School-Voucher Possibilities Taking Shape In Task Force

Top education officials are hashing out details for a school-voucher system. It would let parents divert money the state pays for public schools, and instead spend it on private-school tuition. The governor’s task force is discussing what students and schools could take part, how much money would be in play, and how the system would be held accountable.

State Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman says the task force isn’t debating whether a voucher program should exist in Tennessee; rather, it’s figuring out how one might work.

That has Jerry Winters’ hackles up. Winters is the top lobbyist for the state teachers’ union.

“Unfortunately, from the very get-go, they’ve said ‘We’re going to try to find a way to make this work…’ We have not had the opportunity to say this is just a bad idea. So yeah, I think it’s very disturbing to see the leadership of the Department of Education coordinating efforts to take more money away from public schools.”

The state could start by phasing in a small voucher program, possibly limiting it to students from low-performing public schools.

A year ago Tennessee’s Senate passed a vouchers bill, but the House was slow to follow, and Governor Bill Haslam set up the task force to study the matter. Officials expect to hone in on details late next month, and submit their report in November.

Considerations handout (PDFs)

– Page 1 (accountability, eligibility)
– Page 2 (capacity, amount, evaluation, administration, transportation)

Task Force members present:

Mr. Kevin Huffman – Commissioner, Department of Education
Mr. Chris Barbic – Superintendent, Achievement School District
Dr. Gary Nixon – Executive Director, State Board of Education
Dr. Ronald Zimmer – Associate Professor of Public Policy, Vanderbilt University
Sen. Brian Kelsey – State Senator, Germantown
Rep. Harry Brooks – State Representative, Knoxville
Ms. Jamie Woodson, CEO, State Collaborative on Reforming Education
Ms. Indya Kincannon – Coalition of Large School Systems designee / Vice Chair, Knox County Board of Education
Dr. Mary McDonald – Independent School Community designee / Former Superintendent, Memphis Catholic Dioceses