What you need to know about the ‘Education Freedom Act’
JACKSON, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers will meet on Tuesday, January 14 for their first session of 2025. One act that will be discussed may have a big impact on students and parents.
In November 2023, Governor Bill Lee introduced the “Education Freedom Act” and is now reintroducing it as of 2025.
The Education Freedom Act, also known as EFA would ultimately “Empower tennessee parents with the freedom to pick the right school for their child while giving families a choice in where their taxpayer dollars are spent.”
Currently, there is at least one school per grand division across Tennessee that has been a part of the pilot program, including Shelby, Davidson, and Hamilton counties. Governor Lee’s goal is to have all 95 counties implement those practices across the state.
We spoke with State Senator Page Walley and Tennessee Representative Johnny Shaw on their stance with this act.
“What troubles me about it we already have the 3 county pilot program underway but now we are not waiting until the formal evaluation of the effectiveness of that program which is due in 2026, to consider super sizing this to all 95 counties,” said Walley.
Along with this act, there would be a scholarship to assist students with tuition, uniforms, textbooks and tutors. This however would not be available to those that are home schooled.
“I think the benefit will be for the student that gets the scholarship or whatever get the freedom that funds. That will be the benefit of that but you’re cutting another student short somewhere across town,” said Shaw.
Some may be concerned that schools could receive different funding for sports. However, the act states it would not change funding for public schools. Aside from that, this act could potentially lead to other changes.
“What I am concerned about is I recently had a private school board member that told me they would increase their tuition by the same amount as the voucher. So, I don’t see it being any net gain for the students,” said Shaw.
Shaw says he spoke with officials in two different school systems who are not fond of this act possibly being set in place. Both lawmakers have shared they would be in full support of the act if their concerns were met with changes.
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