Tennessee Launches $447 Million School Voucher Program

Nashville, Tennessee – Tennessee has officially launched a new $447 million school voucher program, part of Governor Bill Lee’s efforts to increase educational options for families. The program, part of the Education Freedom Act of 2025, is expected to attract around 40,000 applicants; however, only 20,000 scholarships will be awarded for the upcoming school year. Each eligible student attending private schools will receive approximately $7,300 in taxpayer funds to aid in their educational expenses.

The program will see participation from a total of 244 private schools across the state, including all 10 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Knoxville. Currently, about 10,000 students in Knox County are enrolled in schools that have opted into the program. Families interested in applying must do so by June 13, with a final enrollment deadline of July 15.

The interim superintendent of the Diocese of Knoxville has noted that the program is poised to benefit both current students and new enrollees, allowing families to choose the educational setting that best suits their needs. However, many private schools have reported capacity challenges, leading to waitlists for certain grades as demand soars.

Once families notify the state about their school choice, school leaders will have the discretion to accept students based on inquiries made regarding each individual. It is important to note that students from independent home schools and umbrella church-related home schools are not eligible for these vouchers. To ensure fairness, half of the available scholarships have been designated for low-income families.

The total estimated cost of the program is approximately $447 million, which is funded by taxpayer dollars. Should applications reach 75% of the capacity of schools, an additional 5,000 scholarships will be made available in the following year. The program is expected to launch smoothly in time for the 2025-26 school year.

Several accountability measures are included within the legislation. Regular audits and standardized tests for participating students will uphold educational standards. In addition, families will receive aggregated and anonymized test results to be shared with state researchers to further assess the program’s impact and effectiveness.

While the program aims to boost educational freedom for families, concerns have been raised regarding how it might affect public schools and the adequacy of support for students with disabilities. The bill passed amid bipartisan debate in both the House and Senate, with discussions lasting several hours. Various amendments related to accountability and monitoring of demographics were proposed but ultimately rejected by a Republican majority.

This initiative also creates new opportunities for public school teachers, as the legislation outlines a potential $2,000 bonus for educators in districts that opt to participate in the program. Families seeking further information about the school voucher program can find details on the state’s dedicated Education Freedom Scholarship webpage.