AFP: Tennesseans Want Educational Freedom

Jun 17, 2019 by AFP

NASHVILLE, TN – Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee (AFP-TN) today released its findings of a new survey on open enrollment and education reform in Tennessee. The survey shows 71 percent of registered voters want more flexibility for families to choose where to send their children and 69 percent of registered voters support legislation that would allow for open enrollment for every student.

Click here to view the results of the survey.

“Every family should have the opportunity to receive an education that best fits their child’s needs, regardless of their ZIP code or income. While Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) will help 5,000 students annually in counties with the greatest need, open enrollment will immediately improve our state’s education system overall by allowing for public school choice,” said Tori Venable, AFP-TN State Director. “Many school districts already have open-enrollment policies. A state-wide policy will encourage more parental involvement and make sure every kid has access to an outstanding school, whether they are in a rural area, suburb, or city.”

Background:

From June 3-4, 2019, 602 registered voters statewide were surveyed. Sampling frames and quotas were utilized to ensure appropriate sampling of the statewide, registered voter population. Post stratification weighting was conducted utilizing multiple geographic, demographic, voter, and consumer variables to ensure accurate representation.

The Tennessee legislature passed an education savings account program supported by Governor Bill Lee this past legislative session that allows select students in Metro Nashville Public Schools and Shelby Country Schools an estimated $7,300 per student to help pay for educational expenses.