Digital Learning Tab: This current tab provides information and links related to digital learning plans and standards, the adoption of computer science standards and state definitions for personalized learning. Visit the Instructional Materials, Procurement and Professional Learning Tabs for more information on this state.
Independent district level educational technology plans are required by the state as part of each LEAs comprehensive or school improvement plan, and are revised annually.
The State Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission is responsible for recommending an official list of textbooks and instructional materials to the Tennessee State Board of Education (SBE) for approval based on the state’s approval process. Once the SBE has approved a list of textbooks and instructional materials, it is the responsibility of local boards of education to decide which textbooks and instructional materials to use in their districts. The department administers and coordinates the bidding, reviewing, listing, adoption and approval process for textbooks and instructional materials used by Tennessee schools. The department also implements the rules, policies and procedures established by the Tennessee Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission regarding textbooks and instructional materials. Electronic textbooks may be recommended, adopted and purchased in the same fashion as print textbooks.
Beginning in 2015, all future textbooks bid in Tennessee are available for review online. Information regarding how to access digital reviews for the upcoming textbook adoption cycle is available on the Textbook Online Samples webpage. With the availability of an online review, textbooks in printed form will only be available for review at Middle Tennessee State University.
Districts have the option to choose to use non-state approved instructional materials.
Tennessee Code 49-6-2202: As used in this part or elsewhere in this title, “textbook” or “textbooks” includes “electronic textbook” or “electronic textbooks,” which means computer software, interactive videodisc, magnetic media, CD-ROM, computer courseware, local and remote computer assisted instruction, online service, electronic medium or other means of conveying information to the student or otherwise contributing to the learning process through electronic means. Electronic textbooks may be recommended, adopted and purchased in the same fashion as provided for textbooks in this part.
The Publisher agrees to prepare and submit to the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC), no later than June 30, 2015, electronic files for Publisher’s Textbooks that comply with NIMAC’s National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) format. Publisher also agrees to prepare and submit to NIMAC, within ninety (90) days of a request by any of the State of Tennessee’s NIMAC Authorized Users, NIMAS files for any textbooks created, developed, or owned by the Publisher since June 1, 2008.
We use National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standards.
The state textbook adoption process is administered in accordance with the statutory requirements as set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 22 and the Rules and Policies of the State Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission – See more at: http://tennessee.gov/education/topic/textbook-adoption-process#sthash.utQ0SOMT.dpuf
Our state contract with publishers ensure that publishers are in compliance with the National Instructional Materials Access Center for all authorized users on their digital platforms and for printed textbooks.
In Tennessee, instructional materials are evaluated by a review panel of educators and non-educators throughout the state each year as assigned by subject specific cycles. Reviewers are extensively trained on department created and vetted screening instruments. Screening instruments are developed for each course and grade level being adopted in that given cycle. Reviewers are assigned textbook titles (either print and or digital are acceptable) to evaluate if the textbook meets the minimum requirements for that course. Reviewer evaluations determine if a textbook passes or fails our review process. Publishers have an opportunity to revise content to align to the indicators and standards set on the screening instrument and the review panel will review a second time. All titles that pass the review process are placed on the official textbook adoption list. Local districts are required to adopt textbooks that are listed on the state adoption list. Screening instruments include 4 major sections: instructional shifts, standards, high quality instruction, and additional components.
Our Learning Management System is designed for educators to use for professional development. It does not contain access publisher/instructional materials for state-wide use.
Middle Tenneessee State University holds all submitted textbook samples for public review.
Districts fund the purchase of digital instructional materials, textbooks, and devices with general state funds and/or local initiatives.
Once the state has approved a list of textbooks and instructional materials, it is the responsibility of local boards of education to decide which textbooks and instructional materials to use in their districts. Requirements for the sale of instructional materials are established at the local level. Districts do have the option to choose to use non-state approved instructional materials.
More InformationRequirements for the sale of instructional materials are established at the local level. Publishers are provided a variety of training opportunities to understand the requirements of their products to successfully make the adoption list. Provided information to publishers includes, tool kits on content and process, preview of the screening instruments along with knowledge of the indicators developed by our content experts, webinars for questions on content or process for bidding, and detailed feedback from the reviewers to improve their products.
The Publisher agrees to prepare and submit to the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC), no later than June 30, 2015, electronic files for Publisher’s Textbooks that comply with NIMAC’s National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) format. Publisher also agrees to prepare and submit to NIMAC, within ninety (90) days of a request by any of the State of Tennessee’s NIMAC Authorized Users, NIMAS files for any textbooks created, developed, or owned by the Publisher since June 1, 2008.
A website is being developed to provide educators with a variety of tools to understand what high quality instructional materials look like and evaluate if their resources are high quality. The department will convene district leadership teams 2-3 times a year through spring 2021. These convenings will be held regionally in each of the eight CORE regions. The sessions will be facilitated by the CORE offices in partnership with the division of teaching and learning, and external partners to support content development. Visit the Ready for Resources.
Tennessee Department of Education works to:
Districts are asked to:
The state is working to develop a website to support the districts.
Ready with Resources initiative will kick off with a focus on high quality instructional materials for English Language Arts and will follow with Math the following year. A website is being developed to provide educators with a variety of tools to understand what high quality instructional materials look like and evaluate if their resources are high quality. The department will convene district leadership teams 2-3 times a year, beginning with fall 2018 through spring 2021. These convenings will be held regionally in each of the eight CORE regions. The sessions will be facilitated by the CORE offices in partnership with the division of teaching and learning, and external partners to support content development.
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