The Tennessean

Malia Curtis confidently took the microphone as she addressed the Wilson County Schools board on May 4. The 20-year-old scooted her wheelchair closer to the board members before talking about how school vouchers through Tennessee’s Individualized Education Accounts program have benefited her over the years. She talked about in-home tutors who teach her a wide variety of topics, including English, math, science and the Bible, speaking fondly of one educator she called “Miss Amy.” “Miss Amy is one of my best friends,” Curtis said.

But a newly passed bill removes access to those educators, according to her mother, Julie Curtis, who also spoke at the meeting. The longtime Wilson County resident joined a growing chorus of Tennessee parents of children with special needs sounding the alarm about legislation they say significantly hampers how they can use IEA vouchers.

Until now, parents have been able to transfer voucher funds to a state-provided, tax-exempt savings account, known as an ABLE TN account. But the passage of HB2533 prohibits those transfers and relegates families to lengthy approval processes for services, more expense reports and a restrictive list of approved schools, according to Julie Curtis.