Dr. Justin Robertson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, is sounding the alarm over Tennessee’s push to expand its school voucher program. He calls it a serious threat to the future of public education—and he’s not alone.
The growing debate around vouchers is heating up across the country, with educators, lawmakers, and parents weighing in on how these programs affect students and school systems.
What Are School Vouchers?
At their core, school vouchers let parents use public funds to pay for private school tuition—including religious schools. The goal is to offer families more options, especially those in struggling districts.
But critics argue that this system redirects taxpayer dollars away from public schools—without holding private institutions to the same standards or oversight.
Where Vouchers Are in Use?
As of early 2025, 30 states and Washington, D.C. have some version of a private school choice program. Ten states and D.C. offer traditional voucher systems. States like Arizona, Florida, Indiana, and Louisiana have moved toward universal access—opening vouchers to nearly all K-12 students regardless of income or location.
The Case Against Vouchers
Critics of the voucher program say these programs come at a cost: less money and fewer resources for the majority of students who remain in public schools.
They also raise accountability issues. Unlike public schools, private schools receiving voucher money often aren’t required to follow the same academic standards, testing requirements, or transparency rules.
And the results aren’t always better. A widely cited study of Louisiana’s voucher system found that students who switched to private schools under the program actually performed worse than their peers who stayed in public schools.
Why Tennessee Educators Are Concerned
In Tennessee, the state’s plan to expand its voucher program has educators like Dr. Robertson deeply concerned.
He warns that the move could hit rural and underserved communities the hardest, draining resources from public schools that are already stretched thin.
“We should be investing in the schools that serve the vast majority of our kids,” Robertson has argued, “not shifting public dollars to private institutions that don’t serve all students equally.”
He and other local leaders fear that expanding vouchers will deepen existing inequalities and leave public schools with even fewer tools to serve high-need populations.
A Larger National Debate
Tennessee’s proposal is part of a broader national push for school choice—one that’s being championed by some policymakers and conservative think tanks.
Supporters say vouchers empower parents and foster competition. But critics warn they may erode the public school system, creating a two-tiered education landscape.
As the state weighs its next steps, Dr. Robertson and others are urging lawmakers to consider the long-term consequences—not just for students who opt out, but for the entire public education system.
