Bill > SB6001

This bill establishes the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, creating a new scholarship program that will provide up to 20,000 scholarships for eligible students to attend private schools in Tennessee during the 2025-2026 school year. Scholarships will be awarded based on household income levels and other eligibility criteria, with priority given to students from lower-income households or those with special educational needs. The scholarship amount will be equal to the base funding amount for public school students and can be used for various educational expenses, including tuition, fees, textbooks, tutoring, technology, and educational therapy. Recipients in grades 3-11 must take standardized tests annually, and the results will be reported to a state accountability office. The bill also includes provisions to protect the autonomy of private schools that participate in the program, ensuring they are not required to change their practices or curriculum. Additionally, the bill provides a one-time bonus of at least $2,000 for public school teachers in the 2024-2025 school year and makes changes to how certain state education funds are distributed to local education agencies. The scholarship program is designed to provide families with more educational options while maintaining flexibility for participating schools.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB6001&ga=114