NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton has pushed to at least double the number of Education Freedom Scholarships, or school vouchers, available in the state next year.

The vouchers, which the General Assembly approved during a special legislative session in January, use public money to pay to send students to private school if their parents choose. Lawmakers budgeted for 20,000 vouchers worth a little more than $7,000 in the program's first year, reserving half for "income-limited" families making less than $173,000 a year, and half for families with any income.

According to the state, almost 42,000 families requested a voucher when the application period opened this past spring. Sexton believes the demand is there to expand the program.

Sexton's office issued News 2 the following statement:

"The public’s response to EFS was overwhelming. The Speaker is committed to at least doubling the EFA scholarships to meet the demand from this year’s application process.  Our goal is to ensure parents are in control of their child’s education by having additional opportunities and access to a quality education — no matter their ZIP code or family income."

Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN) previously told News 2 he plans to include funding in his next proposed budget to expand the number of scholarships available, which must then be approved by lawmakers.

“I just hope that the recognition that so many Tennesseans wanted this — the applications were so many that [they] outnumbered the number available,” Lee said. “I’m hoping that we’ll be able to, through the General Assembly, provide more scholarships for Tennessee families.”

Some Republicans said they support the governor's plan so more Tennessee families can choose the best educational option for their child.

"It's very early as far as what an expansion might look like, but I think we can start with one number, and that's 42,000," Rep. William Slater (R-Gallatin) said. "Here are 42,000 families who would like to choose the school that works best for their child, and 42,000 is a pretty good number to me." 

However, some critics have argued that the high demand doesn't justify an expansion. In addition, some Democrats told News 2 there is no data available indicating the program is working or helping students.

Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) called an expansion "fiscal recklessness," pointing out the program's initial $147 million cost the first year alone and highlighting concerns the majority of the vouchers were awarded to students already in private school.

“This is just going to be more of the same," Clemmons said. "All this is is big government, more wasteful spending and government subsidization of private school education, and welfare for the wealthy.” 

It's unclear whether half of the new vouchers would be reserved for income-limited families, like they were in the first rollout.

The General Assembly reconvenes for the legislative session next January.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-politics/sexton-pushes-at-least-double-vouchers-2026/