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Tennessee Assembly Votes on Expanding Education Freedom Scholarships

4/8/2026

Center

Lamberth Proposes Scholarship Expansion

The Tennessee General Assembly, led by William Lamberth (R-Tenn.), is poised to vote on expanding the Education Freedom Scholarships program to 40,000 seats for the 2026-2027 school year.
The House version would cap expansion at 10,000 additional seats, for 35,000 total.
The House bill has removed an immigration tracking requirement.
It also requires annual reports on applications and household income data from the Tennessee Department of Education.

Right

Tennessee Republicans Advance Deportation Bill

Tennessee Republicans advanced a bill that would make it a Class A misdemeanor for migrants to stay in the state after a final deportation order.
The Republican-controlled Senate passed the bill 26-6 after a 73-22 House vote.
Violators could face up to nearly a year in jail and fines up to $2,500.
Governor Bill Lee (R-Tenn.) will decide, with critics warning of clashes with federal law and courts.

History

Historical Context

The American Rescue Plan, passed by Congress in 2021, allocated $130 billion for K-12 education, reflecting a historical commitment to educational reform in the U.S. Tennessee's Education Freedom Scholarships program aims to provide 40,000 additional school seats, aligning with a national trend toward school choice. These initiatives could significantly impact educational access and funding, echoing past reforms aimed at expanding educational opportunities.

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Lamberth Proposes Scholarship Expansion

The Tennessee General Assembly, led by William Lamberth (R-Tenn.), is poised to vote on expanding the Education Freedom Scholarships program to 40,000 seats for the 2026-2027 school year.
The House version would cap expansion at 10,000 additional seats, for 35,000 total.
The House bill has removed an immigration tracking requirement.
It also requires annual reports on applications and household income data from the Tennessee Department of Education.

1 / 3