Tennessee Explores Rejecting Federal Education Funding in Push for Autonomy

Tennessee lawmakers are considering rejecting $1.8 billion in federal K-12 education funding to assert state educational autonomy.

The U.S. Department of Education building is seen in Washington on July 21, 2007. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

In a legislative proposal that would be a first for any state, Tennessee’s House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt. Governor Randy McNally, both Republicans, this week appointed a legislative panel to explore forfeiting some almost $1.8 billion of federal K-12 education funding.

The move to appoint the legislative panel this week is designed to reassert Tennessee’s educational autonomy from the U.S. Department of Education, targeting funds that support low-income students, English learners, and those with disabilities.