Groups react to school voucher passage by TN lawmakers

Yahoo

31-01-2025

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — School choice advocates are celebrating the passage of HB6004, which expands school vouchers statewide starting next school year.
The bill, officially titled the 'Tennessee Education Freedom Act of 2025,' was a major policy point of Gov. Bill Lee this legislative session, prompting him to call a special session to specifically address the issue along with Hurricane Helene Disaster relief funding and immigration safety enforcement.
The bill allows for public tax money to be given to families who want their children to attend private schools when they otherwise couldn't afford to in the form of 'scholarships,' worth about $7,000. The bill also provides for a one-time $2,000 bonus for all K-12 teachers if their local school board adopts a resolution affirming their support for the program.
TN General Assembly approves school voucher expansion statewide; bill heads to Gov. Bill Lee's desk
'Universal school choice is now a reality for Tennessee families,' Lee said in a press conference after the special session adjourned its business Thursday afternoon. 'I have said all along that we should, and could, have the best public schools in America and provide parents with choice. We've done that. It is, in fact, a momentous day for students and for teacher and for parents across Tennessee….I'm grateful to the parents and the teachers who have advocated here at the Capitol, not just at the Capitol but all across the state to make sure that Tennesseans had this opportunity.'
The governor said there had been 'a lot of spirited conversation and debate around this issue on both sides because we know that people all across this state — every Tennessean — cares deeply about the future of our children.'
'Now, families can move forward with an opportunity that they have never had before,' he added.
Other groups on both sides of the issue also issues statements following the bill's passage.
Today marks a historic moment for Tennessee. The passage of the Education Freedom Act is a transformative step for education in Tennessee, empowering families and giving them the freedom to choose the best learning environment for their children, no matter their background or ZIP code.
For 14 years, Beacon has advocated for educational choice, championing the belief that parents should have the right to guide their children's education. Since its founding in 2017, Beacon Impact has worked tirelessly to turn these principles into action through legislative advocacy. While we've made significant strides along the way, today's passage of the Education Freedom Act is truly a game-changer for families across our great state.
we would like to extend our gratitude to Governor Lee, Lt. Governor McNally, Speaker Sexton, Leader Johnson, and Leader Lamberth for their unwavering leadership on this important issue. This achievement would not have been possible without their commitment to improving outcomes and opportunities for all students. Their partnership—and that of every legislator who stood up and voted to empower parents today—was crucial in bringing this historic legislation to life, and now Tennessee families will benefit for generations to come. We are grateful for each and every one of them.
Justin Owen, Beacon Impact CEO
Education is not one size fits all and every student deserves a great education—Tennessee's Education Freedom Act expand that opportunity for more of our children. Thanks to incredible leadership spearheaded by Gov. Bill Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, Speaker Cameron Sexton, bill sponsors Senator Majority Leader Jack Johnson and House Majority Leader William Lamberth, and the majority of our state legislators, our state now has a thriving environment for school choice. I am proud that families, regardless of their background or income, can choose to send their child to the public school, charter school, or private school that will best support their individual learning needs.
TennesseeCAN Executive Director Chelsea Crawford
Legislators who support this bill today stood up for Tennessee kids. Now we will turn to supporting the important work of implementation to ensure a strong program that helps Volunteer State families get the education that's right for them.
TennesseeCAN Advocacy Director Jordan Long
We've been entrenched in the fight for educational freedom here for many, many years. Tennessee families won today; future generations of Tennesseans will now have access to more freedom and opportunity. We believe when people have freedom and opportunity, they are capable of extraordinary things.
Our grassroots organization has long advocated for school choice, reaching nearly 200,000 Tennesseans at their doors and on the phone in the last year alone. We're extremely proud to see this massive win after combined years of policy and political work to empower parents across the Volunteer State.
We'd like to give a special thanks to Governor Lee and state lawmakers for writing and passing this transformative piece of legislation. We're trhilled to help Tennessee students receive the best quality that fits their unique, individual needs because we know it can change the trajectory of their lives.
Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee State Director Tori Venable
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Tennessee's educators are disheartened by the rushed way statewide vouchers passed the Tennessee General Assembly during the extraordinary session called by Gov. Bill Lee.
Four days – that's all the time provided to consider a statewide voucher plan and a massive appropriations bill, with just a few hours of actual deliberation. This is a disservice to the students in Tennessee's public schools, and damages public faith in the process when families, educators, and voters were eager to continue engaging in meaningful conversations about what's best for our students, schools, and communities.
While we are grateful for the much-needed relief that will finally reach disaster-stricken communities in Northeast Tennessee, we share the sentiment of many local officials who have expressed dismay that universal vouchers were included in the call for the special session.
We would have preferred to see relief dollars in a separate appropriations bill from the funds for universal vouchers to avoid the perception that funding for vouchers and providing relief to Tennesseans who are still suffering in the aftermath of a natural disaster were tied together.
We thank the legislators who stood with their communities, families, and educators by voting against the statewide voucher bill. We are also grateful to the thousands of parents and community members who reached out to their elected officials with concerns about universal vouchers.
We remain concerned about the impact of this statewide voucher program on Tennessee's public schools, particularly rural schools which will be first in line to feel the impact when state funding begins to erode. Over time, the inevitable reduction of the state's support of public schools to fund the ballooning costs of vouchers will leave local governments to try to make up the difference. They'll be forced to decide whether to raise taxes locally or reduce services, which can mean firing teachers and closing schools.
We regret that by voting for Gov. Lee's statewide voucher bill, the legislature has agreed to subsidize the tuition for a few families, most of whom have never set foot in a public school, at the expense of opportunity for the vast majority of Tennessee's students. Assurances that public schools will not be adversely affected by this program are impossible to keep, as seen in other states who have created similar programs. It is a sad day for taxpayers who will have little accountability over these funds and for students whose public schools will inevitably suffer as a result of this program.'
TEA President Tanya T. Coats
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