education Experts reacted to Tennessee’s failure to pass a school choice bill, which was gaining momentum after years of effort.
After the Republican Party Gov. Bill Lee expects a ‘revolution’ in school choice Developments in the Volunteer State dashed his hopes Monday when the state Legislature passed a school choice bill.
Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the American Federation for Children, told Fox News Digital that the “so-called” Republican Party should have learned lessons from the last Texas primary.
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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, saying it diverts funds from Tennessee’s already underfunded public schools. (Seth Herald/Getty Images)
“You would think so-called Republicans would have learned something from the political earthquake that rocked Texas on Super Tuesday,” DeAngelis said. “Special interests may have won the battle this year, but like other red states, they will lose the war. They will do everything they can to slow the school choice revolution, but stop it. Parents will wake up and hold politicians accountable for trampling on their right to direct their children’s upbringing.
Mr. Lee’s school choice bill failed, stalling the governor’s efforts to pass a statewide school voucher program until next year. This version of the bill would be permanently dissolved as new members join the General Assembly after next fall’s elections.
Mr. Lee then promised to restart school voucher talks at the next meeting, but with some members retiring and not returning next year and others facing opponents in this year’s elections, It is unclear how successful the attempt will be.
“Especially for families who have to wait another year for the freedom to choose the education that’s right for their children, despite widespread agreement that now is the time to bring universal school choice to Tennessee. I feel very sorry.” lee said. “We have made great progress, but unfortunately it has become clear that there is no path forward for passing legislation this Congress.”
Shaka Mitchell, a fellow with the American Federation for Children, said school choice advocates will continue to push lawmakers.
“While this legislative session has been dramatic, I am disappointed in the way things have unfolded because this is personal to me. Some of my friends and neighbors have expressed their desire to benefit from expanded school choice. “There are people whose children stand to benefit from choice,” he said. “Rest assured that our work will continue until every family, regardless of location or income, has meaningful choices. I think it’s just another example of people not communicating with their constituents. It’s another reminder that elections matter.”
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Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Lee speaks during a panel discussion during the Republican Governors Association conference in Orlando on November 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Ferrand M. Ebenhack)
Jason Bedrick, an education researcher at the Heritage Foundation, told FOX News Digital that the results in Tennessee were “disappointing.”
“It’s unfortunate that the Tennessee General Assembly passed up an opportunity to expand educational freedom for Tennessee families. If past is prologue, the legislators who stood at the schoolhouse door have no right to make sure their constituents are satisfied with them. You may soon find out that you’re not,” Bedrick said.
In an interview with FOX News Digital in March, Lee touted “America’s current revolution around school choice.” Lee called for a $400 million bill to overhaul public school achievement tests and implement universal school choice advances in the state Legislature.
Despite initial support, Lee’s vision remains ambitious in a state where local Republicans remain skeptical about losing limited public school funding in their districts. It was regarded as Local elected officials tend to oppose school choice policies because local public schools tend to lack the options found in suburban and urban communities.
Tennessee Educators Association (TEA) President celebrated The bill failed to pass the state Legislature and was criticized as an effort to “siphon tax dollars” from public schools.
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“Ninety percent of Tennessee’s students are educated in public schools, and today is a great day for them and their parents. On behalf of our students, I want to thank our legislators for standing up strongly for our state’s children. ” said TEA President Tanya T. Kennedy. Coates said. “We have seen many bad voucher policies passed across the country, none of which delivered on the promise of benefiting parents or students. I hope we focus on good policy as we return to “Ensuring good public schools in every region is ultimately what parents and students want.” That’s why. ”
Coates referred to the wave of red states passing universal school choice laws, a phenomenon that Tennessee sought to join. Alabama is the latest state to join the fray.
Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow with the American Federation for Children, slammed Diane Ravitch for encouraging parents to choose public schools after sending their children to private schools.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
