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Lawmakers Pass Bredesen's Higher Ed Proposal

By AP

Nashville, TN – Tennessee lawmakers have approved a plan to overhaul the state's higher education system to improve poor college graduation rates and sent the measure for Governor Phil Bredesen's signature. Both chambers overwhelmingly approved their versions of the governor's proposal on Thursday and later agreed to minor changes between the House and Senate versions.

The bill's passage brings to a close a two-week special legislative session called by the governor to address education issues.

A key element of the plan changes the way the state pays for higher education by basing the funding formula on graduation rates and student retention, rather than the number of students enrolled at a school.