Lawmakers and former Teacher of the Year give mixed reactions to new voucher legislation
Gov. Bill Lee discusses the need for voucher legislation during a 2023 press conference. (Photo by George Walker IV/Associated Press)
Governor Bill Lee’s new plan to reintroduce school choice legislation next year and open up public tax dollars for private school enrollment is finding mixed reactions across the state.
Republican leaders filed the Education Freedom Act of 2025 this week, which aims to establish statewide school choice, “giving every Tennessee family the opportunity to choose the educational path that best suits the needs of their child.” An announcement about the legislation said it will make “historic investments in public education while preserving the future fiscal integrity of public schools,” and will fund 20,000 scholarships for Tennessee students starting in the 2025-26 school year.
In addition, the legislation will devote half of those scholarships to students from families who meet income requirements and other special populations, and ensure state funding to school districts doesn’t decrease from one year to the next due to enrollment declines. The plan, sometimes referred to as school vouchers, also includes no reduction in testing and additionally requires participants in grades 3 through 11 to either take a nationally standardized achievement test or the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP).
Supporters of the voucher plan also included a $2,000 bonus for teachers, in an apparent attempt to garner more support from educators in teachers’ unions and others traditionally opposed to voucher legislation.
The plan has been mostly met with the support of Republicans in the General Assembly, who retained their same majority following this week’s election. Lee and other GOP lawmakers said they believe the new version of the voucher bill is more balanced than previous versions, which ultimately failed due to differences between the Governor’s plan and the versions proposed by the House and Senate.
“As we continue to invest in public education, nearly doubling the amount of state funding over the last decade, parents and families deserve the freedom to use their hard-earned tax dollars to provide the best opportunity for their children to achieve,” House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, said in a public statement about the new legislation.
“Families should not be limited by their zip code, failing school system or their income. Giving parents the ability to choose for their child will provide more opportunities and reduce poverty throughout our state,” Sexton continued. “Increased competition for a student’s enrollment will make schools, school systems, and administrators meet the need for a higher quality of education.”
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge said in an announcement that he is “grateful for Governor Lee's leadership on this issue” and looks forward to working through the details of the new legislation with other lawmakers during this session.
“School choice is a critical piece of the education puzzle,” he remarked. “Expanding options for parents will ensure choice, not geography, determines student success.”
While Republican leaders appear confident that the new legislation strikes the balance needed to pass this time, educators from teachers’ unions and Democratic Party leaders have continued to voice their opposition to school choice legislation pushing for vouchers.
"It’s remarkable to see voucher advocates continue to pursue a failed policy just hours after voters in multiple Republican states strongly rejected vouchers on the ballot last night," Tennessee Education Association President Tanya Coates said in a public statement.
"Teachers aren’t fooled by the promise of a small bonus in exchange for a bill that would lead to public schools closing across the state. This proposal is still a voucher bill, no matter how it’s dressed up. The people of Tennessee have clearly said that this is not in the interests of our state.”
Missy Testerman, an educator in Rogersville City Schools and 2024 National Teacher of the Year, tweeted out her opposition on the social media platform X saying one-time teacher bonuses promised in the legislation will not be enough to bring opponents on board.
“One time teacher bonuses are not going to improve TN’s low teacher pay issue. Teachers I am hearing from are very insulted that the sponsor of this bill thought any devoted TN teacher would be willing to erode the future of public education for a one-time, taxed bonus of $2000,” she said.
Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville echoed the same sentiment on social media.
“Same scam, different language. Tennessee Democrats will fight to protect public schools and our students. Every day. In every way necessary,” he said.
