A bill that nearly doubles the number of school vouchers in Tennessee narrowly passed both chambers of the state legislature this week amid concerns that this rapid expansion jeopardizes the state’s financial future.
Camellia Burris
Camellia Burris is an attorney and journalist from Nashville. She is a graduate of Spelman College, Tulane University School of Law, and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where she studied at the Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism. She began her journalism career covering housing policies for the San Francisco Public Press before joining the Miami Herald as an investigative reporting fellow. She joined WPLN News in February 2025.
MNPS budget proposal prioritizes funding for classroom assistance and college readiness
The proposed budget for Metro Nashville Public Schools prioritizes investment in English learners, college and career readiness services and funding for more classroom assistance.
Tennessee House passes voucher expansion bill amid concerns of future costs to taxpayers
The Tennessee House narrowly passed a bill on Monday that nearly doubles the number of vouchers available for the upcoming school year. The move garnered pushback from lawmakers who argue that the expansion is a bad financial move that could eventually bankrupt the state.
Parents of Clarksville child killed in bus crash sue district and driver
The parents of a child killed in a fatal bus crash have filed a lawsuit against the bus driver and the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.
An expansion of Tennessee’s school vouchers could impact undocumented students
An amendment to a voucher expansion bill advancing in the statehouse links public school funding with students’ immigration status. Education advocates warn that this measure would discourage undocumented students from enrolling in Tennessee schools.
Tennessee library director ousted after refusing to remove LGBTQ books
Rutherford County’s top librarian is out of a job after refusing to remove more than a hundred books the library board deemed inappropriate.
Will Tennessee block undocumented students from school? Lawmakers divided.
Tennessee lawmakers are at odds over a bill that would require schools to track and report students’ immigration status.
Tennessee House passes measure requiring schools to track and report undocumented students
A measure requiring schools to report students’ immigration status has passed the Tennessee House, 70-25. Although the Senate version of the bill has already passed, lawmakers must reconvene before the bill can become law.
TSU president vows to keep financial momentum going with new revenue ideas
Despite years of chronic underfunding and past fiscal missteps, Tennessee State University has made a stunning financial turnaround in the last year. To keep this momentum going, the university’s president is exploring new revenue options to help ensure long-term sustainability.
Tennessee schools may soon report students’ immigration status as measure advances in statehouse
A Tennessee proposal that would require schools to verify students’ immigration status is headed to the state House floor. The bill passed its final committee vote on Tuesday amid protests that tracking this information is a time-consuming and costly burden for school staff.
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