Today’s Top Story

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Tennessee on Wednesday as part of her nationwide “Returning Education to the States” tour,.

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.

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’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.

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.