AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to education.
Impact
The bill is expected to have significant implications for state laws relating to education funding and local education agencies. By ensuring that LEAs receive funding corresponding to the number of students who transfer to private schools under scholarship programs, SB1924 seeks to maintain financial stability for public schools. This could help offset potential revenue losses due to student transfers to private institutions, thus safeguarding the interests of local educational agencies and promoting equitable education funding.
Summary
Senate Bill 1924 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49 concerning education. The primary focus of the bill is on the administration of education scholarship programs for students in grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12) that allow for the funding of private school expenses. The bill stipulates that if a student receiving such a scholarship was enrolled in a local education agency (LEA) for the full school year before participating in the scholarship program and generated relevant funding for the LEA, an equivalent amount must be disbursed to that LEA annually as long as the student remains in the scholarship program.
Contention
There may be points of contention surrounding SB1924, particularly from advocates of public education who argue about the implications of public funds being used for private school education. Critics may express concerns that this bill could encourage the diversion of educational resources away from public schools and further exacerbate disparities in educational access and quality. Additionally, the bill’s exceptions for certain educational savings programs could invoke debate regarding the prioritization of funding sources in Tennessee's education system.