Tennessee Senate Approves Expansion of School Voucher Program to 35,000 Students
The Tennessee Senate has voted to expand the state's universal school voucher program, increasing the number of vouchers to 35,000 for the 2026-27 academic year. This legislation, which now heads to Governor Bill Lee for signature, directs approximately $260 million in public funds to private schools. The approved figure is lower than the governor's initial request of 40,000 vouchers but nearly doubles the program's current size. The bill passed with slim margins in both the Senate and House, sparking intense debate over funding mechanisms and privacy concerns. A key amendment alters the hold-harmless provision, limiting reimbursement for public school districts only to students who leave for vouchers and provided Social Security numbers. Critics, including Democrats and some Republicans, argue this change undermines financial stability for rural schools and raises privacy issues, particularly for undocumented families. Opponents also cite a state comptroller's report indicating that students in previous voucher programs underperformed compared to their public school peers, questioning the academic justification for the expansion.
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Tennessee Senate Approves Expansion of School Voucher Program to 35,000 Students
The Tennessee Senate has voted to expand the state's universal school voucher program, increasing the number of vouchers to 35,000 for the 2026-27 academic year. This legislation, which now heads to Governor Bill Lee for signature, directs approximately $260 million in public funds to private schools. The approved figure is lower than the governor's initial request of 40,000 vouchers but nearly doubles the program's current size. The bill passed with slim margins in both the Senate and House, sparking intense debate over funding mechanisms and privacy concerns. A key amendment alters the hold-harmless provision, limiting reimbursement for public school districts only to students who leave for vouchers and provided Social Security numbers. Critics, including Democrats and some Republicans, argue this change undermines financial stability for rural schools and raises privacy issues, particularly for undocumented families. Opponents also cite a state comptroller's report indicating that students in previous voucher programs underperformed compared to their public school peers, questioning the academic justification for the expansion.
The Independent World