The following may be attributed to TEA President Tanya T. Coats, a veteran Knox County educator:

The latest data confirms what Tennessee educators have been saying for years: our state is falling behind in the investments that matter most for student success.

Tennessee ranks 50th in the nation in per-student spending, and educator pay continues to trail national benchmarks, with average teacher salaries ranking 40th, according to the National Education Association’s 2026 Educator Pay reports. Education support professionals rank even lower. While some point to increased funding in recent years, those gains have been outpaced by inflation, rising benefit costs, and growing student needs. In real terms, many schools are still being asked to do more with less.

Tennessee can do better than last in the country, and our students deserve the resources needed to thrive.

Strong schools build strong communities, and strong communities build a strong Tennessee. That starts with investing in the people who make public education work.

As the 114th General Assembly concluded its work last week, lawmakers chose to nearly double the statewide voucher program, directing significant public funding toward a relatively small percentage of students. Every student matters, and everyone deserves access to a world-class education. But the best way to ensure high-quality opportunities for all Tennessee children is by investing in public schools. When a disproportionate share of new investment is directed toward a small segment of students, the cost is ultimately borne by the 90% of Tennessee students who attend public schools.

In classrooms across Tennessee, educators are stretching every dollar and filling the gaps for their students. If we are serious about improving outcomes, we must invest in what works: competitive pay, strong support for educators, and resources for the public schools that serve the vast majority of Tennessee families.

Tennessee educators are doing their part every single day. It is time for our state’s policy decisions and investments to match that commitment.