American Classical Education Withdraws Applications For Tennessee Charter Schools

Image Credit: americanclassicalschools.com

The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

Following Tennessee liberal media’s misinformation campaign and the dishonest opposition wrought by Democratic political candidates and anti-school choice activists, American Classical Education has withdrawn their applications to open charter schools in three Tennessee counties.

American Classical Education, affiliated with Hillsdale College, was on track to open much-needed charter schools in Madison, Montgomery and Rutherford counties that would have addressed school overpopulation problems and provided parents with school choice until the liberal media jumped at the chance for some scandalous headlines.

When a hidden camera video was leaked that showed Hillsdale College president Larry Arnn speaking at a private event and calling into question the way public school teachers are trained in universities and criticizing the educational bureaucracies that claim expertise but tend to produce teachers without crucial subject knowledge and questioned the value of education degrees, the liberal media cherry-picked Arnn’s comments out of context, soliciting outrage from many teachers in Tennessee and subsequent pandering rhetoric by some of Tennessee’s elected officials.

The widespread mainstream media coverage of Arnn’s comments was used as an excuse for the liberal-dominated school boards of Madison, Montgomery and Rutherford counties to reject the charter school applications of ACE.

ACE appealed the school board’s decisions in all three counties to Tennessee’s nine-member Public Charter School Commission, which has the power to overturn the decision of the school boards.

However, on September 29th, Former Tennessee State Senator and current ACE board member Dolores Gresham, issued a letter to the Commission which stated:

American Classical Education (ACE) hereby withdraws the appeals of the denials of its applications to Madison, Montgomery, and Rutherford counties.  

We made this decision because of the limited time to resolve the concerns raised by the commission staff and our concerns that the meeting structure and timing on Oct. 5 will not allow commissioners to hear directly from the community members whose interests lie at the heart of the commission’s work

ACE requested a delay to address concerns and clarify confusion and misconceptions raised by Commission staff in each of the public hearings earlier this month, but understand that request could not be accommodated.

Additionally, we heard from many parents and students who are on fall break during the newly reformatted Commission meetings scheduled for October 5th.  They expressed concern that they would not be able to speak and make their voices heard.  We share their concern that the voices that really matter – the parents and students in these communities – would not be able to attend.

ACE appreciates the time and effort spent by the Commission and Commission staff on these appeals and your professionalism throughout this process.  We remain committed to empowering parents and students to have access to high-quality public schools of choice.

Of note, every slot that was available for speakers during the public hearings was filled with supporters of ACE.

Correspondence posted on the commission’s website shows the group had asked for a 45-day delay before the vote, but the commission noted that it is required by law to act within 75 days of a charter school application being rejected by the local school board.

A father of three children in Murfreesboro stated that he is sad to learn of ACE’s withdrawal.  

“The greatest possible choice will yield the greatest outcomes for the largest number of families.  Every model doesn’t work for every kid,” he said, “Parents are choosing what’s right for their kids.”

The Tennessean reports that some local school board members are pleased with the withdrawal.

Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board member Jimmy Garland said, “I’m glad they finally came to their senses and listened to the people.  I never understood why we needed a charter school in the first place.”

Coy Young, Rutherford County Board of Education member, said “It’s a great day for Tennessee educators.”  Young joined the majority of the board in voting to reject ACE’s application.

Representative Mark White, who currently serves as chair of the Tennessee House of Representatives Education Administration Committee, after saying In July that any plans for Hillsdale to operate charter schools in Tennessee has been “shattered” stated that he is glad to see its charter school affiliates dropping applications statewide.

Making reference to Hillsdale President Larry Arnn’s controversial comments, White said, “I believe that’s a good decision by American Classical Education at this time due to the events of the last summer.”

On Thursday of last week, at a press conference, Governor Lee stated that the ACE’s decision to withdraw their application was “entirely their decision.”  He also stated that he remains “committed to the fact that we should provide parents choices in this state for education.”

About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative  ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career.  Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others.  He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History.  Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com