To the Editor:
Tennessee ranks 35th in the nation for higher education ratings, according to a U.S. News Weekly data report, which is a statistic that Governor Bill Haslam attempted to fight through the Tennessee Promise Program.
With countless companies moving operations to Tennessee over the past several years, the demand for workers has increased drastically, resulting in an increase in demand for workers with post-secondary degrees. However, while Governor Haslam and the legislature had good intentions through the Tennessee Promise, there were several unintended consequences that caused more harm than help. Primarily, students who choose to use the program as a “stepping stone,” are often hurt in the transfer process. According to Forbes, “80 percent of students entering community colleges vow to go on and obtain a four-year degree, while only around 29 percent complete that goal within six years.” This plan promotes one option, which truly disadvantages those who thrive better in other learning environments.
Secondly, public and private colleges and universities have experienced major hits to enrollment and funding. In a report by the Brookings Institute, “…within the first year of its inception, enrollment in four-year colleges and universities dipped down by 3.8 percent.” While larger institutions were affected, smaller institutions took an even harder blow. Many have been forced to raise tuition rates astronomically, to the point that several have been forced out of business. This not only cuts jobs, but limits competition and options within higher academia.
The solution is simple: allow students to use a small sum, around the average cost of community college tuition, to be utilized for tuition at the institution of their choice. By allowing this option, the state returns power to the students, allowing them to choose their ideal learning domain, thus better preparing them for the workforce. With a massive demand for workers, the state should be exploring every avenue in order to improve our rankings, both within the United States, and around the world.

Dalton Shell
Milligan College