Tennessee House Republicans are urging Congress to require the Department of Education to share more information about applicants for private school vouchers. This information is seen as essential for effectively evaluating the new program.

Currently, parents seeking financial assistance aren’t obligated to disclose their children’s previous school backgrounds. In fact, the state isn’t providing this information, not even the counties where students reside.

Moreover, the “universal” voucher applications—which don’t have income limitations—also don’t require parents to submit any financial details.

Lawmakers against the initiative are questioning the lack of crucial data, especially since the program allocates nearly $7,300 to each of the 20,000 participating students, costing the state around $146 million. Out of these recipients, half are subject to financial caps set at 300% above federal poverty levels, which roughly translates to $175,000 for a family of four.

Jody Barrett, a Republican representative from Dickson, expressed concerns over the administration’s reluctance to gather certain information, suggesting it might contradict the narrative they wish to uphold regarding the program.

During discussions, many lawmakers stated their support for private school vouchers as a means to assist families seeking better educational options for their children.

Chalkbeat previously reported that more than two-thirds of students receiving vouchers in Alabama and Florida are already enrolled in private institutions.

Nashville Democrat Caleb Hemmer is among those pursuing fundamental information about the voucher program to ensure compliance with existing laws. He likened the initiative to a past federal rebate program designed to stimulate the economy by encouraging purchases of fuel-efficient vehicles.

The state’s financial assessment indicated that 65% of voucher recipients are already attending private schools, a point not lost on lawmakers who narrowly passed Gov. Bill Lee’s initiative, which was symbolically endorsed by private school students during the signing ceremony at the Capitol.

Barrett, who voted against the measure, noted that the education department’s information release was inadequate, lacking data on student registrations and counties of residence. He believes this data is important for assessing the demand for the program.

In contrast, Tennessee’s Educational Savings Account Program for Low-Income Students in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga mandates that parents submit financial information.

Barrett pointed out that it appears the department is either unwilling to recognize this lack of data or simply isn’t sharing it.

Second-term legislators have suggested that the legislature should oversee the program or establish a board to advise on research, ensuring the program aligns with lawmakers’ interests.

Rep. Mark White, Chairman of the House Education Management Committee, stated he would keep an eye on the department’s oversight, particularly questioning why financial information isn’t being requested for the “universal” scholarship, a requirement within the bill.

The Governor’s Office has indicated that there’s no obligation for the state to gather details on prior school registrations.

White mentioned conversations with officials from a private school in Memphis, where tuition can reach around $15,000—a point he feels should be considered in the program’s design.

According to a release from the Ministry of Education, they received 38,000 applications for the voucher program, with about half coming from families that qualify based on income.

The education department did not respond to inquiries from Lookout regarding the program. Board of Education member Lisette Reynolds, who hasn’t been in the media spotlight for over a year, stated in a May statement that there’s a strong demand for “universal school choices.”

Additionally, the recently passed bill includes a provision mandating local school boards to approve a one-time $2,000 bonus for teachers, totaling $180 million in costs. The state is also dedicating $2.6 million to hire 11 personnel to manage the program and $625,000 towards online financial operations.