Education Experts react to Tennessee Failing to pass a school choice bill in the state after momentum built after several years of struggle to accomplish the effort.
after republican Governor Bill Lee expected to spark a school choice “revolution” His hopes of appearing in the Volunteer State were dealt a blow Monday when a school choice bill died in the state legislature.
Corey DeAngelis, senior fellow at the American Federation for Children told Fox News Digital That the “so-called” Republicans should have learned a lesson from the last Texas primary election.
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A protest against Governor Bill Lee’s school voucher program in Nashville, Tennessee on March 12, 2024. Rural, urban and suburban school districts across the state have passed resolutions opposing the program, which they say would divert resources from Tennessee’s already underfunded public schools. (Seth Herald/Getty Images)
“You’d think these so-called Republicans would have learned something from the political earthquake that hit Texas on Super Tuesday,” DeAngelis said. “Special interests may have won the battle this year, but they will lose the war, as they have done in other red states. They will do everything they can to slow the school choice revolution, but they can’t stop it. Mother- “Fathers are on notice. They have woken up and will hold politicians accountable for usurping their right to raise their children.”
Lee’s school choice bill was killed, now stalling the governor’s efforts to pass a statewide school voucher program until next year. This version of the bill would permanently lapse due to new MPs joining the General Assembly after the next election.
Lee has since promised to renew school voucher negotiations next session, though it is unclear how successful that effort will be, as some members will not return next year due to retirement and others face opponents in this year’s election. are doing.
“I am extremely disappointed for the families who will have to wait another year for the freedom to choose the education that is right for their child, especially when there is widespread agreement that now is the time to bring universal school choice to Tennessee. ” Lee said, “Although we have made tremendous progress, unfortunately it has become clear that there is no path forward for the bill during this legislative session.”
Shaka Mitchell, a fellow at the American Federation for Children, said school choice supporters will continue to pressure legislators.
He said, “I am disappointed with how things turned out because despite the drama in this legislative session, this is personal to me. I have friends and neighbors whose children would benefit from the options expanded school choice provides.” “You can be assured that our work will continue until all families have meaningful options, regardless of their address and income. I believe this is an example of what some of the state’s elected leaders , including myself, who are out of touch with their own voters – another reminder that elections matter.”
Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Lee speaks at a panel discussion during the Republican Governors Association conference on November 15, 2022 in Orlando. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jason Bedrick, education research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital that the results in Tennessee are “disappointing.”
Bedrick said, “It is disappointing that the Tennessee legislature missed an opportunity to expand educational freedom for Tennessee families. If past is prologue, the legislators who stood at the school door may soon find out That the voters are not happy with him.”
in an interview with fox news digital In March, Lee called for a “revolution around school choice in America right now.” Lee called for a $400 million bill to reform public school achievement testing and enact universal school choice advances in the state legislature.
Despite initial support, Lee’s vision was always considered ambitious in a state rural GOP legislator Limited public schools in their own districts are skeptical about losing money. Rural lawmakers remain conflicted about school choice measures because public schools in rural areas lack the same options as suburban and urban communities.
President of the Tennessee Educators Association (TEA) Celebrated The bill failed to pass in the state legislature, calling it an attempt to “take taxpayer money” out of public schools.
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“Ninety percent of Tennessee students attend public schools, and today is a great day for them and their parents. On behalf of our students, I want to thank the legislators who are standing strong for our state’s children. Stand up,” TEA President Tanya T. Coates said. “We’ve passed a number of bad voucher policies across the country, and none of them have lived up to the promise of benefiting parents and students. I’m hopeful that when people return to the Capitol next year, we’ll have good policy.” “We will focus on ensuring great public schools in every neighborhood because that’s what parents and students ultimately want.”
Coates noted a wave of red states passing universal school choice laws, a phenomenon Tennessee sought to join. Alabama was the newest States to join the fray.
Corey DeAngelis, senior fellow at the American Federation for Children, criticized Diane Ravitch for urging parents to choose public school after sending their children to private school.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
