Tennessee to give more average per-pupil funding to voucher participants than public school students

Tennessee public school students this school year will receive less state per-pupil funding than private school students using the state’s new voucher program, drawing sharp criticism from public education advocates and Democrats who argue the state is prioritizing voucher participants at the expense of other students.

Tennessee will spend an average of $7,023 per public school student in the state’s education funding formula, compared to the $7,295 given to students participating in the new Education Freedom Scholarship program.

Public school students will still receive more public funds, though, due to local government contributions to the formula and separate federal funds.