Welcome to the wild world of Tennessee education, where punchlines flow like sweet tea and the absurdity runs deeper than a country song about heartbreak, broken-down trucks, lost dogs, and BBQ. If you thought our state was just about country music, hot chicken, and pulled pork, prepare for a surprise that’s bigger than a University of Tennessee football game at Neyland Stadium.
First up, grab your hats! The University of Tennessee System is experiencing a growth spurt that could rival a teenager on a junk food binge. With 60,000 students currently enrolled, the campus is larger than many cities in the state of Tennessee.
While college enrollment is on the decline nationally, UT Knoxville saw a 1.8% increase —an impressive figure, given that the most significant distraction might be politicians flocking to the football games. President Randy Boyd attributes this increase to better support for first-generation students—or perhaps they have finally realized that orange and white are indeed colors for future success!
But wait, there’s more! Community colleges are experiencing a 4-6% enrollment surge! Apparently, people are discovering that a two-year degree in something practical is a better investment than a degree in interpretive dance. This surge aligns with our state’s “Drive to 55” initiative, which aims for 55% of Tennesseans to have postsecondary degrees. We probably don’t get there under the current state leadership. It’s a race to the finish line—may the most caffeinated student win!
September 3 kicked off College Application Month! This is just a fancy way of saying, “Hey, seniors! Free money awaits!” The Tennessee Promise scholarship is like finding a golden ticket to tuition-free education. The application process is so simple that even Smokey could do it—if only he had opposable thumbs.
And then there’s the new Education Freedom Scholarship program, which sounds like an all-you-can-eat buffet for education but operates as corporate welfare. Up to $7,295 per student for private schools! But this buffet comes with a side of secrecy. Unlike states like Alabama and Florida, Tennessee’s lawmakers prefer to keep things under wraps. So if you’re angling for some government cash, you might want to practice your best “please, can we have some money?” face. That will be one of the challenges for the next Governor.
Tennessee now requires firearm safety education for all students in grades K-12. Kids are now required to learn how to handle firearms alongside subjects such as math, reading, social studies, and science. It’s not so far-fetched—but may be more appropriate after school. We continue to add mandates to our schools, yet we demand more academically.
So, let’s take a moment to honor our heroes: the teachers. Dr. Brandi De La Cruz has been named Tennessee’s Teacher of the Year. If anyone deserves a medal for surviving this wild ride, it’s our educators! TCAP scores are rising, and we are surpassing other states on NAEP tests. Our kids are learning, although discipline issues still require some attention and improvement.
We have been vocal about simplifying the licensure process. The current system is more convoluted than a politician trying to explain why they deserve re-election. And don’t even get started on the potential “federal education apocalypse,” which sounds like a scary movie starring an aging Hollywood star.
Tennessee’s education scene is a whirlwind of growth, change, and absurdity. With ongoing debates, it’s clear we are making strides while keeping our sense of humor intact. Who knew education could be this entertaining? Here’s to the wild ride ahead!
JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee and a contributing editor for TriStar Daily.
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