Through analysis, articles, and webinars we equip educators, advocates and families with the information they need to understand how these national decisions are shaping students’ opportunity and outcomes.
Webinar Series
Navigating the ever-changing federal education landscape can be challenging and overwhelming. To help make sense of it all, EdTrust-Tennessee launched Federal Focus, Tennessee Lens, a periodic webinar series where we explore federal policy changes and how they may play out in Tennessee.
Federal Policy Insights and Analysis
Stay informed with national analysis and resources that break down key federal education policies and their implications for equity nationwide. These insights provide the context Tennessee advocates need to anticipate challenges, seize opportunities, and advance fair and just education for all students.
Partner Resources
Access resources that highlight how federal education threats are showing up in Tennessee. These tools and insights from partners equip advocates with the knowledge to respond effectively and keep equity at the center of education policy in our state.
Tennessee Justice Center
Wednesday Brief: Medicaid & SNAP in Focus
Join TJC every Wednesday at 11:30 AM CT to learn about the planned cuts to Medicaid (“TennCare”) and SNAP (“food stamps”). This is a series of weekly check-ins to share vital information, where we’ll break down the latest congressional developments as they occur and explain how you can make a difference!
Wednesday Brief Recording & Slide Deck (July 23, 2025)
Medicaid/SNAP Cuts Updates Fact Sheet for TN (July 21, 2025)
Story Collection
The Tennessee Justice Center works across the state to create better access to healthcare and food benefit programs for all. They help with some public benefits enrollment or appeals issues with programs like TennCare (Medicaid), SNAP (food stamps), WIC. If you have a story about one or more of these programs, they would love to hear it.
Let’s Paint: Protect Access for Immigrants to Nutrition and TennCare
Join a quarterly working group to discuss immigrant access to the safety net programs. This group will convene advocates, community organizations, and individuals concerned with the wellbeing of immigrants in Tennessee. We will share updates about SNAP, WIC, TennCare, and other programs. We will hear from the partner network and unpack policy changes affecting immigrant access to anti-hunger and healthcare safety net programs.
Mail for Meals! Postcards to Bring Back Summer EBT
Send postcards to your elected officials to feed kids! Summer EBT alleviates hunger by feeding kids when school meals aren’t around. TN participated in the program in 2024 but chose not to participate in 2025, leaving families without the support they need to buy groceries.
Sycamore Institute
Federal Funding for K-12 Education in Tennessee
This report reviews the federal government’s role in K-12 education, key federal programs and
requirements, recent tensions between Tennessee and federal requirements, and some trade-offs and considerations involved.
Explore Federal Funding in Tennessee
To help Tennesseans navigate this period of uncertainty and change, the Sycamore Institute compiled data
on the flow of federal funding to Tennessee in the most recent full federal fiscal year (FFY)—a total of over
$110 billion in FFY 2024. Use the dashboard below to explore federal funding within each county and by
federal agency.
SCORE
“Informing the Conversation” Memo Series
Informing the Conversation is a collection of resources offering data, research, insights, and ideas to inform discussions about Tennessee education in the context of federal shifts, offered with an eye toward the urgent need to continue improving student outcomes in our state.
National Center For Youth Law
Advocacy Guide to Combatting Racial Discrimination (May 2025)
This guide is meant to serve as a tool for understanding legal protections that can help students, families, and educators push back against racial discrimination and censorship in K-12 public schools.
