Candidate Questionnaire

Because every Tennessee student deserves an excellent K–12 education—no matter their background or future path—the TennesseeCAN Action Fund supports candidates who champion bold, student-first policies. Our priorities are clear: high expectations, strong school options, transparency in outcomes and spending, and accountability that leads to real results for kids.

The following questionnaire will help us understand your views on Tennessee’s most important education policy issues for the 2026–2027 legislative cycle.

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About You

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Why are you running for a seat in the Tennessee General Assembly? What do you believe are the major issues and/or opportunities facing the state of Tennessee that you would hope to address if elected?

What personal experiences—professional, community, or family—shape your views on K-12 education?

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest level), rate your perception of how satisfied families are with K-12 education in Tennessee. (There is no wrong answer.)

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On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest level), rate your level of awareness of the current K-12 education policy environment in Tennessee. (There is no wrong answer.)

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Any other highlights you would like to share about your personal background?

Policy Questions

Academic Foundations

A strong K–12 education begins with academic foundations that prepare students to read, write, think critically, and solve complex problems. As a result of 20 years of consistent focus by governors of both political parties and leaders in the Tennessee General Assembly, Tennessee has made meaningful strides — in 2024, our students outpaced the national average on NAEP in both reading and math at 4th and 8th grade, and for the first time the state now ranks in the top 25 nationwide across those core subjects. These results demonstrate that sustained, student-centered reforms — from stronger assessments to evidence-based instruction — are beginning to pay off, but there is more work to do. Fewer than half of Tennessee students are on grade level in English Language Arts, and only one in three meets grade-level expectations in math. Proficiency in these foundational skills determine whether students can succeed in coursework and ultimately enter the Tennessee workforce ready for the opportunities of today and tomorrow.

Do you believe Tennessee faces an academic outcomes crisis? What factors do you think are contributing to these low outcomes and/or improving outcomes for students?

What role does the state play in tackling this problem?

Tutoring has shown some of the strongest gains of any intervention—especially Tennessee’s high-dosage, high-quality approach—but it can also be expensive to implement. Do you believe tutoring is a worthwhile investment for Tennessee students, and how should the state balance cost with the need for targeted support for struggling readers and math students?

Assessment & Accountability

Tennessee’s student achievement gains over the past decade were built on high academic standards that are set by Tennessee teachers; a statewide aligned, annual assessment; transparent data and reporting to families and the public; and a clear accountability structure to support high-performing teachers and schools. Some stakeholders are seeking to roll-back, weaken or suspend these policies.

Do you support continuing annual statewide assessments in English Language Arts, math, science and social studies for grades 3–8, and in high school English, math, biology, and US History?

What is your position on maintaining strong school accountability systems like the A-F letter grade rating that measure growth and proficiency?

Some stakeholders argue that accountability systems should focus more on growth, others argue for greater emphasis on proficiency. How do you believe Tennessee should balance growth and achievement in evaluating school performance—and why?

Transparent, comparable data are essential for families and policymakers, but districts sometimes push back against public reporting that reveals performance gaps. How should Tennessee address concerns from districts while maintaining honest, accessible reporting that keeps students at the center?

Spending Transparency

Tennessee spends billions on K–12 public education, but families and policymakers lack visibility into how state dollars flow to classrooms—or whether they produce better outcomes. The Act would establish clear, annual, public reporting so we can connect TISA funding → how dollars are spent → student results.

Do you support requiring statewide reporting on how dollars are spent at the district and school level?

How would increased fiscal transparency strengthen decision-making for legislators, school boards, and families?

What concerns (if any) do you foresee from districts or stakeholders, and how would you address them?

Career and Technical Education

Career and Technical Education (CTE) plays a critical role in preparing Tennessee students for the jobs that fuel the state’s growing economy to ensure students graduate with real skills, meaningful credentials, and clear pathways into postsecondary education or high-wage employment. Tennessee has made real progress expanding access to CTE pathways, but quality and alignment to actual labor-market demand still varies widely by region and district.

What role should the state play in ensuring CTE programs reflect current and future workforce needs rather than simply expanding course offerings without regard to labor-market value?

Should Tennessee track data in order to ensure that students who earn industry-recognized credentials actually transition into postsecondary opportunities or high-wage careers?

Successful CTE students need both technical skills and strong foundational academics—especially in subjects like reading, math and data literacy. How should Tennessee support schools in integrating rigorous academics, employability skills, and hands-on learning within CTE pathways?

Private School Choice

Tennessee families submitted over 50,000 school choice applications for 2025–26, demonstrating demand far above the current 20,000-slot cap. TennesseeCAN supports expanding EFS to at least 40,000 scholarships for the 2026–27 school year. Further, gubernatorial candidate Senator Marsha Blackburn has publicly supported expansion, giving legislators political cover and momentum.

Do you support expanding Education Freedom Scholarships to at least 40,000 seats to meet demonstrated family demand? Why or why not?

How do you see private school choice fitting within the broader landscape of K-12 education in Tennessee?

What do you believe are the biggest opportunities—or challenges—to passing an expansion?

Charter Schools & Funding

Public charter schools educate nearly 45,000 Tennessee students and regularly outperform their neighboring traditional public schools—but remain underfunded despite enrollment growth. TennesseeCAN supports increased stronger funding and more incentives to open and operate high-performing charter schools.

How do you see charter schools contributing to Tennessee’s overall public education ecosystem?

Do you support increasing state funding to ensure charter school students receive equitable resources? Why or why not?

What are your views on opening new charter schools that provide a tailored education for groups of students (i.e., a charter school that emphasizes specific curriculum & skills that are aligned to the needs of local workforce opportunities; or a charter school specifically for students with autism?)

Open Enrollment

A student’s access to a great public school should not be determined by ZIP code. Many families live just streets away from higher-performing public schools that they are not allowed to attend simply because they fall outside a district line or a school zone. This barrier disproportionately affects low-income, rural, and suburban families who often have the fewest high-quality options available.TennesseeCAN supports establishing tuition-free, cross-district open enrollment by 2028.

Do you support statewide open enrollment that allows families to choose to enroll in any public school as long as there is available space?

What benefits do you believe open enrollment would offer families, especially in rural or suburban areas?

How should Tennessee address district concerns such as transportation, capacity, or funding flows?

Broader Philosophy & Leadership

What K-12 education opportunities are you most excited about or interested in?

What do you see as the greatest barrier to improving student outcomes in Tennessee?

The governor and Tennessee General Assembly sets statewide policy priorities, investments, and programs for public school districts and schools to implement. Local school boards often control policy and oversight, while county commissions control funding.

a. How should these two bodies collaborate?

b. What leadership principles do you think should guide those decisions?

c. What happens when their priorities conflict?

Public School Advocacy

Organized union groups like the Tennessee Education Association (TEA) sometimes position themselves as a representative voice for Tennessee educators, though independent data shows a shrinking membership and significantly more diversity in educators’ views that may or may not be reflected by the union's policy agenda.

Do you believe TEA’s policy positions accurately reflect the views of most Tennessee teachers? Why or why not?

Do you think teachers feel pressure to align with TEA’s positions on issues like school choice, accountability, or charter schools?

Yes

If yes, where do you believe that pressure comes from?

If no, what contributes to that freedom?

Should you be elected, would you feel pressure or obligation to align with these groups? Why or why not?

Your Commitment to Students & Transparency

If elected, will you commit to regularly reviewing student achievement, spending data, and parent feedback when considering education legislation?

Will you pledge to oppose efforts to weaken assessment, accountability, or financial transparency?

Are you willing to partner with parent-led groups, education champions, and reform organizations to ensure students remain at the center of Tennessee’s education agenda?

Closing

Is there anything else you would like the TennesseeCAN Action Fund to know about your education priorities, leadership style, or commitment to Tennessee students?

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We can’t do this work alone. Your donation will help us advocate for the success of every Tennessee student.

Contributions to TennesseeCAN Action Fund are not deductible for federal income tax purposes as charitable contributions.

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