House Democrats continued their push for the removal of Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds Tuesday during a discussion about a temporary teaching license bill.
Representative Kirk Haston, R-Lobelville, sponsored the bill to allow Tennessee’s Education Commissioner to issue temporary teaching permits for courses that require end-of-course testing. The permits would only be applied for and granted as a last resort for filling vacancies.
Representative Jason Powell, D-Nashville, proposed two amendments that would have required the Commissioner of Education to have a valid teaching license to issue a temporary permit. Reynolds does not currently have a teaching license in Tennessee, though she’s enrolled in an education program at the University of Tennessee Martin to obtain one.
“How can we expect to have a commissioner that doesn’t have a teaching license to be the one who decides whether or not to issue a temporary teaching license when the commissioner herself does not have a valid teaching license? I mean, this is hypocritical,” said Powell. “For a hundred years now, we’ve required and had a commissioner of education with a valid teaching license.”
Representative Haston clarified that even though Reynolds would be issuing the license, local districts would determine if someone will get a temporary license. The process would start with the school directors notifying their school board when the district is unable to secure a qualified teacher with the license for that course.
“It’s not necessarily the decision at the end of the line that’s really a reflection of this necessity,” said Haston. “In essence, we’re really trusting our locals to make the correct decision on this and even asking for the permission of it.”
House members voted down both of Powell’s proposed amendments and passed the temporary licensing bill on a party line vote.
Powell’s amendments are the latest attempt by Democrats to question the Reynold’s qualifications to serve as Education Commissioner. State law last updated decades ago requires that the Tennessee Department of Education’s commissioner “shall be a person of literary and scientific attainments and of skill and experience in school administration” and “shall also be qualified to teach in the school of the highest standing over which the commissioner has authority.”
House Democrats believe Reynolds does not meet the necessary qualifications because she doesn’t have a teaching license and even filed a bill for her impeachment.
Representative Justin J. Pearson, D-Memphis, continued to make the case against Reynolds during Tuesdays floor session.
“I do believe it is concerning that the qualifications for our Commissioner of Education have not been met and thus is promulgating rules necessary for people to actually teach inside of our classrooms. And one can definitely surround themselves with smarter people than themselves to make good decisions and I can understand that, but empowering someone who doesn’t meet that qualification themselves is quite troubling and challenging to me,” said Pearson.
Governor Bill Lee has stood by Commissioner Reynolds praising her education policy experience and leadership. Prior to swearing in last year, Reynolds served as the Vice President of Policy for school reform organization ExcelinED and has previously served as the deputy legislative director for then-Governor George W. Bush, Special Assistant in the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs for U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, Regional Representative for U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, and Chief Deputy Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency.
“Commissioner Reynolds’ credentials and professional experience qualify her to serve as TDOE commissioner and we’re proud of the work she’s doing to accelerate academic achievement and support all Tennessee students,” said Governor Lee’s Press Secretary Elizabeth Lane Johnson in a statement in January.
