- United States
- Tenn.
- Letter
Governor Lee's proposed statewide school voucher program is a misguided policy that threatens the foundation of public education and higher education opportunities in Tennessee. By diverting crucial funding from the HOPE Scholarship program to finance private school vouchers, this plan risks destabilizing a system that has enabled countless students to pursue higher education without crippling debt. Moreover, voucher programs drain resources from already underfunded public schools, exacerbating inequities in our education system. Instead of undermining public education through this voucher scheme, we must prioritize investing in solutions that strengthen our public schools and expand access to quality education for all Tennesseans. This includes increasing teacher pay, improving school infrastructure, supporting early childhood education programs, and ensuring equitable funding for schools across the state, regardless of ZIP code. The future of Tennessee's workforce, economic development, and social progress hinges on our commitment to robust public education and accessible higher education opportunities. I urge you to reject Governor Lee's voucher proposal and stand with the families, students, and educators who depend on strong public schools and programs like the HOPE Scholarship.