Tennessee Approves Universal School Voucher Program After Intense Debate

The new legislation, championed by Gov. Bill Lee, removes income restrictions and allocates $7,000 scholarships for private education, sparking both praise and criticism.

• The Education Freedom Act, passed by Tennessee's legislature, will provide 20,000 education vouchers worth approximately $7,000 each in the 2025-2026 school year.
• Half of the vouchers will be reserved for students who are lower income, disabled, or otherwise eligible, with the remaining available to any public school student.
• The program removes income restrictions, allowing families of all income levels to access public funds for private education, with about 65% of vouchers expected to go to students already attending private schools.
• The legislation includes $2,000 one-time bonuses for teachers and guarantees public school districts will not lose state funding due to student departures in the first year.
• Critics, including Democrats and some rural Republicans, argue the program disproportionately benefits wealthier families and lacks sufficient protections for students with disabilities.

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