Tennessee Senator’s School Choice Plan: Give Federal Money To Low-Income Parents

Senator Lamar Alexander (center) spoke about his education proposals Tuesday, at the American Enterprise Institute. He was joined by Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina (left) and AEI education policy chief Frederick M. Hess (right). Image: American Enterprise Institute

Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander is jumping on the school choice bandwagon. He wants to give low-income parents $2,100 dollars a year in federal money to spend on their child’s education.

Alexander wants to combine $24 billion dollars worth of federal education programs into a single pot, which states can use almost any way they like. That includes giving money to low-income parents, which they can use to send their kids to private school, another public school district, or even pay for homeschooling.

Alexander spoke about his plan Tuesday, at the conservative American Enterprise Institute. He compared it to how the federal government awards financial aid, like Pell Grants and student loans, to college students.

“What has the result been? An enormous amount of opportunity and almost everyone agrees we have the best higher education system in the world. And you have a choice to attend one of the best schools,” Alexander said. He proposed a similar bill last year, but it only gave money to parents who wanted to send their child to another public school.

Alexander’s new plan faces a tough time getting through a Senate controlled by Democrats. Asked about its chances, Alexander said, “you elect more people who agree with you.”