In the circus often referred to as Tennessee politics, last week Governor Bill Lee took to the center ring with his final State of the State speech. Picture this: he proposed doubling down on the voucher program and increasing the voucher budget, yet he has no results to show that it works for Tennessee taxpayers, except that people want it.

Universal school vouchers are popular for those already in private schools. People are naturally attracted to the idea of free money. This concept mirrors a Roman strategy where leaders maintained power by providing free food and entertainment, such as chariot races and gladiatorial games, to appease the public. Coined by the poet Juvenal, this approach diverted citizens from political duties and helped prevent riots.

Governor Lee cannot tell taxpayers where students seeking vouchers are coming from. Are they already enrolled in private schools? If so, how does that improve public schools?

In 1969, musician Joe South wrote and recorded his only mega-hit, "Games People Play." His lyrics could serve as a case study for modern politicians. South sang: "Oh, the games people play now, every night and every day now, never meaning what they say, never saying what they mean."

Let's address the elephant in the room regarding Lee's final State of the State speech on vouchers; he doesn’t discuss loose rules and lax oversight. Transparency and accountability are vital. We readily acknowledge that low-performing schools exist in Tennessee. They appear in the public sector, the charter sector, and, indeed, even the private sector.

For years, we have been shouting from the rooftops about the need for transparency and accountability across all voucher programs. But here we are, caught in a debate that feels like a never-ending game of tic-tac-toe.

On the one hand, voucher enthusiasts are convinced they are about to unleash the free market’s hidden wonders. On the other hand, skeptics wonder whether we have forgotten the Tennessee Constitution and our obligation to public schools.

The crux of the matter? Real accountability demands a degree of standardization that voucher supporters treat like a cat facing a bathtub—lots of hissing and dodging.

This creates a paradox for voucher advocates, as genuine accountability exists only in theory, like Bigfoot. In practice, parents and taxpayers are left navigating a swamp of misinformation. How can we trust that public funds are being spent wisely? The promise of a free education marketplace is only as solid as the transparency that underpins it.

So, what’s the solution? Cue the brilliant idea of a "sliding scale" for accountability. Imagine a world where private schools that rely heavily on public funding face stricter standards. This could mean mandatory testing and the ability to dismiss underperforming schools from the voucher program.

And why stop there? Let’s require private institutions to use state-approved standardized tests for voucher students. It’s a no-brainer. Schools that can’t produce results should be barred from enrolling new voucher students. If a school can’t deliver, it shouldn’t be cashing in on taxpayer dollars like it’s Black Friday. If the argument is that private schools shouldn’t meet state standards, can we trust those same standards in our public schools? That’s a question we need to answer. 

But here’s where it gets dicey. Voucher advocates argue that accountability measures shouldn’t be so burdensome as to scare off high-quality private schools. It’s a delicate balancing act, like walking a tightrope while juggling chainsaws.

Additionally, we can conduct regular, independent evaluations of voucher programs to keep everyone honest and provide the public with data that can cut through the fog of educational spending, results, and outcomes. The Tennessee Comptroller does an outstanding job in this area.

Unfortunately, our calls for tougher accountability in the voucher legislation fell mainly on deaf ears. This ongoing tussle highlights the tension between the cherished freedom of private institutions and the vital need for public oversight of taxpayer funds.

Ultimately, school vouchers may benefit some students, but their impact remains uncertain. Furthermore, policymakers must ensure that these programs do not devolve into chaos, where the only transparent aspect is misinformation and the subsidy check. The age-old adage “let the market figure it out” is an ineffective strategy. The reality is that the market hasn’t done it yet, and it likely won’t—and eventually somebody must.

It is the legislators' moral obligation to ensure that our tax dollars are used efficiently, as excessive spending and taxation harm citizens. We have a responsibility to Tennessee taxpayers to eliminate government waste, prevent fraud, and promote efficiency through prudent stewardship. For too many politicians, there is no objective reality, only a projected one. The ritual dance of the State of the State needs taxpayers to occasionally lift the veil to see what is really going on. 

A more intelligent, results-driven accountability system isn’t just a promising idea; it is essential. When it comes to our kids’ education, we should aim for nothing less than excellence. If schools, districts, and educators are held responsible for student outcomes, we must demand and expect transparency and accountability across all voucher programs.

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JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee.