan for an ISD shall participate in a one-year planning period with readiness indicators established by the Department and posted on the Department’s website. If, during the planning period, the public university fails to meet deadlines or readiness indicators, the Department may revoke approval or require a one-time extension for one additional planning year. (6) The University of Memphis is authorized pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-8-1503(b). The application requirements listed in this chapter shall not apply to the ISD operated by the University of Memphis.