Reaction to the Assassination of Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Leads to Controversy at Two Tennessee Universities
Hours after the shooting, comments on X from a now-former employee at Middle Tennessee State University led to condemnation from lawmakers and university leadership.
Fewer Tennessee Grads Heading to College, but Future Trends Signal a Rebound
Tennessee’s college-going rate for the Class of 2024 has dropped to 56 percent, with the steepest declines among minority and low-income students.
Trump-Appointed Education Secretary Linda McMahon Visits Tennessee to Promote State-Led School Policy and Literacy Gains
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Tennessee on Wednesday as part of her nationwide “Returning Education to the States” tour,.
Tennessee Non-Traditional Degree Pathway Programs Need More Support to Retain Teachers, Researchers Say
Tennessee teachers who complete non-traditional pathways to licensure are significantly less likely than traditional degree program graduates to remain in the profession during their early careers, particularly by the start of their fifth year, according to a new study from TERA.
Future Tennessee Teachers Can Now Qualify for Loan Forgiveness with Fewer Requirements
Aspiring Tennessee teachers now have a clearer and more affordable pathway into the classroom. THEC voted this week to revise the TN Future Teacher Scholarship program, cutting the required teaching commitment in half.
Tennessee High School Class of 2026 Now Eligible to Apply for TN Promise
Tennessee’s Class of 2026 high school seniors can now take their first step toward tuition-free college through the Tennessee Promise program through Nov. 3.
Tennessee Becomes First State to Combine Direct College Admissions with Financial Aid Offers for High School Seniors
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 to Develop Stackable Credential Strategies Through Lumina Partnership
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.
Former Governor Bill Haslam appointed to the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees
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.
New Chemistry building has the right composition for the University of Tennessee and the state’s workforce
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.
State Comptroller audit details the financial challenges Tennessee State University’s new leadership must tackle
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.
UT Knoxville proposes no tuition hikes for fall 2025, but students could pay more in fees, dining, and housing
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.
Experts say nondegree credentials could help address Tennessee’s workforce shortage
Nondegree credentials focus on specific competencies and include diplomas, certificates, and industry credentials other than a traditional postsecondary degree.
Committee advances Representative Bulso’s proposal to prohibit transgender students from using multi-occupant bathrooms of their identified sex
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.
House Subcommittee advances bill to expand full-service community schools
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.
Deep cuts, scholarship caps proposed by TSU leaders to ease financial strain
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.
Business and education leaders discuss classroom to workforce pathway opportunities and challenges
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.
SCORE launches new grant to support innovative education to career programs
The Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) announced the launch of a new grant program called the Future Forward Innovation Grant that’s designed to support education, community, and industry leaders as they design and launch innovative education pathway programs.
State officials warn of potential $20 million lottery scholarship funding shortfall
Explosive program growth and a drop in lottery revenues prompted Tennessee Higher Education Commission officials to warn state lawmakers of a projected shortfall in funding for Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship programs.