Over 33,000 applications submitted on first day of Tennessee school voucher program
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee officially launched its universal school voucher program on Thursday and state officials reported over 33,000 applications were submitted within hours of its launch.
Following the passage of the Education Freedom Act in January, parents can now apply to receive around $7,000 of state funds to be used on private school tuition. A total of 20,000 scholarships will be available for the upcoming school year to use at more than 200 private schools across Tennessee, 10,000 of which will be reserved for eligible students based on income.
Oak Ridge catholic school welcomes voucher applicants on program launch day
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday that the Department of Education received over 33,000 applications on Thursday. Families can still apply at www.tn.gov/education/efs.html. Completed applications will be reviewed in the order they are received.
'The response to universal school choice in Tennessee has been an overwhelming success,' said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. 'Families have embraced the educational opportunities that have been unleashed for their students through the state's Education Freedom Scholarship program.'
East Tennessee public schools respond to passage of Governor's school voucher bill
If the number of applications received exceeds 75% of the total number of scholarships available, the department may increase the maximum number of scholarships available for the next school year by up to 5,000.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mitchell, Worthing mayors opposed to nearby prison sites
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Project Prison Reset's task force members have endorsed construction at existing Department of Corrections sites or proposed sites in the Mitchell or Worthing areas. However, the mayors of those two towns are not in favor of the locations near their communities. Motorcycle event an alternative to street racing 'Personally, I do not support,' Worthing Mayor Crystal Jacobson said Wednesday. 'It will be financially impacting on our town in a way that I don't know if we can recover from it.' 'I don't support it just because the people don't appear to support it around our town,' Mitchell Mayor Jordan Hanson said Wednesday. 'So, I hate to be the guy that does the opposite of what the people elected me to do … I don't know better than the people I'm elected to represent, so that's what I'm doing.' Hanson says his thinking has evolved. 'When I first heard about it, I was really excited about it, the promise of jobs and economic expansion and just the betterment it could bring to our community was my initial reaction, and that's why I was like, this sounds great,' Hanson said. Now, he has a clear message for anyone considering the sites. 'If they want or the task force or the state wants it to come to Mitchell, they better really step up their game and start getting people information in our community if they really want to get people on board,' Hanson said. Jacobson is focused on the financial considerations. 'We do not have enough structure for additional housing if inmates' families or workers want to move down there,' Jacobson said. 'We just built a new sewer system that'll accommodate 130 houses, and after that we would have to go the next step up in the sewer. We don't have the money for it. We're on a very small budget.' The task force's next meeting is scheduled for July 8. Eventually, a special session of the state legislature is planned where lawmakers can learn about the group's recommendations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wall Street Journal
35 minutes ago
- Wall Street Journal
Linda McMahon: The Public Face of Trump's Fight Against ‘Woke' Education
WASHINGTON—Education Secretary Linda McMahon is presiding over a MAGA paradox. Sporting a red 'Make Education Great Again' baseball cap, McMahon this week cracked jokes with staff at the department's Washington headquarters and spoke about their work to 'return education to the states.' Just moments later, she turned the meeting over to her deputies, who proudly ticked off the ways the department is wielding unprecedented federal authority to pressure Democratic-led states to change their education policies.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Fireworks to return for Attleboro's Independence Day celebration
ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — This year's Independence Day festivities in Attleboro will once again include a fireworks display. Mayor Cathleen DeSimone said last year's laser show was 'well received by many folks in the community,' but there 'was a clear preference for fireworks' after the city conducted a social media poll. 'Last summer, after receiving the results of the poll, I asked Recreation Director Christy Clausen to lead a team of staff members and community volunteers in planning and fundraising for a fireworks display this summer,' she explained. BACKGROUND: Attleboro mayor suggests laser light show in lieu of fireworks This year's display will be at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, at Hayward Field on North Avenue. According to DeSimone, the event—which includes the fireworks, food trucks, entertainment and public safety details—will cost around $60,000. (For reference, last year's laser show was $15,000.) The funding for this year's event will mainly come from donations and sponsorships, DeSimone said. The Municipal Council also approved city funding. DeSimone said she also hopes the city can find more people to join the volunteer committee and community partners to share the costs of the event with a big milestone coming up. 'With next year being the country's 250th birthday, we are going to need extra help planning and fundraising,' she said. NEXT: Lisa Field wins special election for late Rep. Carol Doherty's Taunton seat Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
