Tennessee Code Title 49. Education § 49-6-105

(a) LEAs may apply to the department of education for funding and approval of one (1) or more pre-kindergarten programs.  LEAs may contract and enter into collaborative agreements for operation of these programs with nonschool system entities in the geographical area served by the LEA, including, but not limited to, nonprofit and for-profit child care providers and Head Start programs.  LEAs shall not contract or collaborate with any child care provider licensed by the department of human services, unless that provider has attained the highest designation under the rated licensing system administered by the department of human services, pursuant to title 71, chapter 3, part 5.

(b) As part of the application process, the LEA shall include a statement that it has given consideration to how to serve all children four (4) years of age within the geographical area served by the LEA, in the event programs are later authorized for all children, regardless of at risk status.  The long range plan shall include the proposed sources of local matching funds required under §§ 49-6-103 -- 49-6-110.  Where applicable, the LEA is encouraged to include a resolution of support from the local governing body indicating intent to appropriate the required local matching funds.  Applications that target establishing programs for at-risk children not served by an existing program shall be given preference in the application process.  Documentation of local financial support shall also be considered as a factor in the application process.  LEAs are encouraged to collaborate with nonschool system entities where such collaboration provides an efficient means for expansion of pre-kindergarten classrooms authorized under §§ 49-6-103 -- 49-6-110.

(c) The commissioner of education shall establish the system for submitting applications and, subject to available funding, programs shall be approved on a competitive basis.

(d) An LEA shall include as part of its application:

(e) LEAs that receive pre-kindergarten program approval under §§ 49-6-103 -- 49-6-110 shall utilize the pre-k/kindergarten growth portfolio model approved by the state board of education, or a comparable alternative measure of student growth approved by the state board of education and adopted by the LEA, in the evaluation of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teachers pursuant to § 49-1-302.

(f) Each LEA shall notify all teachers evaluated using a growth portfolio model of training and professional development opportunities available on growth portfolio models.

(g) Deleted by 2025 Pub.Acts, c. 385, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025.

(h) Deleted by 2025 Pub.Acts, c. 385, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025.

(i) Selection of voluntary pre-kindergarten program sites must take into consideration the areas of greatest need, which may be determined by, but not limited to: