NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee Republicans have faced a barrage of criticism over Gov. Bill Lee’s (R-Tennessee) voucher scholarship proposal.
Some of it draws from the bill’s first draft lacking any serious methods of accountability around testing.
“This is going to hurt you more than you think. It’s going to hurt, it’s going to hurt this country,” Rep. Joe Towns Jr. (D-Memphis) said. “We’ve got to stop these rascals because they’re rascals, rapscallions is what they are. Stealing thieves, and that’s not right.”
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But instead of potentially adding in accountability for the voucher scholarships, Republicans have a different idea for public schools.
“If you are doing very well in your district and you’re innovative and your numbers are well, maybe give you a little flexibility over some of the requirements,” Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis), who chairs up the House Education Administration Committee, said.
It’s unclear exactly what the idea looks like, but Republican leadership says if a public school is doing well, the state could and should ease some of the testing requirements.