Tennessee increases private-school voucher vendor contract by $356M

Tennessee lawmakers have decided to boost the contract for the company managing the state's private-school voucher programs by $356 million, even though the vendor has faced challenges in other states. This move raises the maximum contract value for Student First Technologies, LLC to almost $637 million over the five-year term. The decision, approved by the Fiscal Review Committee, highlights a significant investment in private education funding, raising questions about accountability and the efficacy of voucher programs. This expansion could influence similar initiatives nationwide, emphasizing the ongoing debate about public funding for private schools.