A new lawsuit has been filed challenging Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarships, and once again families across the state find themselves at the center of a familiar debate. As opponents attempt to limit or roll back educational options, parents are making it clear that they want the freedom to choose the learning environment that works best for their children.

Despite the claims being made in this lawsuit, the idea that school choice somehow “diverts” funding from public schools is not new. Tennessee families have heard these arguments for years, and they have consistently voiced a desire for more options, not fewer. The goal has never been to weaken public schools. The goal has been to recognize that no single system can meet the needs of every child.

Education funding should follow the student. Whether a child attends a neighborhood public school, a public virtual school, a charter school, a private school, a micro-school, or learns at home, every student deserves the opportunity to learn in the environment where they thrive. This is the principle at the heart of Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarships, and it is the principle now under attack.

We are encouraged by the leadership of Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly, who expanded opportunity through the scholarships and broadened access for families. Their work has opened doors for students who previously had limited or no choices in their education.

Chattanooga resident and PSO National Vice President Wei Barr put it clearly:
“At the end of the day, parents just want what works for their kids. Tennessee parents deserve the freedom to choose the setting where their children can truly thrive. By advancing school choice, EFS can lift families, strengthen communities, and benefit each individual child. Trust parents, fund students, not systems.”

As this legal challenge moves forward, Tennessee Parents for School Options remains committed to standing with families. We will continue advocating for policies that protect and expand diverse learning opportunities so Tennessee remains a place where parents’ voices matter and students’ needs come first.