Last year, Tennessee took a historic step forward. With the passage of Education Freedom Scholarships, our state affirmed a simple yet powerful principle: parents know their children best. We recognized that education funding should follow the student and that families – not bureaucracies – should have the final say in where and how their children are educated.
That was the right decision. Now we have the opportunity to build on that success by doubling the number of scholarships available to Tennessee families. We should not hesitate.
When the program launched, demand was immediate and overwhelming. Thousands of families made it clear they are seeking more educational options. That demand equals real parents looking for solutions for their children.
As a father and as mayor of Knox County, I understand that no two children are the same. Some students thrive in traditional public schools. Others benefit from public charter schools. Still others may need private, parochial or alternative settings to reach their full potential. A one-size-fits-all system cannot possibly meet the needs of every child.
Education Freedom Scholarships simply give families the ability to make those decisions for themselves.
This is not about weakening public schools. It is about strengthening education across the board. When funding follows students, schools – public and private alike – are encouraged to innovate, improve and compete to deliver better outcomes. Competition is not a threat. It is an incentive to excel. And let’s be clear: doubling scholarships is not radical. It is a responsible response to real demand. This year, Tennessee families have access to 20,000 scholarships. With more than one million students in public schools across the state, even if we double the amount of educational freedom scholarships, we’re talking about approximately 4% of the total public-school enrollment for the state.
If we truly believe education funding is meant for students, then we should not artificially cap the number of children who can benefit. We should not tell families their child must remain in a setting that isn’t working simply because the program has reached its limit. Opportunity delayed is opportunity denied.
Expanding Education Freedom Scholarships also aligns with Tennessee’s commitment to fiscal responsibility. When parents direct education dollars, those funds are spent intentionally and with purpose. Families demand results. They want strong academic outcomes, safe classrooms, and preparation for college, careers or skilled trades. That kind of accountability benefits everyone.
Other states have demonstrated that expanding school choice strengthens entire education systems. Florida and Arizona, among others, have broadened access while maintaining high standards and improving student achievement. Tennessee has always been a leader in smart, conservative reform. We should continue leading – not fall behind.
This is also a matter of fairness. Families with financial means have always had options. They can move to a different district, enroll in private school or pursue specialized programs. Working families often do not have that same flexibility. Education Freedom Scholarships help level that playing field by ensuring opportunity is not limited by ZIP code or income level.
That is not just good policy – it is common sense.
Change is rarely easy. Even good change invites criticism. There will always be those who prefer the status quo. But the status quo should not be protected for its own sake. The only question that matters is whether children are being served. This is not about systems. It is about students.
Last year, our legislature demonstrated courage by passing Education Freedom Scholarships. This year, we have the chance to extend that promise to even more families by at least doubling the program. I proudly join Republican Gov. Bill Lee, Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Republican State House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Republican State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and many others in our general assembly in calling for the expansion of Education Freedom Scholarships available. The proof is in the pudding and the demand of more than 54,000 applications for only 20,000 spots shows that parents want more scholarships to help empower families with educational freedom and our legislators should act this session.
Thankfully, our legislators can move forward with confidence.
When we empower parents, encourage innovation and keep students at the center of policy, Tennessee becomes stronger – not just for this generation, but for the next.
Our children deserve every opportunity to succeed. Let’s make sure we give it to them.
Glenn Jacobs serves as the Mayor of Knox County. Prior to being elected Mayor of Knox County, Glenn spent more than 20 years as a professional wrestler, most notably as WWE Superstar and three-time world champion Kane.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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