Representative William Slater, R-Gallatin, received recognition on Thursday for his leadership to expand public school choice in Tennessee.¶
Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) Action awarded Slater with its TSS Action Hero Award at Welch College, where Slater serves as the Dean of Adult and Online Studies. He’s the second of four lawmakers who will receive the award this year, following Senator Adam Lowe’s, R-Calhoun, recognition last month.¶
"Tennessee students deserve the very best during their educational journeys. I'm committed to making that a reality for every child and giving them the foundation they need for a successful future," Slater said. "Republicans worked hard during the 114th General Assembly to support students, teachers and school districts. I'm grateful to Tennesseans for Student Success for this recognition, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen K-12 education across the Volunteer State."¶
Public School Choice Support
The political action committee says it chose Slater for recognition because he championed public school choice by sponsoring legislation to reduce barriers families face in enrolling their children in schools outside the district where they live, sometimes called open enrollment.¶
Slater also received accolades from TSS Action for sponsoring legislation to improve the charter school application process.¶
"Representative William Slater was a true champion of public school choice this year, and that made him an easy selection to receive our TSS Action Hero Award,” said Lana Skelo, Tennesseans for Student Success President and CEO. “Slater made the case to reduce barriers to open enrollment, and he carried legislation that streamlines the approval process for high-performing public charter schools. We’re excited to work with leaders like him who share our commitment to policies that give every student a chance at success regardless of the zip code where they live."¶
Slater served as the chair of the House Education Administration Subcommittee and as a member of the House Education Committee this year. He also served on the Advisory Committee on Innovations in K-12 Education, which made multiple recommendations this year to improve public education while ensuring strong accountability.¶
After receiving the award, Slater told the Tennessee Firefly that expanding public school choice is a priority for him in part because it drives parental engagement.¶
“You know, in Tennessee we already have some public school choice, but we need to expand that so that every single student has the opportunity to attend the public school that they would choose,” Slater said. “One of the reasons that that's so important is when a parent chooses a school for their son or daughter, then they're more engaged in what's taking place. And engagement is one of those fundamental keys to making sure that improvement takes place in education. And engagement is one of the keys for learning to take place in every single classroom.¶
TSS Action plans to recognize two other lawmakers later this year with Hero awards. TSS Action is the political action committee of Tennesseans for Student Success. The Tennessee Firefly is a project of and supported by Tennesseans for Student Success.¶
