The following may be attributed to TEA President Tanya T. Coats, a veteran Knox County educator:

“The Tennessee Education Association (TEA) is deeply concerned by newly released state data showing that Governor Lee’s school voucher program provides more funding per student than Tennessee’s public schools receive on average. While public schools – which serve 90% of Tennessee students – receive approximately $7,023 per pupil, students using vouchers are guaranteed $7,295 each.

“This disparity makes clear that Tennessee’s leaders are prioritizing private school subsidies over strengthening the public schools that serve the overwhelming majority of children in every community. Rather than closing resource gaps, the state is growing disparities by sending more money to private schools while public schools continue to struggle with overcrowded classrooms, outdated materials, and educator shortages.

“The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula was designed to improve funding equity and increase teacher pay, and TEA supports those goals. However, its promise is undermined when state leaders siphon public dollars into a voucher scheme that undercuts and underserves Tennessee’s public schools.

“Public schools are the foundation of strong communities and a strong Tennessee. Every dollar spent propping up private school vouchers is a dollar that could instead be used to

• raise educator salaries to address shortages,

• provide smaller class sizes and more individual attention for students,

• expand literacy and career readiness programs, and

• ensure rural and urban schools alike have the resources students need to succeed.

“The state should invest fairly and transparently in the schools that serve all children, not create a system where private schools come first and public schools are left behind. TEA calls on lawmakers to put students, educators, and communities first by reinvesting voucher dollars where they belong: in Tennessee’s public schools.”