Jason Horne
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Tennessee Education Policy

Vouchers in Northeast TN

February 13, 2025 · 2 min read

Only 12 private schools qualify for vouchers in Northeast TN. Part of the voucher law said that only private schools that were category I, II, or III can receive voucher funds. You can see the list of Non-Public Schools here: https://www.tn.gov/education/families/school-options/non-public-schools.html

In Tennessee, non-public schools are classified into five categories, each with distinct approval processes and operational requirements:

  1. Category I: These schools are directly approved by the Tennessee Department of Education. They must adhere to state regulations similar to public schools, including employing licensed teachers and conducting annual standardized testing.

  2. Category II: Schools in this category are accredited by private agencies recognized by the State Board of Education. These accrediting agencies oversee the schools to ensure they meet specific educational standards.

  3. Category III: These are schools accredited by regional accrediting bodies approved by the State Board of Education. They operate under the guidelines of their respective accrediting organizations.

  4. Category IV: Known as church-related schools, these institutions are affiliated with religious organizations and are exempt from certain state regulations. They are recognized by associations listed in Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-50-801.

  5. Category V: These schools are acknowledged for operation with minimal state requirements. Teachers are required to hold at least a bachelor’s degree but are not mandated to have teaching certificates.

Private Schools Eligible for Vouchers in Northeast Tennessee