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Lee proposes TCAT scholarships, expands youth employment and seeks $580 million more for K–12
Summary
Governor Bill Lee proposed the Tennessee Works scholarship to cover TCAT tuition and fees, expansion of the Tennessee Youth Employment Program to year-round operations, and a $580 million increase for public education that includes TEA formula investments and another teacher pay raise.
Governor Bill Lee proposed several measures aimed at workforce development and K–12 education in his State of the State address.
Lee announced the Tennessee Works scholarship, described as “a new award that will cover every penny of TCAT tuition and fees for all students,” and said the scholarship will also address equipment and tool costs for students in technical vocational training. He framed the program as a means to connect workers to in-demand jobs and to clear TCAT waiting lists.
On youth employment, Lee highlighted the Tennessee Youth Employment Program, saying that in its first year it “connected over 4,500 young Tennesseans to local employers” and proposed expanding the program to operate year round with a goal to double participation and reach more underserved communities.
For K–12 education, the governor proposed dedicating more than $580,000,000 to public education, including investments in the TEA formula and another pay raise for Tennessee teachers. He said these actions would bring his administration’s public school investments to a total of $2,500,000,000 so far.
Lee also proposed a limited occupational teaching license to allow experienced tradespeople to teach vocational classes without completing additional coursework, which he said would help address teacher shortages in career and technical education.
