Tennessee’s School Voucher Program Wins Latest Court Challenge

Supporters of school choice celebrated when a judicial panel dismissed legal claims from two lawsuits challenging Tennessee’s private school voucher law.

The Educational Savings Account Program (ESA) gives families in Shelby and Davidson County school counties the ability to use public funds for private school costs. A three-judge panel ruled on Wednesday that the project could go ahead without court intervention. The program passed the legislature in 2019 and has since been held up by litigation.

Advocates of school choice celebrated the decision. “The Court’s decision secures access to additional educational opportunities for thousands of children in Shelby and Davidson counties,” Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s office wrote to The Tennessean. Lead counsel for the parent intervenors and Institute for Justice Managing Attorney Arif Panju also praised the ruling, saying that school choice programs empower parents…. (Excerpt from The Epoch Times)