According to the governor’s office and the cities of Memphis and Nashville, more than 40 independent school districts have committed to allowing families to enroll in Education Savings Account (ESA) programs beginning in the 2022-2023 academic year.
“There was an urgent need for school choice in 2019, and finally, parents in Memphis and Nashville won’t have to wait another day to choose the best educational fit for their children,” said Gov. Bill Lee (R). “I thank each school that has partnered with us to swiftly implement a program that will change the lives of Tennessee students, and I invite interested families to begin the enrollment process today.”
The state explained the program’s purpose in an open letter to parents in Shelby County and Nashville.
“In 2019, the Lee Administration pledged to ensure that every child in Tennessee had access to a high-quality education, no matter the zip code,” the letter said. “The Education Savings Account (ESA) program was built to support parents in Memphis and Nashville who urgently need access to options beyond traditional public school. While roadblocks have unnecessarily delayed this assistance for families, the need is greater than ever.”
“The core mission of the ESA program is for students to be in the most academically tailored and supportive environment possible,” the letter said.
ESA programs are gaining popularity nationwide, though few states have moved forward with implementation.
Currently, only five states, including Tennessee, allow parents and students to use ESAs.
The four other states are Nevada, Arizona, Florida and Mississippi.
ESAs allow parents to withdraw their children from public or charter schools and receive a deposit for what it would cost for their child to attend those schools into a government-authorized savings account.
According to EdChoice, a nonprofit that favors school choice programs like ESAs, those funds can then be used to “cover private school tuition and fees, online learning programs, private tutoring, community college costs, higher education expenses and other approved customized learning services and materials.”
Some ESAs, according to the group, even allow parents and students to use the funds for a combination of public and private education resources.
Tennessee parents can apply for the program here.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Family” by August de Richelieu.
Why isn’t school choice available for all students as is the case in Arizona? A weak-kneed legislature?