The American Dream with a Tennessee Twist
Tennessee is a rising star among states. U-Haul recently published its annual Growth Index Report that ranks states according to in-demand one-way truck rentals. Tennessee has been ranked in the top 10 states since 2017 and is now contending with Texas and Florida for the top 3 slots (we were #1 in 2020 and #3 in 2021). Tennessee’s rising popularity is not a fluke of circumstance. There are reasons why our state is attracting new residents, new businesses, and new opportunities. While we should be encouraged by these trends, we should not be satisfied. There are still many families and children who would choose a better life if given the opportunity. We can do better and we must do better, but change requires leadership and it’s not always easy or popular. Gov. Bill Lee, in collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Education, recently announced an effort to invest more thoughtfully in Tennessee’s one million K-12 students. One important component of Gov. Lee’s Draft Framework for Student Success emphasizes career and technical education during a student’s high school years. This is a good example of the type of policy and leadership that is helping Tennessee propel beyond peer states, but the reason may not be obvious.