The State House Education Administration and Planning Committee on Tuesday approved the Gardenhire/Dunn school voucher bill with eight in favor and five against.
So far, the legislation has 26 co-sponsors and has received 32 out of 40 votes in committees this sessio, supporters said.
Tony Niknejad of the Tennessee Federation for Children said, "Parents and children are one step closer to finally having the opportunity to choose to get a high-quality education in Tennessee.
"Rather than being restrained by their zip code or their income, this bill will allow parents to send their children to a school that best fits their needs.
Sixty percent of Tennesseans have said that they would consider using an opportunity scholarship if given the chance, and that chance is one step closer for children in struggling schools."