{"id":2049243,"date":"2023-09-29T07:44:01","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T11:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tennessee-explores-rejecting-federal-education-funding-in-push-for-autonomy\/"},"modified":"2023-09-29T07:49:23","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T11:49:23","slug":"tennessee-explores-rejecting-federal-education-funding-in-push-for-autonomy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tennessee-explores-rejecting-federal-education-funding-in-push-for-autonomy\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee considers rejecting federal education funding to gain autonomy."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftennessee-explores-rejecting-federal-education-funding-in-push-for-autonomy%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2049243&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>In a groundbreaking move, Tennessee&#8217;s \u2064House Speaker\u200c Cameron Sexton \u2062and Lt.\u2064 Governor Randy McNally, both Republicans, have appointed a \u2063legislative panel to explore forfeiting nearly $1.8 billion of federal K-12 education funding. This bold step aims to assert Tennessee&#8217;s educational autonomy\u2063 from the U.S. Department\u2064 of Education, specifically targeting \u2064funds that support low-income students, \u2062English learners, and \u200cthose with disabilities.<\/p>\n<p>Sexton initially\u2062 proposed this idea during the legislature&#8217;s\u2062 regular session earlier this year, publicly expressing it at \u200da Tennessee \u200cFarm Bureau luncheon. He firmly believes that by rejecting federal money, Tennessee can shape its\u2064 education \u200dsystem according to its own vision.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2>Related Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/tennessee-to-begin-rejecting-most-federal-funding-for-hiv-programs-5004047?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><strong>Tennessee to Begin Rejecting Most Federal Funding for HIV Programs<\/strong><\/a>  &#8211; 1\/27\/2023<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/former-tennessee-sheriffs-deputy-pleads-guilty-to-jan-6-felony-misdemeanor-charge-5498314?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><strong>Former Tennessee Sheriff&#8217;s Deputy Pleads Guilty to Jan. 6 Felony, Misdemeanor Charge<\/strong><\/a>  &#8211; 9\/25\/2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Sexton firmly believes that the states, not the federal government, are the true \u200cparents\u200c of the nation. He stated, &#8220;We should \u200cdo \u2062everything that we can to \u200cbe whole and\u2062 autonomous \u2064and independent from the federal government. But when you take federal government money, their philosophies, what they want you to do, is different than probably what the state wants\u200c to \u200ddo.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>However, one crucial aspect \u2062of\u2064 this proposal is Tennessee&#8217;s commitment to replace the federal\u200c funding\u200b with \u2062its own resources. Lt. Governor McNally assures that the state&#8217;s strong financial health makes this possible.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode post-related-videos\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>McNally emphasized the importance of the government&#8217;s responsibility \u2064to educate the youth and acknowledged that\u2063 federal dollars come with \u200dmandates\u2064 and restrictions that influence Tennessee&#8217;s \u2063education system. He believes that \u200cdue to the state&#8217;s excellent financial position, exploring\u200d alternative funding options is a worthwhile endeavor.<\/p>\n<h2>Legislative Panel Exploring Options<\/h2>\n<p>In a\u2062 letter to\u200b the clerks of both chambers of the legislature, Speaker Sexton and Lt. \u200dGovernor McNally outlined the panel&#8217;s objectives and tasks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\" style=\"margin-left:0;margin-right:0;max-width:1200px\">\n<figure style=\"width:640px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>A 2019 image of \u200dTennessee \u2063House Speaker \u2063Cameron Sexton. (Wikipedia\/CC BY-SA 3.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The panel&#8217;s responsibilities include studying and evaluating\u2063 federal education funding, identifying \u2063the amount of funding received by the \u200cstate and \u200dits subdivisions, examining the laws associated with accepting \u2063such funds, and assessing how the funds are currently used or intended to be used. The panel will then issue a report to\u2063 legislators by\u2063 January 9, 2024, providing strategies to reject certain federal funding or\u200c eliminate unwanted restrictions.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>The \u2064panel consists\u200d of members from both parties, although Republicans hold the \u2062majority due to their supermajority in Tennessee&#8217;s legislature.<\/p>\n<h2>What&#8217;s Next<\/h2>\n<p>Tennessee&#8217;s predominantly\u2063 Republican\u200d political\u200b landscape suggests\u200c favorable prospects for this legislation, with a significant\u2064 number of Republicans in both the\u200b Senate and \u200bthe\u2064 General Assembly. This \u2063move aligns with a larger trend seen in red states like Oklahoma \u2064and South Carolina, where \u200cresistance against perceived unconstitutional federal impositions is \u200dgrowing.<\/p>\n<p>However, House Minority\u200d Leader Raumesh Akbari, a Democrat, expressed concerns\u2064 about rejecting federal funds, arguing that Tennessee&#8217;s students should benefit from taxpayer dollars. Similarly, Democratic U.S. Congressman Steve Cohen \u2064highlighted the potential adverse effects on students with disabilities and families relying on federally subsidized \u2063school meals.<\/p>\n<p>Republican Governor Bill Lee expressed interest in the panel&#8217;s findings, emphasizing the importance of making decisions that benefit Tennesseans in the long term.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>According to\u200b Sexton, returning to a foundational understanding\u2063 of the federal-state relationship is crucial. He believes that the federal government should relax its restrictions, allowing states to effectively utilize \u2064their\u200b own taxpayers&#8217; money.<\/p>\n<h2>Funding \u2064The Proposal<\/h2>\n<p>A significant \u200dquestion raised in this debate is the potential \u2064financial burden on Tennesseans. Democrats argue that Tennesseans would essentially pay \u2064twice for public education, without reaping the benefits of federal funding.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\" style=\"margin-left:0;margin-right:0;max-width:1200px\">\n<figure style=\"width:640px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee takes part in\u200d a discussion\u200d on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tennessee-explores-rejecting-federal-education-funding-in-push-for-autonomy\/\" title=\"Tennessee considers rejecting federal education funding to gain autonomy.\">state-level criminal justice \u200creform<\/a> in Nashville, Tenn., on \u2064April 17, \u200b2019. (Mark Humphrey\/AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>However, Sexton dismisses this view, emphasizing the importance of state autonomy. He believes that states should regain their independence, particularly in education. Sexton is confident that Tennessee \u200dcan afford this move based on budget numbers and performance.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. \u2064Department of Education\u200c has criticized this proposal as &#8220;political\u200d posturing&#8221; that could hinder \u2064access to essential\u200c educational programs\u200c and services. They argue that students\u200d need more support, not less, especially considering \u2062the current academic recovery\u200b and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-democrats-block-ashley-hinson-bill-to-reopen-schools-with-in-person-learning\/\" title=\"House Democrats Block Ashley Hinson Bill to Reopen Schools with In-Person Learning\">youth mental health crisis<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the \u200dcriticisms, Sexton remains steadfast in his philosophy of state autonomy. This \u200dproposal reflects a desire for greater state \u2064independence and a potential reevaluation of state-federal relationships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How can Tennessee&#8217;s legislators \u2063and policymakers ensure achievement and educational equity for marginalized communities while pursuing educational autonomy and exploring\u200b alternative funding options<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Achievement and \u200beducational equity, particularly \u2064for marginalized communities.<\/p>\n<p>As the panel begins its work, the future of federal\u200c funding for\u2062 Tennessee&#8217;s K-12 education hangs \u200cin the balance. The decisions made will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the state&#8217;s\u200b education system, its students, and its commitment to autonomy.<\/p>\n<p>While the\u2064 pursuit of\u200d educational autonomy is certainly an ambitious goal, it is \u2062important to \u2063consider the potential consequences of rejecting federal funding. Proponents believe that Tennessee&#8217;s financial stability allows for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bipartisan-group-seeks-to-stop-biden-canceling-archery-hunting-in-schools\/\" title=\"Bipartisan effort aims to prevent Biden from eliminating archery and hunting in schools.\">alternative funding sources<\/a>, giving the state greater control over its education system. However, critics argue that this\u200d move could disproportionately impact vulnerable students who rely on federal support.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, the decision lies in the hands of Tennessee&#8217;s legislators and policymakers. The legislative panel&#8217;s report, expected in January 2024, will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-randomly-makes-up-story-about-being-born-in-same-hospital-his-grandfather-died-at-weeks-prior\/\" title=\"Biden Randomly Makes Up Story About Being Born in Same Hospital His Grandfather Died at Weeks Prior\">provide valuable insights<\/a> \u2062and strategies for moving forward. It will be up to the\u2063 state&#8217;s \u2063leaders to weigh the\u200c benefits of autonomy \u200bagainst the potential drawbacks and make an informed decision that prioritizes the needs of all \u2062Tennessee students.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of\u200d the outcome, Tennessee&#8217;s willingness to explore alternative funding options and assert its \u2064educational autonomy is a bold \u2062and significant\u2064 step. It reflects an ongoing debate across the country about the \u2063role of federal funding in education and the balance between state\u200d and federal\u2063 control. The \u200cimplications of Tennessee&#8217;s decision will undoubtedly reverberate\u2063 far beyond its borders, shaping \u2062the future \u200cof education policy and funding nationwide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In an unprecedented move, Tennessee&#8217;s House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt. Governor Randy McNally, both Republicans, have formed a legislative panel to consider forfeiting nearly $1.8 billion in federal K-12 education funding. This step aims to reaffirm the state&#8217;s autonomy and assert its control over education policies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1627,"featured_media":2049244,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2049243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1627"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2049243"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049243\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2049244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2049243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2049243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2049243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}