Opportunity For All
In early 2025, Governor Bill Lee signed the Education Freedom Act into law, bringing the first-ever universal school choice program to Tennessee and putting parents in the driver’s seat of their child’s education.
Families: Make Your Voices Heard on Expansion
The Governor’s current proposal before the General Assembly could double available scholarships to 40,000. As conversations continue, your voice can make a meaningful impact. We invite families waiting on an Education Freedom Scholarship for next school year to contact your state legislators to tell your family’s story and share how receiving a scholarship will benefit your child.
Education has the power to change the trajectory of a child's life, and every Tennessee child deserves to attend the school that fits their unique needs—regardless of income or zip code.
School Choice Success
Last school year, 40,000 students applied and 20,000 were granted an Education Freedom Scholarship. This year, applications surged to 56,000 for those same 20,000 spots – that means nearly three students are competing for every available seat.
99%
of last year’s scholarship recipients submitted a renewal application this year, reflecting complete satisfaction with the program
56%
of Tennesseans support program expansion so that every eligible student can participate
Nearly Half
of applications received this year were from low and middle income families, demonstrating high demand from Tennesseans across varied economic and demographic groups
Nationwide Success
34 states offer school choice programs, including 18 states that have adopted universal school choice, and more than 1 million students now participate in a K-12 school choice program nationwide
Parents Support
74% of parents support school choice policies, and parents are more satisfied when they choose their child’s school.
Students Achieve
Studies show rising test scores and better educational attainment and life outcomes with education freedom.
Schools Win
Public school scores, student achievement, and funding grow – school choice is a rising tide that lifts all boats.
Hear From Tennesseans
Strengthening Education for Every Tennessean
Some are concerned that more choices for families could mean fewer resources for public schools, but these two ideas are not in conflict. Tennessee can give parents choice while continuing to support public schools.
Our public schools are invaluable, and over the past five years, the Lee administration has invested historic amounts to strengthen public education.
Key Public Education Investments
- We’ve increased annual investments in public education by more than $2 billion since 2019 – the most in Tennessee history
- We modernized the way we fund public schools for the first time in 30 years, with the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) Act
- We’ve raised teacher pay each year since 2019 and gave teachers the largest pay raise in state history with the Teacher Paycheck Protection Act
Tennessee has a responsibility to deliver a quality education for every child across our state, and our commitment to parents and students will continue with both strong public education investments and education freedom for every family.
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