by JC Bowman
EDITORIAL: In politics, the Golden Rule is not what we are accustomed to in our spiritual walk; instead, it is, “those with the gold make the rules.” Both political parties are guilty of using every scrap of political influence and power to their advantage. During the political campaign season, politicians strive to capture voters' attention through various tactics. The 2024 Tennessee primaries feature more contested legislative races.
The Tennessee Constitution created a weak governorship by design to safeguard legislative power. Governor Bill Lee actively participates in GOP primary contests, endorses candidates, and engages in campaign events. However, the potential consequences of the Governor's support for 'universal vouchers' are not just a cause for concern but a call to action for all Tennesseans. Citizens must know the possible impact on the state's finances and education system.
Education is vital for individuals and society, and quality education should be accessible to all. This principle is found in the Tennessee Constitution. As responsible citizens, we must stay informed and voice our concerns about political decisions.
By supporting primary candidates, Lee opposes members of his political party. We are witnessing the seeds of significant changes in our political landscape. The message is “support my pet issues, or I will use my bully pulpit to oppose you.” These trends could shape our future with increasing changes in dynamics and power struggles, increased rancor, and excessive delegation of legislative power from the executive branch. Not to mention, more conflicts are likely between grassroots factions and establishment Republicans. The unfolding power struggles and changing dynamics make the political landscape in Tennessee a fascinating area of study in real-time for those interested in state politics.
Lee calls universal vouchers "freedom." In reality, they are a subsidy using taxpayer money. For example, Baylor School is a top-rated private boarding school in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It has 1,079 students in grades 6-12, with a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1. It is a great school. However, tuition is $59,400 for the highest grade offered at Baylor. A $7,075 voucher does little for their students and would likely increase private school tuition across the state.
In this case, with universal vouchers, freedom isn’t free; it costs money. Regardless of how much you are paying now in dollars, the Governor seems to believe we should be ready and willing to give even more to students who never even attended public schools. Many conservative homeschool parents and private schools do not support universal vouchers. They understand that for supposedly more “freedom,” they will ultimately surrender autonomy.
Our state has continuously expanded school choice options. Universal vouchers are a different argument. It isn’t a school choice debate, and Governor Lee knows it. Governor Lee knows universal vouchers are not much of a choice, with few available slots at private schools and no transportation for low-income students in Tennessee. There is no attempt to focus on low-income students or children in lower-performing schools. There is no guarantee of increased parental involvement.
For six years, I have listened to Governor Lee talk about his work with one student and how this interaction made him support universal vouchers. I have never seen that student speak about how his life was fundamentally changed. I need clarification on variables like poverty, single-parenthood, or parental involvement. I can assume the Governor did make a difference.
However, I work with educators who are in the trenches every day. Thousands of students can step forward and share their experiences and the impact these educators have made. Yes, all children need a responsible adult to help them navigate challenges, including education. Extraordinary teachers inspire students to surpass their expectations and reach new heights. Unfortunately, bad policies drive educators out of the profession faster than we can replace them.
The universal school vouchers in Arizona should serve as a cautionary tale for policymakers and taxpayers. Their voucher program, championed by a lame-duck governor and wealthy out-of-state supporters, cost Arizona taxpayers over $900 million this school year — nearly 1,400 percent higher than initially projected. We do not want a repeat of this fiasco in Tennessee. Marta Aldrich reported for Chalkbeat that the American Federation for Children has launched a Super PAC for the 2024 election cycle with at least $10 million to support pro-voucher candidates. Tennesseans for Student Success will likely be active through their Team Kid PAC. Other groups will also be engaged.
Public education has transformed in response to society's needs. However, it remains a flawed system and will always be imperfect. We must implement significant changes to drive innovation and improvement. Universal vouchers will do little to drive change and will undoubtedly slow progress. We know that continuously criticizing public schools erodes public trust. This strategy is designed to harm public education. In fairness, public school officials must try to understand why parents reject public schooling and do their best to remedy the situation.
If you want to see how those with the gold make the rules in public education in our state, look at a recent study from the American Journal of Education. The study examines interactions between legislators, policymakers, and policy advocates in Tennessee. The author paints a troubling picture of how state leaders have paved the way for greater standardization, centralization, and expansion of private sector involvement in educational services.
In a recent editorial, David Plazas asked some great questions, such as whether the county would be responsible if the voucher program diverted funds from public schools, especially given the recent decline in state revenues. There was debate over whether children using a $7,075 voucher to attend private schools should be required to take state-mandated tests administered to public school students. Lee's proposal would not have made that a requirement. Every other existing choice option in Tennessee has accountability built into it.
Lee’s voucher proposal provided little transparency to taxpayers and no academic accountability. They would not know how their money was spent and what outcomes it achieved. There are no requirements to take every student, teach state standards, conduct background checks on teachers or tutors, or ensure student safety. Why would Governor Lee not embrace accountability with “freedom” vouchers? Why would we not want more “freedom” for public schools to innovate? At least the Tennessee House of Representatives understood that argument in 2024.
Public education should never be used to advance politicians' ambitions. This campaign season requires active citizen engagement. Advocating for universal vouchers without accountability undermines our moral obligation to provide a quality education for all children. Using taxpayer dollars to fund entitlement programs raises questions about public policy.
The typical response to opponents of universal vouchers is to either accept them or face the consequences. Political threats tend to backfire and create trouble for those who make them. 2025 could be exciting for the 114th Tennessee General Assembly as we enter Governor Lee's final years. We know who has the gold.
EDITORIAL: JC Bowman is the Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association in Nashville, Tennessee.
