An empty library at Volunteer State Alana Semuels / The Atlantic NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Thousands of students this fall are taking advantage of the Tennessee Promise, the much-vaunted program that provides two years of free tuition to any high-school graduate in the state who attends community college or technical school. More From Americans Are Feeling Pretty Glum About Obama and the Economy Black Workers Really Do Need to Be Twice as Good What Makes D.C.’s Universal Leave Plan So Special?