Well, that has changed. The Tennessee Department Of Education has just released new guidelines regulating school fees. The department now says that schools may request fees but may not require those fees to be paid. The new guidelines are not income based but apply to everyone.

In a nut shell, the state constitution states that public education shall be free to all therefore no fees can be required as a part of that education. There are certain factors involved as determining what constitutes a "fee".

Below is a link to a memorandum issued by the department to give more clarity as to what can be required and what can not be required.

School Fees Explained