Tennessee House reveals massive omnibus bill that includes school voucher amendment

Chris O'Brien
·2 min read
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — All three of Tennessee’s voucher proposals are out, and all of them are vastly different.

After Gov. Bill Lee (R-Tennessee) and the Senate released their own versions last week, News 2 was the first to obtain and publish the House’s version Monday. The 39-page amendment was a massive omnibus bill, which means it contained significantly more changes than just creating a voucher scholarship.

In addition, it would increase funding for teachers’ insurance. Currently, the state pays about 45%. This bill aims to up that to 60%.

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It would also create a report studying the efficacy of the voucher scholarship plan as part of an accountability model. Conversely, House Republicans are aiming to draw back some of the testing requirements for public schools. As part of the omnibus package, high-performing public schools are allowed to not administer end-of-course exams (EOCs). Instead, they can loop in state assessments, like the TCAP, to determine a student’s final grade.

If the House version passes, third grade retention laws will not apply to private schools accepting the voucher scholarships. Instead, they will be required to take some sort of assessment approved by the state.

Many critics have raised red flags around the notion that many “shell” private schools will be created as an opportunity to make money. The House plan requires private schools to be in circulation for three years before they can accept a voucher scholarship.

To read the plan in its entirety, you can do so here.

Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

At the same time the House plan was released, News 2 obtained the estimated cost for the governor’s proposal for vouchers, as well. The Tennessee Fiscal Review Committee estimated it will cost $144 million in its first year before expanding to a minimum of $345 million in the following years. It could expand significantly more, depending on how many families accept the voucher scholarships.

You can read the estimates in full here.

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