Memphis, TN —
The Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) is disheartened to
learn the 12-member House Finance, Ways and Means House Subcommittee
refused to grant Representative John DeBerry’s, parent choice focused
bills a chance at a vote during its Committee meeting today. Opposing
Committee members also blocked the Tennessee Choice & Opportunity
Scholarship Act bill, which was supported by Governor Bill Haslam,
although this bill passed the House Education Committee and the state
Senate last week with bipartisan support.
“The bills that were refused a vote today would have been a step in the
right direction of increasing parents’ power to access high-quality
educational options when making decisions about their children’s
future,” said Tennessee BAEO State Director, Jennifer Littlejohn. “We
believe all children deserve a right to receive an education that will
allow them to compete globally and practice in the freedom of choice.”
The House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee denied a vote on whether
to hear DeBerry’s bills by electing not to make a motion to take up
either for a vote. One bill proposed would have allowed low-performing,
turn-around schools to recruit students outside traditional school zone
lines. The other bill would have lowered the number of votes needed from
parents to exercise “parent trigger”, which allows parents to step in
when a school is doing poorly and to make alternative decisions about
how to manage the school.
“BAEO applauds Representatives DeBerry and McCormick and Senator Norris
for showing courage to fight for the educational futures of low-income
and working class children,” said Littlejohn. “When our education
systems remain unchanged, so do the prospects of our children. Though
disappointed with this outcome, we’re hopeful we can return to the
Capitol next year and continue searching for ways to increase access to
high-quality educational options for those that need them most.”
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