Every year, like a sequel in a bad movie, Tennessee receives its annual report card on education funding—and, shocker, the news is not good. Tennessee remains a bottom-tier state in education spending, with historically low teacher salaries and concerns about structural underinvestment.
This year, the National Education Association ranked Tennessee a stunning 51st in per-pupil spending. Yes, you read that correctly: 51st in a nation with only 50 states. It’s the kind of dubious honor that makes you want to throw a parade—if only we had the budget for a float. While I do not place much stock in the NEA, I will concede that it is a measure worth discussing. Methodological concerns, such as ADA calculations, may depress rankings; current expenditures exclude capital costs, and no regional cost adjustments were made.
As always, the political elite sprang into action, reacting with the same astonishment as a cat chasing a laser pointer. Some voices in the chorus called for increased funding—because, naturally, throwing more money into the pot has never failed. Others chimed in with the classic refrain of “let’s spend smarter,” as though that phrase alone could magically transform scarce resources into educational gold.
And let’s not overlook the teachers' unions, which, while raising alarms about the dire state of underfunded classrooms, have also funneled over $1 billion into political campaigns over the last decade. Yes, that’s a billion, with a capital "B."
It raises the question: at what point does an organization ostensibly dedicated to education start to resemble a political ATM? Before you get too comfortable laughing at the teachers' union, the Koch network raised roughly $578 million and spent about $548 million during the 2024 two-year cycle. This includes Americans for Prosperity,
Union leaders argue that their political spending is crucial because education policy is deeply political. While this is undeniably true, one must wonder: if unions stepped out of the political game and returned to real advocacy for classroom teachers and students, would they not be more effective than lining the pockets of political friends and organizations that may not even be connected to education? Just a thought.
Meanwhile, Tennessee’s political leaders often justify our meager spending as a matter of “efficiency.” Efficiency? Perhaps. Or maybe our educators are simply performing miraculous feats, juggling academic demands with a budget that would bring a penny-pinching miser to tears.
Here’s a radical notion: both scenarios can coexist. Tennessee can indeed be underfunding education, while teachers' unions can simultaneously be overinvesting in their political endeavors. This political engagement actually hurts public schools, especially when you are losing elections. David Allan Coe reminded us: “Where bikers stare at cowboys who are laughing at the hippies who are praying they’ll get out of here alive.”
The true priority should not revolve around who triumphs in the ongoing partisan skirmish or who wields the most institutional power. It should center on the students and those who teach them.
Policymaking requires a focus on tangible academic outcomes, genuine support for educators, transparency in financial dealings, and responsible allocation of resources, not merely enhancing political reputations or funneling taxpayer money to good friends.
Our educators are making a difference, and if we retain them, they can make an even bigger one. Between 2003 and 2019, Tennessee's 4th-grade NAEP reading scores increased by seven points (+3.4%), ranking 5th in the U.S., while its 4th-grade math scores grew by 12 points (+5.2%), ranking 3rd. During this period, the state's 8th-grade reading scores increased by four points (+1.7%), ranking 6th in the U.S., while its 8th-grade math scores grew by 12 points (+4.4%), ranking 2nd. The results of the NAEP clearly show that schools can be efficient, which is important for policymakers who want to use funds wisely. However, there are still challenges in hiring and keeping teachers, preparing the workforce, and investing in school facilities.
At the end of the day, the future of education in Tennessee should reflect our deep commitment to nurturing both our children and educators. This commitment must take precedence over the loud, often divisive opinions in the political arena, which frequently prioritize conflict over the important task of creating a supportive and effective learning environment.
The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA), initiated by Governor Bill Lee, shifted the funding formula from resource-based to student-based, adding more than $1 billion in state funding. However, challenges remain, including low national rankings, reliance on local matching funds, concerns about student data tracking, and criticism of lower per-pupil funding. This should be a topic in statewide races in 2026.
Let’s keep our focus on the ultimate goal: the students and those who teach them. They deserve far better than to be mere pawns in an endless game of political chess.
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JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee.
