This report presents a picture of how multiple converging state policies affect higher educaton performance in Tennessee as the state pursues an aggressive plan to improve the educational attainment of its residents. Policy is a powerful lever for advancing—or hindering—a state's higher education attainment agenda. By taking into account Tennessee's particular state context, we can better understand the factors influencing the content, formation, implementation, and ultimate success of higher education policy intended to improve performance and meet state attainment goals (Perna & Finney, 2014).