Tennessee lawmakers introduce legislation to make pre-kindergarten free for all four-year-olds

State Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, left, and Tennessee Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville.

Tennessee Senator Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, and State Representative Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, have introduced a bill for consideration next year that would make pre-kindergarten free and accessible for all four-year-olds statewide.

According to an announcement about the legislation, the proposed bill aims to alleviate “financial burdens on working families while setting a strong educational foundation for Tennessee’s youngest learners.” The lawmakers said the legislation builds on “overwhelming public support” for expanding access to pre-K programming.

“Every child deserves access to a great education and universal pre-K is the best way to ensure that opportunity begins at the earliest stages of learning,” Oliver said in the announcement. “This isn’t just an investment in our kids; it’s an economic lifeline for working families. Universal pre-K reduces childcare costs, boosts family incomes, and strengthens Tennessee’s workforce. It’s time to deliver real relief to families who are stretched too thin.”

Behn emphasized the financial advantages that the bill would have for working-class families.

“Working families are the backbone of Tennessee, but far too many struggle to afford high-quality preschool for their children,” Behn said. “This legislation cuts costs, gives families a raise, and ensures every child gets a strong start in life. The research is clear: when families have access to free pre-K, parents can work more, earn more, and build a more secure future for their children. It’s a win for families, businesses, and the state economy.”

The lawmakers noted that the bill was partly inspired by recent research from the National Bureau of Economic Research, which suggests that universal pre-K could increase parental earnings by 21.7 percent by cutting the costs of enrollment. Researchers said these economic benefits persist for at least six years after children complete pre-K.

Behn and Oliver also noted that only 20 percent of Tennessee’s four-year-olds are enrolled in the state’s current pre-K model, according to research from the National Institute for Early Education Research.  

The two lawmakers said they’re optimistic that growing public support for universal pre-K will drive bipartisan backing this session, despite some GOP lawmakers’ previous opposition to similar proposals.   

“Tennessee families need us to act,” Behn said. “We’re bringing this bill back stronger than ever because it’s not just the right thing to do — it’s what the future of our state demands.”

Members of the Tennessee General Assembly will consider this bill along with others that have been filed early when they return to Nashville January 14, 2025.