Tennessee Passes Education Freedom Act

Tennessee lawmakers on Thursday passed the Education Freedom Act, the plan by Governor Bill Lee and Republican legislative leaders to create 20,000 scholarships, each worth about $7,000, to help Tennessee families who choose send their children to private schools.

Lawmakers in the Tennessee State House passed the Education Freedom Act, or HB 6004, with a 54-44 majority. Later, the State Senate passed the bill by a 20 to 13 margin. The bill now goes to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee for signature.

Of the 20,000 scholarships created by the school choice plan, 10,000 will be reserved for students from income restricted families, or those with disabilities, while the other 10,000 scholarships will be available to any family with a child who is eligible to attend school in Tennessee.

The legislation also contains provisions to ensure public school systems will continue to receive the same level of funding if a student withdraws from the school system after receiving a scholarship, to redirect money made from online sports betting to maintenance of public schools, and will authorize a one-time, $2,000 bonus to every public school teacher in Tennessee.

Just two days prior to the vote, the Education Freedom Act received the support of President Donald Trump, who applauded Tennessee legislators for “working hard to pass School Choice this week, which I totally support.”

The passage of this legislation marks a victory for advocates of school choice, who usually come from the political right.