A new poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters in Tennessee reveals overwhelming support for school choice, parental control, and academically based reforms, highlighting a growing emphasis on measurable outcomes and accountability in public education.¶
The poll conducted June 8–10, underscores the priorities of voters who have significant influence in a state where Republican leadership dominates both the governor’s office and the General Assembly.¶
Chelsea Crawford, executive director of TennesseeCAN Action Fund, said the poll results point to strong public Republican voter backing for major education reforms.¶
“These numbers show a clear mandate for expanding school choice, improving transparency and performance in schools, and providing resources that ensure every child is on a path to proficiency,” said Crawford.¶
Parents as Decision-Makers¶
When asked who they trust most to make decisions about their children's education, 70 percent of respondents chose parents. Only 21 percent selected teachers, and just 4 percent picked school administrators or local boards.¶
Support for expanding the Education Freedom Scholarship Program reached 66 percent statewide, with 75 percent support among Trump voters and 77 percent in the Memphis region.¶
“What this poll shows is that the Republican party believes we can expand options while achieving support and expanding traditional schooling,” Crawford said. “People think of K–12 education policy as a zero-sum game, when it doesn’t have to be that way.”¶
TennesseeCAN Action Fund was a supporter of the Education Freedom Scholarship Act when the General Assembly <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tnfirefly.com%2Fnews%2Fgovernor-lee-signs-education-freedom-scholarship-act&data=05%7C02%7Ckaterine%40tnsuccess.org%7Ca763ca8a22d94ff9cac308ddbfcf46e1%7C43880a159b1e4b1593845d3d9003c733%7C0%7C0%7C638877619160255208%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=03BTmU9zV%2FnnJNKsUggCrqmWqGj321Uv0FmOYmw%2BvwI%3D&reserved=0" title="Original URL:
https://www.tnfirefly.com/news/governor-lee-signs-education-freedom-scholarship-act¶
Click to follow link.">approved the plan earlier this year. It will <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tnfirefly.com%2Fnews%2Fstate-to-begin-accepting-applications-for-the-tennessee-education-freedom-scholarship-on-may-15%3Frq%3Deducation%2520freedom%2520scholarship&data=05%7C02%7Ckaterine%40tnsuccess.org%7Ca763ca8a22d94ff9cac308ddbfcf46e1%7C43880a159b1e4b1593845d3d9003c733%7C0%7C0%7C638877619160277425%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Y1Hfwzqw9kE22e7bJA0l7y7TI9j95V7apWNYFyPaAU4%3D&reserved=0" title="Original URL:
https://www.tnfirefly.com/news/state-to-begin-accepting-applications-for-the-tennessee-education-freedom-scholarship-on-may-15?rq=education%20freedom%20scholarship¶
Click to follow link.">allow up to 20 thousand families across the state to use taxpayer dollars for private school expenses and tuition.¶
Widespread Concern About School Quality¶
Only 31 percent of Republican voters rated Tennessee’s education quality as “excellent” or “good,” while 42 percent called it “fair” and 22 percent said it was “poor.” In Memphis, the numbers were even lower—just 20 percent rated the state’s education system positively.¶
Seventy-one percent said that improving education is either “extremely” or “very” important when deciding who to vote for in legislative races.¶
“It’s clear that every parent understands a child is uniquely different,” Crawford said. “But when you look at the discrepancies of the feeling of quality of education across districts, the difference is stark, and you also see a demand for change among the numbers that represent dissatisfaction with the status quo.”¶
Support for Academic-Based Funding¶
Nearly 80 percent of GOP voters believe the $190 billion in federal COVID-19 education funding nationally should have made a greater impact. In Tennessee, more than $4.5 billion was allocated to schools. The state encouraged districts to direct at least 50 percent of their funds toward academic needs—a move that appears to resonate with voters.¶
- 90 percent of voters support requiring school districts to spend money based on students’ academic needs.
- 84 percent support high-dosage tutoring in math and literacy for students below grade level.
- 83 percent support real-time foundational math assessments in grades K–3.
“If we’re not measuring those achievements or successes, then there’s no way of knowing how or if our students are learning,” Crawford said. “If we’re not being precise, we can’t offer the right programs to the schools and teachers that need them most.”¶
Why This Matters Across Party Lines¶
While the poll surveyed Republican primary voters, the results carry weight for Democrats and independents as well. In a state where Republicans control most of the political power, GOP priorities often shape education policy statewide, impacting all students, families, and districts, regardless of political affiliation.¶
Understanding what drives GOP voters, such as support for parental rights, targeted spending, and performance-based reform, can help all policymakers and stakeholders anticipate legislative action and engage in informed debate.¶
Democratic candidates and community leaders may find common ground in the poll’s emphasis on transparency, academic achievement, and support for high-impact interventions like tutoring, an area where bipartisan collaboration is possible.¶
Education’s Rising Political Profile¶
As the 2026 election cycle approaches, education is expected to be a defining issue in legislative and statewide campaigns.¶
“You cannot have more local control than parents sitting around the kitchen table making choices,” Crawford said. “I think this year, for the first time, K-12 education spending became the largest part of our state budget. We are obviously allocating dollars because we believe our elected officials care about this.”¶
“The majority of people really see education as a primary issue for the people they choose to vote for,” she added. “Education is a preeminent issue, and having parents empowered to make the right decision will certainly be something we see in 2026 and beyond.”¶
Next Steps: Better Spending, Better Schools¶
Crawford said her next focus, Better Spending, Better Schools, will focus on tracking how school districts are allocating resources—and whether those investments are improving outcomes.¶
“We want to empower districts to find gaps and allocate resources to help catch students who are behind and excel,” she said. “Should a school be repaving their parking lot every year if their students aren’t able to meet third-grade reading levels?”¶
About the Poll:
The survey of 500 likely Tennessee Republican primary voters was conducted June 8–10 via live calls and text-to-web outreach. It had a margin of error: ±4.4 percent.¶
