It may sound like a commercial, but television promos, radio and highway billboard ads are blasting a very blunt message. It says "Finish what you started."
This is particularly directed to Tennessean adults who have dropped out of college. There is a program available that offers incentives to adult college dropouts without a degree, as reported by Wall Street Journal. The effort is to boost the number of graduates. According to reports, state education representatives have started Tennessee Reconnect which cost them $1 million to produce.
It aims to bring college drop outs back to school. And the education officials have took it upon themselves to dig up private and public records to call college drop outs and bring them back to higher education.
Mike Krause, the executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, said that they are doing everything they can to increase the rate of adults with college degrees in Tennessee. They are aiming for 55 percent by 2025, compared to 38 percent this year.
The state also wants to produce a much more educated workforce. According to reports, there are almost 37 million working adults in the United States with some college credits but did not graduate with a degree.
One insurance account manager from Nashville called Tennessee Reconnect to find out more about this free education. He was guided by an adviser and he then signed up for online classes at Columbia State Community College. He is nearing the end of his course to receive an associate's degree in business administration. He did not shell out a single dime. His tuition is fully covered by scholarship and state grants.
For those who are interested to finish a degree, they just need to accomplish a few simple steps. Questions such as transferring credits or courses can be answered by a Tennessee Reconnect guide or through the TN Reconnect official website.
Check out the video below to learn more about Tennessee Reconnect:
