Lawmakers in Tennessee approved legislation in January that will allow more families to use taxpayer money on private schools, regardless of income.
Why It Matters
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, a Republican, has long pushed to expand a school voucher program in the state.
Republicans across the country have increased their criticism of public schools in recent years. They have said some were too slow to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, have sought to limit what public schools can teach students about race and sexuality, and have adopted laws and rules banning transgender athletes in school sports.
Critics argue school choice programs deprive public schools of needed resources and that many of the students who benefit from them come from wealthy families and were already in private schools.
What To Know
The legislation means Tennessee joins other states that have eliminated strict income requirements for families seeking to use public money to fund alternatives to public education for their children.
The Education Freedom Act establishes a statewide school choice program, providing 20,000 education vouchers of about $7,000 each for students to attend Category I, II or III state-accredited private schools.
Half would be reserved for students from lower-income households or those who are disabled, but any student entitled to attend a public school could access the remaining 10,000.
Students who participate in the voucher plan will be required to take a take a standardized achievement test every year from third through 11th grade or the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program test. The legislation requires participating private schools to administer the test to the students and provide the results to their parents.
The legislation does not impose any other requirements on participating private schools or require them to accept voucher recipients.
More than $420 million would be set aside for the voucher plan as well as other education-related provisions in the upcoming budget year.
That includes almost $200 million for one-time bonuses of $2,000 for teachers. However, local school boards would have to pass resolutions opting into the bonus section of the voucher bill.
What People Are Saying
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who called a special session to focus lawmakers’ attention on the issue and others part of his agenda, said in a statement when the legislation was approved: “I’ve long believed we can have the best public schools and give parents a choice in their child’s education, regardless of income or ZIP code. Today is a milestone in advancing education in Tennessee.”
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social last week: “Congratulations to Tennessee Legislators who are working hard to pass School Choice this week, which I totally support. We will very soon be sending Education BACK TO THE STATES, where it belongs. It is our goal to bring Education in the United States to the highest level, one that it has never attained before. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
“Democrats had questioned Lee’s voucher plan, citing costs that have arisen in other states and said the legislation would largely benefit wealthy families who don’t need the help.”
Democratic State Representative John Ray Clemmons said during the floor debate on January 30: “Make no mistake; this is welfare for the wealthy.
“Every state where vouchers has been enacted, it has failed. It has not resulted in increased or improved test scores, it has not resulted in better educational outcomes for students, but what it has done is create a gaping hole in every state budget where vouchers exist today.”
Democratic Representative Bo Mitchell said: “One of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle told me, ‘this is reverse Robin Hood.’ We’re going to steal from the poor inner city schools and we’re gonna give it to the rich folks so they can keep going to the private schools that they’re already going to.”
Republicans acknowledged that the program is not designed for disadvantaged families, saying that parents need more choices, regardless of their income.
Republican State Senator Jack Johnson, who sponsored the bill, said: “I never once said this was a program designed for disadvantaged families, and I’ve never heard the governor say that.
“This legislation has been marketed as a parental empowerment tool. We’re not going to penalize people who work hard and might do a little better than someone else. We want these to be universal.”
What Happens Next
The education vouchers will be available from the 2025-26 school year.
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