ClarksvilleNow.com Reporting
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In Monday night’s State of the State address, Governor Bill Haslam outlined a new proposal titled “The Tennessee Promise”, which would provide graduating high school seniors with free tuition for two years of community college or a college of applied technology (TCAT).
“Through the Tennessee Promise, we are fighting the rising cost of higher education, and we are raising our expectations as a state,” Haslam said. “We are committed to making a clear statement to families that education beyond high school is a priority in the state of Tennessee.”
Once the students completed those two years of community college, they would be eligible to transfer to a four-year school as a junior. This essentially cuts the cost of a four-year degree in half.
“This is a bold promise,” Haslam continued. “It is a promise that will speak volumes to current and prospective employers. It is a promise that will make a real difference for generations of Tennesseans, and it is a promise that we have the ability to make. Net cost to the state, zero. Net impact on our future, priceless.”
In order to carry out the Tennessee Promise, lottery reserve money would be transferred to create an endowment.
The proposal is part of Haslam’s “Drive to 55” initiative, which aims to increase the number of Tennesseans with degrees beyond high school.
Gov. Haslam outlined several other educational efforts in his speech.
The complete text of the governor’s speech and an archived video of his speech are available at www.tn.gov/stateofthestate.