Tennessee
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to propose expanding school choice to 20,000 students statewide
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who led her state to adopt a universal school choice policy, is expected to join Lee. Meanwhile, Democrats are accusing Lee of devaluing public education.
Gov. Bill Lee will propose legislation this week to establish a new statewide school voucher program in Tennessee, offering $7,075 in state funds to 20,000 students to attend a private or home school of their choice in the 2024-25 school year — with a plan to open universal eligibility beginning in 2025.
Lee will unveil his Education Freedom Scholarship Act proposal on Tuesday at 2 p.m. CT at the Tennessee State Museum, according to the governor’s office. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who led her state to adopt a universal school choice policy this year, will join Lee as he outlines the legislation, according to an official familiar with the plan.
“This is an idea that I’ve believed was appropriate for a long time, and I think parents across America are coming to understand more and more is important – and that’s why we’re seeing this movement across the country,” Lee told The Tennessean in a recent interview.
Tennessee legislative leaders, and students participating in the state’s existing Education Savings Accounts school choice program will also attend the event. Key lawmakers have recently indicated movement to expand school options statewide next year. Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, chair of the House Education committee, earlier this month told The Tennessean he would pursue a statewide plan.
Lee has long been a proponent of school choice, having first proposed a statewide school choice program in his first weeks in office in 2019. His Education Savings Accounts program, which was implemented last year after surviving a years-long legal challenge, currently offers about $9,000 in state funds to 2,400 low- and middle-income students in Davidson, Shelby, and Hamilton counties.
Lee’s initial program has proved controversial. It initially passed the legislature by one vote, and some Republicans only voted for it with assurances that their counties would not be included.
More: Families tout voucher success as test scores spark doubt and critics worry over expansion
TCAP test scores for ESA students show participants performed lower than their public school peers during the first year of the program in 2022-23. School administrators say that number may be more indicative of the student population the program is designed to reach ― or administrative hiccups due to the swift rollout of the program weeks before school began. According to the Tennessee Department of Education, 91% of participating parents reported they are satisfied with their student’s academic growth during the first year of the program.
The Tennessee Education Association has pledged to roundly oppose any effort to expand the ESA program, decrying expansion as “irresponsible and reckless.” Meanwhile, Democrats already are voicing their fierce opposition to any expansion, accusing the Lee administration of devaluing public education.
How the program would work
If approved by the state legislature, Lee’s Education Freedom Scholarship Act would offer 20,000 Tennessee students about $7,075 to attend any private school, and most home schools, beginning in the 2024-25 school year.
Of the 20,000, half will be made available to students whose families’ income are below 300% of the federal poverty level, students with disabilities, and those who meet eligibility requirements for the existing ESA pilot program. The remaining 10,000 will be made available to any student currently entitled to attend a public school.
Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, eligibility for the program would be opened to all Tennessee students, regardless of income or previous school enrollment. If demand exceeds available funding, previously enrolled program participants, low-income students, and students enrolled in public schools would be prioritized.
Approved uses for Education Freedom Scholarship funds would include:
- Private school tuition, fees, and uniforms
- Textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials
- Tutoring services
- Transportation fees
- Computers, tablets, devices and tech fees used for education
- Tuition, fees and textbooks for summer and afterschool academic programs
- Fees for early postsecondary opportunity courses or exams, entrance exams required for post secondary admission, and state-recognized industry certification exams
- Educational therapy services
It is unclear whether students participating in the Education Freedom Scholarship Act will be required to take any state achievement tests.
“Everyone knows that I’m a proponent of school choice,” Lee told The Tennessean earlier this month. “Anytime we can appropriately expand choice for parents, I’m very interested in looking at it.”
Several states have recently implemented universal school choice laws that offer families state-funded scholarships to pay for tuition, books, transportation and technology costs at non-public schools that are the best fit for their child ― regardless of their income or county residency.
Arkansas, Arizona, Iowa, West Virginia, and Utah have all recently adopted such policies. Critics of such policies argue that they take state funding away from already underfunded government schools.
NewsChannel 5 and the Tennessee Lookout previously reported on some details of Lee’s planned announcement.
Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.
The Ohio State Buckeyes’ loss to the Michigan Wolverines now feels like ages ago.
Ohio State went into its first-round College Football Playoff matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers with major question marks.
Will Howard was under fire. The play calling was in the crosshairs. Ryan Day’s job security had become a regular topic of discussion.
But then, the Buckeyes hammered Tennessee by a score of 42-17 to advance to the Rose Bowl for a chance for revenge against the Oregon Ducks.
Ohio State put together arguably its best performance of the season against a very tough Tennessee opponent. The Buckeyes scored 21 points in the first quarter, immediately sending a message to the Volunteers—and the country—that they meant business.
Howard, who looked like a deer in headlights in the regular-season finale against Michigan, stepped up with a significant performance. Yes, there was the red zone interception, but in the end, it was no harm, no foul (he probably shouldn’t do that against Oregon, though).
Jeremiah Smith looked every bit of the phenom we all thought he was heading into 2024. The defense was tremendous. Day? He coached a terrific game.
But the most impressive part of this showing by Ohio State was the resolve that it demonstrated, picking itself up off the mat after a soul-crushing defeat to the Wolverines earlier in the month.
I have to admit: I wasn’t sure if the Buckeyes had this in them. Not after they mustered just 10 points against a far inferior Michigan opponent, a game in which they were physically beaten up.
And considering that Tennessee’s defense was even stingier than Michigan’s this year, I certainly didn’t anticipate that Ohio State would drop 42 points.
Nevertheless, here we are.
A couple of weeks ago, it was beginning to look like the Buckeyes wouldn’t even have a chance against Oregon. Heck, there were some who felt that the Volunteers would beat them.
It wasn’t due to a lack of talent, either. It was more due to the thought that Ohio State lacked an identity and didn’t seem to have the mental fortitude required to win a national championship.
Remember: the Buckeyes also lost to the Ducks earlier in the season as a result of some mental erros and not being able to seal the deal.
So the concerns surrounding Ohio State heading into the College Football Playoff were legitimate.
But the Buckeyes appear to have flipped a switch, and it appears that their tenacity has finally matched their excessive talent.
Now, we’ll see if Ohio State can exact revenge on Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
College Football Playoff first-round straight-up picks
Before The Snap takes a close look at the four first-round CFP games and makes straight-up picks.
The first round of the College Football Playoff is nearly complete, with the final game of the slate featuring Ohio State vs. Tennessee in “The Shoe.”
Two of the most recognizable brands in college football, Tennessee and Ohio State arrive in the 12-team playoff with at-large bids, falling just short of reaching their respective conference championship games and snatching one of the top four byes in the bracket.
Tennessee will be making its first playoff after going 10-2, which included a win over Alabama that likely is the reason why the Volunteers are in the playoff. No strangers to the playoff, Ohio State arrives with a fan base that isn’t all too thrilled with head coach Ryan Day after losing a fourth consecutive year to Michigan. A national championship is still possible, but the pressure is on for Day to deliver a deep playoff run and possibly save his job. Will the Buckeyes get a much-needed win, or will Tennessee pull off the upset in front of more than 100,000 fans?
It’s the second time Tennessee and Ohio State have faced each other, and the winner of the first-round finale has a tough date ahead of them. The victor will head west to Pasadena to play No. 1 overall seed Oregon in the “Granddaddy of them all,” the Rose Bowl Game on New Year’s Day.
When is the College Football Playoff between Tennessee and Ohio State
The College Football Playoff first-round game between the No. 9-seed Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 8-seed Ohio State Buckeyes kicks off at 8 p.m. ET at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
How to watch College Football Playoff between Tennessee and Ohio State
The College Football Playoff first-round game between the No. 9-seed Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 8-seed Ohio State Buckeyes will be televised nationally on ABC and ESPN.
Live streaming is also available on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Catch Tennessee vs. Ohio State with a Fubo subscription which has a free trial
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the favorites to defeat the Tennessee Volunteers in this first-round College Football Playoff game, according to the BetMGM college football odds on Saturday.
- Spread: Ohio State (-7)
- Moneyline: Ohio State (-275); Tennessee (+220)
- Over/under: 46.5
USA TODAY Sports: No. 8 Ohio State over No. 9 Tennessee
Paul Myerberg writes: “This is the premier pairing of the opening round and a nice barometer of how playoff games could unfold between the best of the best in the Big Ten and SEC. Given two evenly matched teams with similar traits, two factors will make the difference in Ohio State’s favor: homefield advantage and a more credible offense. Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard has more experience and better skill options. But another big game from Volunteers signal caller Nico Iamaleava could easily shift this game in the opposite direction.”
ESPN: Ohio State has 65% chance to win
According to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, the Ohio State Buckeyes have a 65.5% chance to beat the Tennessee Volunteers in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
College Football Network: Ohio State 27, Tennessee 23
Will Helms writes: “To be clear, I think Ohio State’s offense is capable of moving the ball down the field through the air, but Tennessee’s defensive line could feast against a reshuffled Buckeyes O-line. But I also trust (offensive coordinator Chip) Kelly to find ways to scheme open elite playmakers like Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. If this becomes a close game, Ohio State’s experience can make a difference. However, I like the Volunteers as one of the best bets of the opening round. The Buckeyes’ experience and depth should help them close this out, but take the Volunteers to cover in a close one that ticks over.”
Sports Illustrated: Tennessee Volunteers
James Parks writes: “Tennessee +7.5 … We’re taking the Vols to win straight-up on the road given their outright advantage on a very dominant defensive front, which should overpower a Buckeyes offensive line down two key starters to injury, while Dylan Sampson and Tennessee’s gifted ground game do the rest.”
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It has been a long time since Tennessee Titans fans were able to watch legendary running back Eddie George run the football. He was a fan favorite for years and was one of the best backs in the league during his era.
Now, he has become the head coach for Tennessee State in college.
With that being said, George still opens up about the NFL. He recently talked about his thoughts on the state of the league.
Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. did an interview with George where he shared his opinion on where the league currently stands. He is clearly a fan of what he is seeing despite all of the changes that the NFL has made.
“Oh yeah, I mean, it’s (the NFL) changed over the years to become safer, and I get it,” George said. “But the quality of the game is still the same. I love it.”
In a time where so many former players are unhappy with how “soft” the league has become, George stands out as a big fan of the changes. While the NFL has changed a lot, the product being put on the field is still good football and entertaining to watch.
Throughout his NFL career, George was known as a bruising running back. He was a nightmare for opposing defenders to tackle.
He ended up playing in 141 career game, racking up 2,865 carries for 10,441 yards and 68 touchdowns. George averaged 3.6 yards per carry in a much tougher era to run the football.
George also ended up catching 268 passes for 2,227 yards and 10 more touchdowns.
As for the current state of the Titans, things do not look great. Will Levis has been benched ahead of Week 16 and there is expected to be a search for a new quarterback during the upcoming offseason.
So far this season, Tennessee has mustered up a brutal 3-11 record. There hasn’t been much for the fans to cheer about.
Hopefully, the Titans can figure things out and get back into playoff contention. George and the fans would then be able to enjoy football with their team winning again.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
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