Tennessee Education Voucher Bill Halted, Drawing Relief from School Leaders while Prompting Debate on its Potential Reintroduction

Memphis School Leaders React to Tennessee Voucher Bill’s Failure

On Monday, Tennessee Governor, Bill Lee, announced with disappointment that his proposed statewide school voucher program, the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, would not be moving forward this year. The $144-million bill intended to provide $7,075 in state funds to 20,000 students aspiring for private school education in 2024-2025. However, not having a path forwards in the current legislative session, the bill faced its demise.

Public School Officials’ Reactions

Despite this being a disheartening revelation for Governor Lee, public education leaders received this news with relief. They expressed concerns over the bill’s implications on public schools, namely, channeling public funds to private schools, reducing the state’s regulation on private institutions, and the lack of substantial evidence that switching to private schools using vouchers improves student performance. Public school officials were vocal in opposing the bill, expressing relief at its halt.

Collierville Schools, in a released statement, showed their gratitude to those legislators who sided with educators and school boards in rejecting the bill. They pledged their continued advocacy for high standards and beneficial investments necessary to support a robust public education system in Tennessee. Similarly, the Memphis-Shelby County Board of Education previously passed a resolution opposing the Act.

‘Cannot Stay Silent’

Despite the failure of the bill, public school leaders remain wary about what lies ahead. Lakeland School System Superintendent Ted Horrell warned public school advocates to maintain their vigilance. He believes that the Governor will strive to reintroduce the voucher program next year. Similarly, Arlington Community Schools Superintendent Jeff Mayo viewed the bill’s demise as a small victory but warned about the potential return of the bill in the next legislative session.

Elements of the Bill Worth Retaining

Despite their opposition to the voucher initiative, public school leaders approved of various aspects of the bill. The House GOP version sought to make significant reforms to public school testing requirements and teacher and principal performance assessments, while Senate Republicans demanded academic testing for participating students and facilitated out-of-county public school enrollment. These elements, public education advocates argue, might be worth revisiting in the future, albeit independently from vouchers.

Supporters of the Bill

While the bill faced staunch opposition from various quarters, it also had its share of supporters, particularly parents and students who stood to benefit. The Education Savings Account program, another of Lee’s voucher initiatives implemented in 2022, saw positive feedback, with 91% of parents surveyed by the Tennessee Department of Education expressing satisfaction with the academic growth of their children due to the program.

Despite the bill’s failure in the current legislative session, the heated debate indicates that it is likely to reemerge in the future, with modifications informed by the extensive feedback and reactions it sparked this year.