Special Education Professional Development and Resources

Tennessee Technical Assistance Network (TN-TAN)

The Tennessee Technical Assistance Network (TN TAN) provides school districts, administrators, educators, and families FREE access to high-quality technical assistance, resources, and supports to improve outcomes for students with disabilities, ages 3-22. The network provides supports in the following areas:

Assistive Technology

Family & School Engagement - Vanderbilt Kennedy Center works alongside schools and families to foster strong collaborative partnerships that support the success of students with disabilities. Through the development of sustainable systems and practices, the initiative helps schools strengthen family engagement, expand opportunities for parent education, and empower families to actively participate in their children's educational journey. 

IEP Coaching & Support

IEP Coaching & Support - Vanderbilt Kennedy Center provides statewide technical assistance, coaching, and implementation support to help Tennessee school districts develop high-quality individualized education programs (IEPs) that drive meaningful student outcomes. Through collaborative coaching, data-informed problem-solving, and capacity-building efforts, the program strengthens educators' knowledge of effective IEP development, documentation, and implementation. By supporting sustainable systems, internal review processes, and practical tools and resources, the program helps ensure IEPs are individualized, actionable, and focused on improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities.

Special Education Programming: Complex Behavior

Instructional Programming: Complex Behavior - Vanderbilt Kennedy Center provides statewide technical assistance, coaching, professional learning, and resources to help Tennessee schools improve behavioral outcomes for students with disabilities. These supports help Local Education Agencies (LEAs) implement evidence-based behavioral practices that increase access to the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), reduce exclusionary discipline practices, and improve student success across school settings.

Special Education Programming: Instructional Supports

Special Education Programming: Instructional Supports - American Institute for Research (AIR) helps Tennessee school districts increase access to high-quality, inclusive learning experiences for students with disabilities ages 3-21. Through professional learning, technical assistance, and implementation support focused on specially designed instruction (SDI), high-impact IEPs, service delivery models, paraeducator development, secondary transition, preschool programming, and inclusive practices, the program strengthens local capacity to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).

Tiered Intervention

Tiered Intervention- Blue Engine supports Tennessee districts and schools in implementing Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI2-A+B) through training, coaching, and technical assistance. By strengthening data-based decision-making, collaborative professional learning, and instructional design, the program helps educators deliver effective academic and behavioral supports at every tier. This work improves student outcomes, promotes positive behavior, reduces lost instructional time, and expands access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for students with disabilities ages 3-21 while supporting the early identification of students who may have a disability.

Go to https://tn-tan.tnedu.gov for resources and to request services provided by the network.

For general inquiries, contact Special.Populations@tn.gov or TN-TAN at TN-TAN@utk.edu.  

Additional TDOE Funded Supports Across Tennessee 

• Family Engagement Project- The Arc of TN's Family Engagement Project works collaboratively with families, schools, and districts across the state to increase family engagement in Special Education. If your district is interested in learning more about the free supports they provide, please visit their website at https://familyengagementtn.com.