Checking in on Tennessee’s school voucher program

Expanding access to alternative forms of schooling is central to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s education plans.

The Educational Savings Account Program gives families access to vouchers that allow students in Davidson and Shelby counties to use money designated for public schooling and apply it to tuition at alternative institutions like private schools, in addition to other approved expenses.

The act that created the program was passed in 2019, but it has been challenged in court. In today’s episode, we discuss the status of the program and talk to parents about why they might, or might not, opt to use the voucher program.

But first, we check hear the latest on Metro Nashville’s community-based efforts around violence reduction.

Guests:

• Paige Pfleger, WPLN criminal justice reporter

• Mariah Timms, justice reporter, The Tennessean

• Tanya Coats, president, Tennessee Education Association

• Shaka Mitchell, director of state strategy and advocacy, Tennessee Federation for Children

• Emily Masters, MNPS District 3 representative

• Trisha Lucente, Parents’ Choice Tennessee

• Jason Sparks, MNPS parent