Tennessee House speaker mulls rejecting US education money

[Jilly_in_VA]

One of Tennessee’s most influential Republican lawmakers says the state should stop accepting the nearly $1.8 billion of federal K-12 education dollars that help provide support for low-income students, English learners and students with disabilities.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton told The Associated Press that he has introduced a bill to explore the idea during this year’s legislative session and has begun discussions with Gov. Bill Lee and other key GOP lawmakers.

“Basically, we'll be able to educate the kids how Tennessee sees fit,” Sexton said, pointing that rejecting the money would mean that Tennessee would no longer have “federal government interference."

To date, no state has successfully rejected federal education funds even as state and local officials have long grumbled about some of the requirements and testing that at times come attached to the money. The idea has also come up elsewhere in recent months among GOP officials, including in Oklahoma and South Carolina.

https://www.wvlt.tv/2023/02/08/tennessee-house-speaker-mulls-rejecting-us-education-money/

Snitty and spiteful, from your "pro-life" party

[Diamond_Dog]

1. Wow I didn't realize Tennessee was so flush with money for schools

That they can afford to turn this federal money down! Way to go Tennessee!

[OAITW r.2.0]

2. Education is a problem for Republicans.

Oh well, more for the other 49.

[70sEraVet]

3. In the race to de-fund public education, there will be no winners -- only losers.

Children of migrants, children of other minorities, and trans and LGBTQ kids will be the earliest losers.
The state of Tennessee is already in a race to the bottom in Education spending.
See: https://teaching-certification.com/teaching/education-spending-by-state/

In a state ruled by Christian Nationalists, throwing off "federal government interference" is nothing to celebrate.

[Irish_Dem]

4. Yes. Defunding the US public school system will damage the entire country.