NASHVILLE  (AP) - U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Tuesday lauded Tennessee's educators for their extra effort in trying to help students be successful - but teachers were told that pay raises will have to wait at least until next year.

Duncan spoke at the Tennessee Educational Leadership Conference, which is being attended by more than 2,000 educators from across the state.

He told a capacity crowd in a ballroom at the Music City Center that over the course of several years the hard work of principals and teachers has resulted in Tennessee students leading the nation in academic improvement. And he noted some educators are going beyond the call of duty.

In a conversation with some principals he had the night before, Duncan said "one principal had taken in one of her students for six or eight weeks because of what wasn't happening at home."

"And so the work you're doing is not just about raising test scores ... although th at's real important," Duncan said. "You guys collectively are trying to give children a chance in life."

Gov. Bill Haslam also spoke Tuesday. He too praised educators and told reporters following his speech that he's committed to seeing they get more pay.

The Republican governor had planned to give teachers a pay increase this year, but said he wasn't able to because of budget constraints. However, if state revenues allow for it, he said increased pay for teachers will be a priority next year.

"I've said that ... teacher pay will be at the top of my list," Haslam said. "But then again, we always have to deal with the reality that we have."

Huntingdon High School principal Jonathan Kee drove from West Tennessee to attend the conference. He said a pay increase would send "a very powerful message" to teachers.

"We're trying to keep good teachers in the classroom and recruit good teachers," he said. "I think a salary increase would certainly send a v ery clear ... message that teachers are important."

Haslam also took a moment to discuss "Tennessee Promise," his program to cover a full ride at two-year colleges for any high school graduate.

The program is a cornerstone of Haslam's "Drive to 55" campaign to improve the state's graduation rates from the current 32 percent to 55 percent by 2025 in order to help improve overall job qualifications and attract employers to the state.

The state started out with a goal of 20,000 applicants for the program, but Haslam said Tuesday that more than 47,000 applications have been received. He credited the high number to teachers who have helped promote the program.

"The fact that you're showing such leadership out there has made an incredible difference," he said.

The free tuition plan requires students to work with a mentor and complete eight hours of community service a year. After graduation, students who choose to attend a four-year school will be able to do so as juniors.

The deadline to apply for the program is Nov. 1.