House approves measure allowing adult charter schools after heated debate over funding

The Tennessee House passed Senate Bill 1762 on third reading, a bill authorizing the operation of adult charter schools and addressing how those students would be funded through the state’s funding formula.

Chairman Slater, the bill’s sponsor, said the state already funds adult high‑school options and that the legislation would extend charter pathways for adults seeking a full high‑school diploma. “We already have adult high schools … this doesn’t change any of that,” Slater said, adding that adult students would receive a TISA base and outcome funding though not the weighted funding reserved for K‑12 pupils.

Representative McKenzie expressed concern about the impact on available funds for traditional K‑12 students and asked whether opening the pipeline to adult charter schools might “steal money” from public schools. Chairman Slater and proponents replied the aim is to reach nearly 600,000 working adults without diplomas and to provide workforce pathways and credentials.

Opponents pressed the panel on differences between traditional public schools and public charter schools and raised worries about religiously affiliated charters and fiscal discipline. Chairman Clemens described charter schools as a different model and warned against diverting resources from preK–12 education.

After debate, members invoked the previous question and the clerk recorded a constitutional majority for passage. The bill was adopted with committee amendments in place.

Supporters said the measure offers a new tool for workforce development; opponents said the state should instead fully fund traditional public schools to prevent the need for expanded adult‑education charter options.