Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed the Educational Freedom Act of 2025 earlier this week, creating 20,000 educational scholarships for students for the 2025-2026 school year. The bill also gives all public school teachers a one-time, $2,000 bonus for the current school year.
This legislation is part of a growing movement toward giving families the freedom to choose the best type of education for their children, allowing them to thrive and succeed.
At the bill’s signing, the governor said:
The legislation, H.B. 6004, was passed in a special session of the General Assembly, with the House approving the measure by a vote of 54-44 and the Senate with a 20-13 vote.
According to the governor’s Education Freedom website, “20,000 scholarships will be available to Tennessee students.” This includes:
10,000 scholarships for students at or below 300% of income qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, have a disability, or are eligible for the existing ESA [Education Savings Account] program.
10,000 additional scholarships available to a universal pool of students entitled to attend a public school.
The scholarships, amounting to a little over $7,000, can be used for tuition and fees at a private school of a family’s choice, along with textbooks, instructional materials and uniforms at the private school. Money can also be used for transportation, tutoring and computer technology for educational needs.
In addition, “There will be an automatic growth trigger of 5,000 additional scholarships for each year after 75% of total scholarships are taken in the prior year.” The bill denies scholarships to students who cannot establish their “lawful presence in the United States.”
The Education Freedom Act was applauded by groups who want parents and families to have more freedom in choosing the education that best fits their children’s needs.
Americans for Prosperity Tennessee State Director Tori Venable released a statement thanking the governor and state legislators who supported the measure, saying, “Today marks a historic moment for Tennessee families and students. We applaud Governor Lee for his work to provide Tennessee kids with the best educational opportunities to fit their individual needs, from crafting this legislation to signing it into law.”
She explained that the organization had “ been a strong advocate for school choice, directly connecting with nearly 200,000 Tennesseans at their doors and over the phone in the past year alone.” Venable added, “We’re proud to see this massive win after combined years of policy and political work to empower parents across the Volunteer State.”
The American Federation for Children also celebrated, with Vice President of Government Affairs Ryan Cantrell saying:
Related articles and resources:
Focus on the Family’s free parenting resource Equipping Parents for Back to School explains issues like educational freedom, parental rights in education, and religious freedom and free speech in schools. It’s a terrific resource for parents who want to advocate for their children and guide them toward academic success.
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