Today’s Top Story

Supporters say Tennessee is leading the nation with TN Direct Admissions, a new pilot program that automatically accepts eligible high school seniors into in-state colleges and technical schools—no application required.

Tennessee has been selected to join Lumina Foundation’s FutureReady States initiative, a national effort to align short-term credentials with quality jobs and expand access for adult learners. The state will focus on defining and tracking stackable credentials to build clearer, more flexible education pathways.

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees is responsible for the governance and strategic oversight of the University of Tennessee System, including campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin, Pulaski (UT Southern), and the UT Health Science Center in Memphis. 

The Tennessee General Assembly approved $165.5 million in next year’s budget for the new building, which is the largest investment ever funded for a single higher education project.

According to the Comptroller’s audit, Tucker is inheriting a university that ended the 2022/23 fiscal year in June 2023 with an operating revenue loss of more than $128 million.

Under the proposed budget, tuition will hold steady at $11,560 per semester for in-state students and $30,704 for out-of-state students for the 2025-26 school year.

Nondegree credentials focus on specific competencies and include diplomas, certificates, and industry credentials other than a traditional postsecondary degree.

Bulso’s bill would require restrooms, changing areas, and showers that are multi-occupant to be segregated by sex in residential education programs involving minors.

The bill, sponsored by Representative Kirk Haston, R-Lobelville, establishes a community schools grant program to benefit public schools, administered by the University of Tennessee. Local districts would be able to opt in and apply for grants to create so-called full-service community schools within existing public schools.

The plan would reduce TSU's budget deficit by $32-37 million over the next two fiscal years through staff cuts, scholarship caps, hiring freezes and other cuts.

Leaders in business and education came together to discuss new pathways for Tennessee students to find success in their journey from the classroom to the workforce during the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) annual Future Forward Summit.