Photo by Marta W. Aldrich / Chalkbeat Tennessee

As people of faith in the United Methodist Church, we believe that the right to education can “best be fulfilled through public elementary and secondary schools and to post-secondary schools of their choice. (The United Methodist Social Principles ¶ 164.E).”  

The TWK Board of Church and Society has issued a call to action to urge lawmakers to vote against the expansion of the education voucher program across Tennessee. Because the program eventually would not be based on family income and student need, vouchers would benefit mostly families who are already enrolled in private schools - and hurt families that remain in public schools, whether in urban, suburban, or rural districts. We need greater support, not less, for children and teachers in rural and urban public school systems to make sure that all students have access to quality education.