NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Education Freedom Act is about to become official in Tennessee. After being approved in a special legislative session last month, it is set to receive Governor Bill Lee’s signature. He will sign the bill at a special ceremony at the Tennessee Capitol on Wednesday afternoon.
This new plan will provide $500 million to help 20,000 students pay for private school tuition. Each student can receive around $7,000 in public funds. Governor Lee believes that families should have choices when it comes to their children’s education, regardless of their financial situation or where they live.
Lee’s initial effort to introduce school choice faced significant challenges during the last legislative session. Many lawmakers worried that it would divert money from public schools. To address these concerns, the updated Education Freedom Act now includes provisions to ensure public schools receive funding even if their students move to private schools.
The bill passed the Tennessee House of Representatives narrowly, with a vote of 54-44, followed by a 20-13 vote in the Senate a few hours later. The signing event is set for 4 p.m. inside the Old Supreme Court Chamber at the Capitol. It marks a significant step in Tennessee’s education system.
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