Article XI, Section 12 the Tennessee State Constitution states, "The state of Tennessee recognizes the inherent value of education and encourages its support. The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance, support and eligibility standards of a system of free public schools."
Behind Health Care, Tennessee has dedicated more funding to Education than any other Department in the state - to the tune of 5.6 billion dollars. All too many times funding has not turned into results. While we have gained in education over the past few years there is so much more we can do. It is crucial we maintain support and funding for high quality education to create a workforce our businesses require for a thriving economy.
Below are issues and topics I feel will improve education in Tennessee. If there is an issue
Vouchers
The Tennessee Supreme Court recently ruled Governor Lee's education savings account program (vouchers) constitutional. I do not believe public funds should be used to pay for private school tuition resulting in funneling money out of the public school system. It is estimated $225 million may be diverted from the two counties the program is active, Davidson and Shelby.
I voted "no" on the House floor and after a 49-49 tie, a member flipped his vote when assured his county would be exempt. While a three-year pilot program, I support efforts to repeal the education savings account law.
Charter Schools
Current state law allows charter school operators that have been denied twice by local school districts to appeal to the state. What does that mean? The Commission, members appointed by the governor, is not composed of school superintendents, school board members or teachers. It's an unelected group of true-blue believers in charter schools and has the authority to overturn a decision made by a duly elected body the people voted into office. The Commission can order taxpayer money to be spent on privately- operated schools, school districts say they just don't need. Recently, the Commission overruled the Metro School Board approving two new charter schools in southeast Davidson County.
During the State of State address earlier this year Governor Lee expressed formalizing an agreement to open charter schools run by Hillsdale College. The Governor committed to opening 100 charter schools across Tennessee. Hillsdale College is known for politically and religiously conservative values. The college was founded by Baptists and has preserved its Christian identity, which it has infused with intellectual, cultural and political conservatism.
Charter schools do not have to operate by the same rules as district schools and do not have to be as transparent about how they spend public money. Further, charter schools are run by private boards who do not have to be accountable to the public. Continuing to open and fund new charter schools force school districts to delay or cancel constructing new public schools. Last, charter schools can deny undesirable students through an application process leaving them to public schools to educate.
I am committed to repealing Public Chapter 219 that created the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission.
School Safety
Our children, teachers and staff need and deserve to be safe and feel secure at school. They all desire to learn and work in a positive environment. This can be achieved without arming teachers. It will take law enforcement, mental health providers and educators within each school working together with the support of the community and government to provide the sponsorship and resources necessary to promote productive classrooms and a safe work space.
We need to establish community partnerships, acknowledge and address the lack of discipline in the classrooms, and prevent the bullying of fellow students. The goal is to get to the student before the student gets to a gun or other weapon.
I am in favor of improving mental health services for students by funding salaries for school counselors and child psychologists.
School Construction
As Davidson County continues to grow, our schools will continue to become more and more overcrowded. The State needs to tie financial assistance to the growth percentage of a county to help with the construction of new schools easing the financial burden on local governments. I am in support of the Tennessee Rapid Growth School District Fund.
The fund will provide moneys through capital improvement grants to Local Education Authorities (LEA) with a minimum average growth of two percent in average daily membership (ADM) over the five fiscal years immediately preceding fiscal year 2020- 2021. The grant money will allow other crucial local funds go to daily operations.
Early Education
Early education is the building blocks to all learning. I continue to support early childhood education with efforts to provide quality universal pre-kindergarten in Tennessee to help prepare our young children for school so they can begin to learn on day one of Kindergarten. If a student is not proficient by third grade, they are four times more likely to drop out of high school and 60% less likely to pursue a post-secondary degree.
One step I would like to promote is to expand evidenced-based home visiting programs to provide early parenting support for families in need. These home visits provide an unprecedented opportunity to reach families and communities at-risk for health disparities, but also can include an education assessment creating a path of travel for a child. Educating parents on best practices can get a child on the right course and change their future.
Dreamers
"Dreamers" are young people who were brought to this country by undocumented parents and are American in every way, except on paper. There are over 8,000 Dreamers in Tennessee. Dreamers have grown up in this state and consider themselves to be Tennesseans. These young people speak English, are educated here, and most have never stepped foot in the country of their birth after coming here with their parents. They are friends with my children and have been in my home.
It is time we extend "in state" college tuition to these young people. It makes no sense for society to invest in these children k-12 and then abandon them when they seek a higher education to create better opportunities for themselves and for society. To deport a Dreamer who will eventually start a business and employ people in another country instead of here in Tennessee is illogical.
The federal government without question should be able to create a path of travel to citizenship and have the Dreamers come out of the shadows, work legally, and live without fear of deportation. They can help drive economic growth, keep families together, promote education and community integration, and strengthen civic ties.
I will support and co-sponsor a resolution requesting the federal government to make this happen.
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