NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Starting on May 15, families wanting to participate in Tennessee's voucher program can apply to the state program.
Students for participating families will receive $7,295 to attend a school of their choice. The state is dubbing the program the EFS program, Education Freedom Scholarships, which was the name of the bill.
Nearly 100 schools in the NewsChannel 5 viewing area are registered to participate.
You will be able to register on the Tennessee Department of Education website.
How this should work to get the tuition money
- To participate in the tuition money, families must show their students are enrolled in a private school before accessing the money. It doesn't cover room, board or meals that some private schools provide in their plans.
- For testing, the state Office of Research and Education Accountability will look at the test results from the students using the tuition money. The department will select a pool of students in third through eighth grade, which is the TCAP testing window grades.
- A waitlist number will be given to families so they understand where they fall if the number exceeds 20,000.
- For special needs kids, the scholarships don't increase for additional student needs. They are tied to that figure in the law. So more money is not available beyond the $7,295 for students with different needs.
Schools wanting to participate
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at emily.west@newschannel5.com.
Music lessons for just 50 cents! A Nashville music school has been providing that to area students for over 40 years including for the city's current mayor. As a child, I always wanted to take piano lessons. I was able to for about 6 months but had to stop due to family finances. I would have loved to have had access to a program like this at the W. O. Smith Music School.
- Lelan Statom
