Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has introduced a second school choice bill to the state legislature, inspired by President-elect Donald Trump's recent electoral success. Governor Lee expressed support for Trump's plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, emphasizing the importance of state-level control over education policy.
Lee's proposed Education Freedom Act of 2025 aims to provide up to 20,000 scholarships valued at $7,000 each for the next school year, with a focus on assisting low-income students. The bill also includes funding for public schools, teacher bonuses, and a teacher pay raise plan.
Lee defended school choice as a means to cater to individual student needs and enhance educational outcomes. He highlighted that numerous states have already implemented school choice initiatives, with growing public support for this approach.
The governor emphasized the potential for innovation and improvement in Tennessee's education system through increased parental involvement and flexibility in choosing educational paths for children.
Lee's proposal also includes provisions to allocate state funds from sports gambling revenue for public school facility construction and maintenance, as well as offering bonuses to teachers and additional support for districts facing enrollment declines.
Looking ahead, Lee expressed a desire for a future U.S. Secretary of Education who understands the importance of state autonomy in education and is committed to streamlining federal bureaucracy.
Overall, Governor Lee sees the new school choice bill as a significant step towards enhancing educational opportunities for all students in Tennessee while promoting freedom of choice for parents.
