Tennessee · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026) · Bill

SB 1978: School Vouchers - As introduced, establishes various audit and reporting requirements for the department of education and private schools that enroll recipients of an education freedom scholarship; limits eligibility for the scholarship program to students who are members of a family with an annual household income that does not exceed 300 percent of the amount required for a student to qualify for free or reduced lunch; requires scholarship recipients to be administered the same TCAP tests administered to public school students enrolled in the same grade level or course subject. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 8, Chapter 44; Title 10, Chapter 7 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

In committee Last action March 18, 2026: Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee

Plain-language summary

SB 1978 is a bill introduced in the Tennessee Senate on January 22, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: School Vouchers - As introduced, establishes various audit and reporting requirements for the department of education and private schools that enroll recipients of an education freedom scholarship; limits eligibility for the scholarship program to students who are members of a family with an annual household income that does not exceed 300 percent of the amount required for a student to qualify for free or reduced lunch; requires scholarship recipients to be administered the same TCAP tests administered to public school students enrolled in the same grade level or course subject. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 8, Chapter 44; Title 10, Chapter 7 and Title 49, Chapter 6. Primary sponsor: Raumesh Akbari (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (March 18, 2026): Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee.

Sponsors

Primary sponsor: Raumesh Akbari (Democratic).