Alex Tyler, a senior at Lighthouse Christian School in Antioch, is one of over 2,400 students in Tennessee enrolled in private schools through the state’s Education Savings Accounts program. Lawmakers are considering expanding the program statewide, drawing criticism from opponents who argue that it diverts funding from public schools. Test scores from the first year of the program show that ESA students performed lower than their public school peers. However, parents participating in the program have expressed overwhelming satisfaction with their children’s academic growth. Vivian Jones reported
Alex Tyler, a confident senior at Lighthouse Christian School in Antioch, radiates joy as she walks through the school halls. With her involvement in soccer, volleyball, and leading the worship team for the school chapel, Alex is an active and well-rounded student. Her favorite subject is English, and she has big dreams for her future. After graduating from college, she aspires to attend law school and specialize in immigration or family law.
Alex’s educational journey has been diverse. Before enrolling at Lighthouse, she experienced public school and homeschooling. Five years ago, her family relocated from Rochester, New York to Nashville. Alex shares that her father was determined to find the best education for his children and was not willing to settle for the public school in their zoning area. Fortunately, Lighthouse Christian School has provided the perfect fit for Alex, allowing her to thrive academically and personally. However, she acknowledges that her attendance at Lighthouse would not have been possible without the state’s Education Savings Accounts (ESA) program.
Alex is just one of over 2,400 students in three Tennessee counties who are currently benefiting from the ESA program. This program enables students to attend private schools with their tuition and other expenses covered by public funding. Lawmakers are now discussing the possibility of expanding the program statewide, which has generated both support and criticism. Activist groups are actively campaigning for the expansion, while opponents argue that there is insufficient data to determine the program’s effectiveness.
Governor Bill Lee expresses his support for expanding educational choices for parents statewide. He believes that providing parents with the option to choose the best school for their child is a valuable service. However, he has not yet confirmed whether he will propose a statewide school choice expansion bill next year.
While there are differing opinions on the ESA program’s expansion, feedback from parents involved in the program has been overwhelmingly positive. According to the Department of Education’s parent satisfaction survey, 91% of parents reported being very satisfied with their child’s academic growth. Alex herself expresses gratitude for the ESA program, recognizing that it provides opportunities for children who may not have the financial means to attend schools like Lighthouse Christian School.
Tennessee’s voucher program, which offers state funds to qualifying low- and mid-income students, remains a controversial topic. Critics argue that the program diverts taxpayer dollars away from underfunded public schools and towards private and religious institutions. The program faced legal challenges and sparked a lawsuit that lasted three years before being ruled constitutional by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2022.
Implementing the ESA program posed challenges for school administrators, particularly due to the swift rollout and initial lack of staffing in the state ESA office. Despite these obstacles, schools like Lighthouse Christian Academy and Grace Baptist Academy have successfully enrolled many students through the program. The number of participants has grown significantly, with over 3,400 students applying to join the program this year.
For students like Landon and Briley Warner, who enrolled in Greater Praise Christian Academy through the ESA program, the switch to a new school has been transformative. Their mother, Tyra Warner, noticed the benefits of smaller class sizes and more personalized attention from teachers. Both children have experienced significant improvements in their grades, with Briley excelling in math and science and Landon developing a newfound passion for reading.
While parents are witnessing positive changes in their children’s academic performance, TCAP test scores from the first year of the ESA program indicate that participating students performed worse than their public school peers. Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds acknowledges this data but emphasizes that it only represents a limited sample size. The program’s effectiveness and impact on student achievement will continue to be monitored and evaluated.
Overall, the ESA program has provided opportunities for students like Alex Tyler to receive a quality education at a school of their choice. While the debate over expanding the program continues, the experiences and success stories of students and parents involved in the program highlight the potential benefits it can offer..