Research and Policy Focus

The Tennessee Center for Educational Finance and Policy is a research hub dedicated to a rigorous, justice-oriented examination of Tennessee’s public school funding systems. Our mission is to provide an independent and evidence-based perspective on the critical issues facing education in our state. We believe that understanding how schools are funded—and the historical, social, and political contexts behind those systems—is essential for creating a more just and equitable educational landscape.
 

To achieve this, we leverage the power of established conceptual frameworks, including Critical Race Theory and Critical Policy Analysis. These approaches allow us to go beyond surface-level data to investigate the deeper structural issues that can perpetuate inequities. By analyzing the relationship between policy rhetoric and practiced reality, we aim to expose how funding mechanisms can reinforce social stratifications and impact the resources available to students, particularly those who are marginalized or under-resourced. Our ultimate goal is to serve as a trusted resource for policymakers, school leaders, and the public, informing data-driven reform that ensures every Tennessee student has access to an adequate and equitably funded education.