In a recent show of political alignment, Tennessee’s Governor Bill Lee sided with President-elect Donald Trump’s ambition to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education (DOE).
WSMV reported
that Gov. Lee believes the state is capable of handling its education spending more efficiently than the current federal system allows, asserting Tennessee’s ability to navigate the specific challenges faced by its students better than a bureaucracy in Washington D.C. Notwithstanding his confidence, there are concerns regarding protections for students with disabilities, yet Lee remains convinced of the state’s proficiency in managing funds for such children, as well as for those in rural areas or requiring English as a second language instruction.
Supporters of the proposed plan argue it’s time to hand control over education funding back to the states, away from the federal grasp. However, the opposition highlights that the DOE oversees critical areas like federal student loans, civil rights investigations, and special education programs, serving over seven million students. As per
Knox News,
despite the ED’s possible shutdown, Lee aims to retain the federal education funding that Tennessee relies on, which amounts to some $1.8 billion each year primarily for low-income students and those with disabilities, among other programs.
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty expressed concern over the Department of Education’s foray into social issues, which he believes go beyond its original mission. “The ideology they are trying to introduce using federal government funds to impose ideologies that certainly don’t square with the values of Tennesseans, it’s a real issue,” he told
WKRN.
Shedding the DOE entirely would necessitate an act of Congress, and with Republicans holding only 53 Senate seats, achieving the necessary 60 votes poses a significant challenge.
Lee’s advocacy for state-directed education extends to his support of the “Education Freedom Scholarship Act,” which promotes school vouchers and, as he says, gives parents of children with disabilities more options. “We know Tennessee, we know our children. We know the needs here much better than a bureaucracy in Washington D.C. does. So, I would welcome that opportunity,” Lee stated, as reported by
WSMV.
Yet the specifics of how federal education funding could continue, and what form it might take after a potential dismantling of the DOE, have not been fully articulated. Lee hinted at a preference for block grant-type funding during a discussion, wherein states would have a more direct say in the allocation and use of these funds.
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