Local school officials respond after Tennessee ranks last in school investment report

Local school officials respond after Tennessee ranks last in school investment report

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Local school systems are responding after Tennessee was ranked last in school investment in the National Education Association's ranking estimate report for 2026. School officials in Unicoi County and Johnson City said they are disappointed in the state's rank. "One of those things, it adds a little extra layer when, [...]

Tennessee dead last in U.S. for student spending as vouchers grow

Tennessee ranks last in the nation for per-student public school spending.

Report: Tennessee ranks last in per-student public school spending

Tennessee ranks at the bottom of the country when it comes to public school spending. That according to a new report from the National Education Association, the country’s largest teachers’ union. In its rankings, the NEA assesses per-pupil funding in two ways: by enrollment and average daily attendance. Based on data from last school year, Tennessee’s K-12 public schools spent $11,723 dollars per student enrolled, beating only Idaho. The averag…

Are Tax Cuts and Vouchers Replacing Public School Funding in Tennessee?

WKRN notes that a new analysis says Tennessee ranks last in the nation in school funding: The report places the Volunteer State 51st in per-pupil spending, behind every other state and the District of Columbia, prompting criticism from Democratic lawmakers who argue the numbers reflect years of underinvestment. “It shows the state has prioritized big tax cuts and a private school program rather than dealing with the most important investment we …