Alternet reports on eduction reform in Tennessee.
The Tennessee House and Senate have approved a measure that allows for two free years of tuition at community colleges or technical schools for all the state's high school graduates. The proposal not only has the backing of Republican Gov. Bill Haslam, it was based on his idea.
Moreover, the legislation passed by an overwhelming majority. The state's House of Representatives voted in favor of the legislation with a 87-8 margin.
When the plan, called Tennessee Promise, becomes law, [it] should provide free higher education for about 25,000 students in the state beginning in 2015. It will only benefit incoming freshmen. College sophomores attending two year schools in 2015 will not be able to participate in the plan, but will still be eligible for other state financial aid programs.
The estimated cost of the program is $34 [million] annually. Money will be transferred from the proceeds of the Tennessee Lottery to create an endowment for the program.
A similar proposal in 2007 failed.
In 1960, California was the first state to suspend college tuition. After President Reagan's cuts, the state dropped that program in 1984. Despite that, California's public colleges still have the lowest tuition rates in the country.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 18 2014, @01:15PM
The summary says the plan is supposed to cover about 25,000 students annually but only cost $34 million. That would mean a full years tuition in Tennessee only costs $1360/student. Could this be possible?
That number would cover about 4 credits at a state college in my state.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 18 2014, @02:19PM
This story at NPR [npr.org] has some details on the funding:
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 18 2014, @02:53PM
Based on that, they believe they can generate $34 million a year off of a $300 million endowment? They are expecting some pretty serious returns on their money. I want to know who their broker is.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Angry Jesus on Friday April 18 2014, @03:22PM
According to the NPR article, they are also cutting $1000 per year from the first 2 years of current lottery-funded scholarships to 4-year colleges.
(Score: 2) by Taibhsear on Monday April 21 2014, @08:11PM
It's not to university, just smaller schools for associates degrees and certifications. The Chicago community colleges are about $90 per credit hour. (not including all the ridiculous fees they tack on) So it's not unimaginable.