NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At times, tensions were high between members of the Tennessee House Government Operations Committee in discussing public dollars going to private schools, and lawmakers were up in arms about the procedural process to even talk about them.
Republicans and Democrats were pointing fingers at each other about being allowed to speak, ask questions and even move the legislation forward. The legislation passed out of committee to House, Finance, Ways and Means.
Republicans asked very few questions of their colleagues, who brought forth the legislation through HB 1183. The House bill has become a catch-all for several education-related issues in the state, but the language is all tethered to expanding vouchers for nearly all families in Tennessee. Right now, only certain families in Davidson, Shelby, and Hamilton Counties qualify for the voucher program.
Only two members of the public were allowed to speak: one for the program and one against it. Walter Blanks, Jr., an advocate for expanding vouchers across Tennessee, is a spokesperson for American Federation of Children. He grew up in Ohio and claims school choice changed the trajectory of his life.
Candace Asburn spoke in opposition. She lives in Williamson County, and when she tried to move her child with special needs into a private school, she was told by at least a dozen schools that they couldn't accommodate her child because of those special needs. She thinks if vouchers are to pass, private schools should be forced to accommodate students of all needs.
Testing issues
The bill doesn't require students who take public tax dollars to private schools to take the TCAP test or follow the Tennessee curriculum presented on those tests.
Republicans supporting the bill said third-party exams for students receiving those funds. Democrats said that wouldn't be an even representation of which kids are doing better: public or private school students.
"I am seeing a lack of academic accountability," Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, said. She was a teacher in public schools for several years. "We are talking about testing. In public schools over the past 10-12 years, this body has said testing is critical for our kids to do well. They are testing the standards are curriculum teachers. My question to you — seeing that there is not the same type of testing and teaching any curriculum they choose — how will we hold them accountable with our public tax dollars?"
Those supporting the bill said that the third-party testing would be enough for comparison.
"It would be junk science to try to compare a criterion reference test with a norm reference test. A norm reference test does measure whether there’s been growth and there’s been achievement," Rep. William Slater, R-Gallatin. "They are filled with content questions. Perhaps the question was related to alignment with state standards. Though those reference tests may not be align, it's possible for the state of Tennessee to analyze the information coming into the state who accept these scholarships or are attending private schools of whether they are achieving growth."
Funding questions
Democrats also had questions about how to avoid financial problems for the state, if the bill passes. Rep. Yusef Hakeem, D-Chattanooga, brought up Arizona. The state is currently spending nearly a billion dollars for their voucher program, in only the second year of the initiative.
"Could one of you provide me with an example nationwide where the voucher concept has worked and not busted the bank so to speak?" asked Hakeem.
"We’ve put parameters in here that keeps the general assembly in control of the expansion of this program," replied Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka.
Relationships at peak tension
When Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, tried to bring forth questions of point order, Chairman. Rep. John Ragan answered emotionally.
"Rep. Jones, you will respect the committee. Is that clear? Do you want me to gavel you out of order?" Ragan said.
Ragan tried to speed up questions from lawmakers and dictated how many follow-ups lawmakers asked and repeatedly said: "Get to your question."
"This is hands down the most important bill and most expensive budget items. It's disrespectful. My point of order is what type of show is this?" said Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, and House Democratic Majority Leader. Clemmons and Ragan also clashed over a question alleging the vouchers are stealing from public schools.
Even with all the back and forth from lawmakers, the bill passed forward to the House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee. It still has to pass the House Finance Committee and House Rules and Calendar Committee before it could be considered on the House floor.
The Senate version is vastly different — proposing a public school open enrollment program and taking voucher funding from public school allocated dollars. The two chambers will have to come to a consensus for the bill to ultimately become law.
