(The Center Square) – The Tennessee Department of Education received more than 50,000 applications for Education Freedom Scholarships, but lawmakers from both parties said they still have questions about the program.
The program awarded $7,295 to 20,000 students in its inaugural year and will expand by 5,000 each year after. The application period for students who did not receive the scholarships in its first year opened Monday.
The number of applications includes students who received the scholarships last year and new applications, according to Gov. Bill Lee’s office.
“As demand for Education Freedom Scholarships continues to grow, I look forward to working with the General Assembly to increase the number of available scholarships for the 2026-27 school year,” Lee said. “It’s clear that Tennessee parents want choices when it comes to their child’s education, and expanding access to this program will ensure every child has an opportunity to thrive, regardless of income or ZIP code.”
The program received pushback from both parties when it was approved during a 2025 special session.
“The majority of people using vouchers are already in private schools,” said Senate Democratic Caucus Chairwoman London Lamar in an interview with TCS on Thursday. “It was marketed as a way to help low-performing students or students who are disadvantaged access private schools and that’s not what’s happening. It’s people already in private school basically getting a coupon.”
Rep. Jody Barrett agrees. The Dickson Republican has filed a bill with Republican Sen. Page Walley of Savannah that would require the Department of Education to provide an annual report that includes information on who is receiving the money.
“The biggest concern is just making sure that if we’re going to create a program that we’re labeling as a freedom scholarship or providing some sort of access to escape failing schools, then we want to make that the money we’re spending that is the taxpayers month, not ours, is being spent wisely and effectively and actually accomplishing the goal the the bill is being held out to achieve,” Barrett said in an interview with TCS.
The Education Freedom Scholarship is facing a legal challenge from five organizations representing 10 plaintiffs who said the scholarship program diverts money from public schools and discriminates against students with disabilities. The suit is pending in Davidson County Chancery Court.
The program cost $144 million in its first year. If lawmakers decide to extend the program beyond the 5,000 allowed by law, the question would be where the state would get the money in a tight budget year. Lee will not release his budget until the first week of February.
State officials are encouraging families who have not applied to do so by the Jan. 31 deadline.
“Entering the program’s second year with even more interest statewide is a clear indicator that the EFS Program is successfully expanding educational choices for families,” said Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds.
