Committee reviews emergency rules to implement Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship; House and Senate split on recommendation

The joint Government Operations committee reviewed emergency rules the State Board of Education and Department of Education filed to implement the Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) program created by Public Chapter 7 of the 2025 first extraordinary session.

The rules, presenters said, define key terms, establish application and eligibility processes and appeals procedures, and address program logistics necessary to make scholarships available for the 2025–26 school year. "PC 7 creates the Education Freedom Scholarship Program and authorizes the State Board of Education to promulgate rules to effectuate the EFS program," Nathan James of the State Board of Education told the committee. He said the statute requires the program be available in the 2025–26 school year and that emergency rules were therefore necessary.

Why it matters: The program will direct state scholarship funds to eligible students who enroll at private schools the rules classify as category 1, 2 or 3. Lawmakers pressed staff on who will be eligible, how funds will flow, and safeguards against fraud and improper use of funds.

What the rules say and how the program will work - Eligibility and timing: The statute sets limits on total years of eligibility (committee discussion referred to "13 years, total eligibility"). The State Board said a permanent version of the rule will be heard on final reading at the board's May 30, 2025 meeting. -…