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Wlaf1450‘Tennessee’s future is secure because we invest in opportunities today’- Dennis Powers
NASHVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- Every fall, students across Tennessee walk into classrooms filled with hope. Some are wide-eyed kindergartners holding a parent’s hand. Others are high school seniors stepping into their final year, wondering what comes next. Behind each student is a family, a teacher and a community rooting for their success.
As a state representative, I see how the policies we set can expand opportunities and help students access the resources they need to succeed.
Teachers are the backbone of our schools. I’ve met educators who stay late to tutor students, inspire teens to pursue their passions and develop lessons that spark a lifelong love of learning. Their dedication shapes students’ lives far beyond the classroom.
The Tennessee Legislature has invested $4.4 billion in new education funding and provided more than $1 billion in teacher pay raises since 2012. These aren’t just budget lines; they are investments in Tennessee’s future.
Education isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every student learns differently and every family deserves choices. Some thrive in a traditional classroom. Others need a different approach.
That’s why I worked to expand flexible learning options. I supported a law that allows students to be excused from school for one hour each day to attend religious moral instruction, giving parents more control over their child’s education. I helped make the Virtual Public Schools Act permanent, enabling students who learn best online to continue attending virtual schools without interruption and ensuring state and local school funding remains stable. I also secured the right for virtual students to play sports at their zoned schools. Whether a student learns online or in person, they deserve the chance to join a team, build friendships and gain a sense of belonging.
The Tennessee General Assembly this year passed the Education Freedom Act (EFA), which provided 20,000 annual scholarships for K-12 students beginning this school year. The law includes a growth provision to expand the number of scholarships over time as demand increases.
The scholarships prioritize students in need and gives parents the freedom to choose the right school for their child regardless of income or zip code. The EFA respects that every child learns differently according to their unique needs and talents.
What it doesn’t do is take a single penny from any public school or from the state’s education budget. Nor will it in the future.
In fact, it goes a step further by locking in a permanent funding floor for public schools and guaranteeing schools will not lose any money due to disenrollment.
So, for example, if you have 1,000 students in your school and enrollment drops to 975, your school still gets funding for 1,000 students at a minimum going forward.
Our commitment doesn’t stop at high school graduation.
The Tennessee General Assembly allocated $264 million in new higher education funding for the 2025–26 fiscal year. We also provided pay increases and expanded health insurance benefits for higher education employees. Lawmakers ensured that admissions, scholarships and financial aid decisions remain free from race-based discrimination.
The Legislature invested $264 million in new higher education funding for the 2025–26 fiscal year. We also provided pay increases and expanded health insurance benefits for higher education employees. Lawmakers ensured that admissions, scholarships and financial aid decisions remain free from race-based discrimination.
Tennessee was the first state in the nation to offer tuition-free community college to all high school graduates. Tennessee Promise gives high school graduates a last-dollar award covering tuition and mandatory fees at community colleges or technical schools after federal aid is applied. The program pairs students with mentors who guide them through the transition to college. Since the program began in 2015, it has supported more than 150,000 students, helped them attend college, complete their programs and earn degrees or certificates that prepare them for the workforce.
I guided the passage of the Tennessee Reconnect Act, which gives adults the chance to attend community college tuition-free. The program allows working adults and parents to return to school, earn degrees or certificates and gain the skills Tennessee employers need to strengthen the workforce.
These programs, along with investments in teachers and schools, help Tennesseans succeed at every stage of learning. Students thrive, adults can advance their education while balancing work and family and teachers continue shaping the next generation. Together, these efforts strengthen communities and create real opportunities for all.
Success has many paths. I will continue fighting for teachers, students and families because every child deserves the chance to succeed. Investing in education strengthens our communities, boosts our economy and builds a brighter future for all Tennesseans.
Dennis Powers represents District 36 which includes Campbell, Union and part of Claiborne counties. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-09/17/2025-6AM)