Tennessee is currently undercounting and underfunding students from low-income backgrounds. This problem will only get worse as massive federal cuts to public benefits programs take effect. Stricter eligibility requirements for SNAP and Medicaid, including changes to TennCare eligibility, are expected to result in millions of Americans losing access to public assistance—further reducing the number of students identified through direct certification.

Relying solely on public assistance data to identify needy students and districts masks the reality many students are experiencing across the state regarding financial instability and limits our ability to channel resources where they’re needed the most.

Join us to learn how Tennessee’s narrow poverty definition is shortchanging schools and students, and what we can do about it. With federal policy changes on the horizon, this is a critical moment to understand what’s at stake and how to take action to ensure resources reach the students who need them most.

Together, we can push for policies that reflect the full spectrum of student need and unlock opportunity across for all Tennessee students.