Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Tennessee Choice and Opportunity Scholarship Program.

Highlights:

• Authorizes students to apply for the Tennessee Choice and Opportunity Scholarship Program if they meet certain criteria, including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Sec. 3):
• The student resides in Tennessee and zoned to attend or enroll in a public school that is identified as being in the bottom 5 percent of schools in the state; and
• The student is eligible for free or reduced price lunch based on household income levels.

• Requires schools participating in the program to meet certain criteria, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 4):
• To voluntarily enroll eligible students;
• To provide notice of intent on an annual basis to participate in the program to the Department of Education through completion of an application; and
• To comply with certain federal nondiscrimination policies. 

• Authorizes the Department to award the following number of scholarships per year under the program (Sec. 8):
• No more than 5,000 scholarships for the 2013-2014 school year;
• No more than 7,500 scholarships for the 2014-2015 school year;
• No more than 10,000 scholarships for the 2015-2016 school year; and
• No more than 20,000 scholarships for the 2016-2017 school year and every year after.

Full Bill Text