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HB 2286

School Vouchers - As introduced, repeals the "Tennessee Education Savings Account Pilot Program," the "Education Freedom Scholarship Act," and the "Individualized Education Act." - Amends TCA Title 49.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Bo Mitchell

Tennessee bill repeals three school voucher and education savings account programs, redirecting public education funding away from private schools back to traditional public education systems.

Placed on s/c cal K-12 Subcommittee for 3/17/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 2286

Legislative bill overview

HB 2286 would repeal three Tennessee education programs: the Education Savings Account Pilot Program, the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, and provisions related to the Individualized Education Act. This effectively eliminates school voucher and education savings account mechanisms that allow public education funding to follow students to private schools or alternative educational settings.

Why is this important

School voucher programs are among the most contentious education policy debates in America. Tennessee's existing programs redirect state education dollars to private school tuition and education accounts. Repealing them would reverse the state's recent movement toward school choice and redirect those funds back to the traditional public school system, affecting thousands of families currently using these programs and the schools serving them.

Potential points of contention

  • Impact on families already using vouchers: Current beneficiaries would lose access to scholarship funding mid-school year or mid-program, potentially creating financial hardship and requiring students to transfer schools
  • Ideological divide on school choice: Supporters view vouchers as expanding opportunity and parental freedom; opponents see them as defunding public schools and benefiting wealthy families who can already afford private school
  • Fiscal effects: The bill's actual budget impact depends on whether repealed funds are reallocated to public schools or retained as savings, which the bill text doesn't specify

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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