Bill > HB1889

This bill establishes new audit and reporting requirements for the education freedom scholarship program, which provides scholarships to students to attend private schools. The Department of Education and private schools that enroll scholarship recipients will be subject to audits by the Comptroller of the Treasury to ensure proper use of funds and program integrity. Private schools must also provide parents with progress reports, limit tuition increases, and publicly disclose admissions criteria, tuition rates, demographics, and admittance rates. Scholarship eligibility is limited to students from families with an annual household income not exceeding 300% of the amount required for free or reduced-price lunch, and recipients must take the same standardized tests (TCAP tests) as public school students in the same grade level or course subject. The bill also mandates annual reports from the Department of Education detailing program outcomes and expenditures, and a comprehensive evaluation of the program by the Comptroller by December 31, 2029, with the entire program set to be repealed on July 1, 2030.

Education

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1889&ga=114