Education

Tennessee’s Postsecondary Scholarship System at a Crossroads: Understanding the Funding Gap (2026)

Tennessee’s postsecondary scholarship system has distributed $4.7 billion to students over the past decade, but the lottery revenue that funds most of these programs is shrinking even as demand keeps growing. Our research report, produced in partnership with the Tennessee Skills Coalition, examines how a decline in net lottery proceeds combined with rising enrollment and recent policy changes could leave the state’s scholarship programs short by hundreds of millions of dollars by the end of the decade.

Drawing on approaches other states have taken, the report outlines options Tennessee could consider to address these emerging funding challenges in order to preserve access to postsecondary education for future generations.

LET’S GET TO WORK: STUDENT SUPPORTS WILL HELP TENNESSEE TRAIN THE WORKFORCE IT NEEDS (2025)

Tennessee needs more middle-skill workers, but attaining an associate degree or technical certificate is a challenge for many Tennesseans. Our policy brief, created in collaboration with Tennessee Skills Coalition, includes data on the state’s worker shortage, cost of program attendance, and the impact of post-secondary education on employment and earnings. The report also provides recommendations to improve the state’s preeminent scholarship programs, Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, through policy modifications that would increase funding levels and flexibility.

STATE OF OUR STATE: EDUCATION AND YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT (2018)

Education should prepare Tennessee students for career, college and full participation in civic life. But today, Tennessee’s youth has one of the lowest civic participation rates in the country.

Developed in partnership with Complete Tennessee, our policy brief addresses the state of civic engagement and learning among Tennessee’s youth and provides a comprehensive look at how education is key to fostering a stronger citizenry. The brief highlights solutions other states have implemented to enhance civic learning and youth engagement and provides a roadmap of possible next steps for Tennessee policymakers.