Tennessee.

The article focuses on Tennessee's FY24 Appropriations Act, signed by Governor Bill Lee, which allocates $56.2 billion in total funds, including $30.5 billion from state revenues, with notable investments in K-12 and higher education. The state implemented a new K-12 funding formula in 2023–2024 emphasizing weighted student funding and increased teacher salaries, alongside a $230 million allocation for enhanced school safety measures. Higher education funding prioritizes expansion and modernization of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) system with nearly $1 billion in capital projects, supporting workforce development aligned with growing manufacturing jobs. Despite increased funding, teacher vacancies rose in 2022, particularly in urban districts, prompting targeted initiatives to improve recruitment and retention. Postsecondary education operating funds increased by $841 million, though salary appropriations remained flat from the previous year.