Tennessee Legislators Approve Expansion of Private School Voucher Program
The private school voucher legislation gained the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
On Thursday, Tennessee lawmakers enacted a universal private school voucher bill, broadening the access for families to utilize taxpayer funds for private school tuition, irrespective of their financial status.
The new law will allocate 20,000 educational vouchers worth approximately $7,200 each for the upcoming school year, assisting students with tuition, tutoring, and other educational expenses at private institutions.
Out of these, around 10,000 vouchers will be reserved for students from lower-income backgrounds, those with specific disabilities, or others eligible for the new voucher initiative.
The remaining 10,000 scholarships will be open to qualifying students, irrespective of meeting those additional criteria.
An eligible student is characterized in the bill as a resident of Tennessee “who is entitled to attend a public school, excluding students registered in home schools or church-related schools, with which the student’s parent is involved, registered, or acting as a parent-teacher in accordance with homeschooling laws.”
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The legislation further enhances teacher bonuses, boosts funding for K–12 facilities, and guarantees that state financial support for school districts will remain intact despite student withdrawals.
“I’ve always believed we can provide excellent public schools while giving parents the freedom to choose their children’s education, independent of income or zip code,” Lee said.
The governor is anticipated to sign the bill into law promptly.
This analysis draws from data gathered from eight states with school choice programs analogous to the one passed in Tennessee.
“Let there be no confusion, this is welfare for affluent families,” stated Democratic Rep. John Ray Clemmons during the debate on the House floor.
Republican proponents have justified the relaxed income requirements, claiming that parents deserve greater options, no matter their financial standing.
Demonstrators hold signs over the House floor during a special session of the state Legislature in Nashville, Tenn., on Jan. 27, 2025.George Walker IV/AP Photo
“As the proponent of this bill, I have never asserted that this program was intended for underprivileged families,” stated GOP state Sen. Jack Johnson.
Earlier this week, Trump expressed his support for the voucher program while commending Tennessee lawmakers for their efforts to enact the bill.
Reporting contributions from Reuters and The Associated Press.
