The Education Freedom Act has passed, how does it work?
JACKSON, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers have approved legislation expanding the number of families who can use taxpayer money on private schools regardless of income.
Governor Bill Lee signed a bill that will allow parents to select the best education for their children. This bill is known as the Education Freedom Act.
Senate Bill 6002 and House Bill 6004 will “Establish education freedom scholarships, Tennessee’s first ever universal school choice program and further invests in public schools by delivering teacher bonuses to recognize their unwavering commitment to student success increasing K-12 facilities funding and ensuring state funding to school districts will never decrease due to dis enrollment”
Public school educators will be provided a one time bonus of $2,000. However according to the Associated Press “In order to receive it, however, a local school board would have to pass a resolution opting in to the bonus section of the voucher bill. The requirement was added after a number of school boards passed resolutions broadly opposing vouchers.”
Senate bill 6005 and House bill 6005 “Appropriates $145.9 million for education freedom scholarships… The general assembly previously appropriated $144.2 million in the 2024 legislative session, $198.4 million for teacher bonuses, $77.2 million for k-12 infrastructure directed from existing sports wagering revenues and $2.7 million for administrative costs… ”
Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally shared “The special session scored many victories for the people of Tennessee. One more piece of the education reform puzzle has been put in its proper place. No longer will students be trapped by circumstances and geography. Parents across the state finally have a true choice in education.”
Some lawmakers have concerns of public education teaching race, sexuality and not adopting laws and rules banning transgender athletes in school sports.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton shared that “Today the legislature delivered a major victory for Tennessee families. We empowered parents with the freedom to choose the best education for their children.
With this, 20,000 vouchers will become available for parents. $7,000 will be awarded per student.
Half of these vouchers will be available for students who were zoned for a public school but would rather attend a private school. However, some lawmakers raise a concern whether private schools will accept students with learning disabilities.
There was an amendment that was offered to the House for review in favor of private schools accepting students regardless of their learning disabilities, however, it was rejected in the House.
Tennessee is one of 12 states that offer universal education. This will go into effect in the upcoming school year.
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