Texas Senate’s Voucher Proposal: $10,000 to Fund Private School Education for Families

 

Senate Bill 2 aims to create a new education savings account program to provide families with financial support for private school tuition

The Texas Senate has introduced a key piece of legislation, Senate Bill 2, which proposes the establishment of an education savings account (ESA) program, offering a substantial opportunity for families seeking to send their children to private schools. This bill, filed on Friday, has become a top priority for Governor Greg Abbott and other lawmakers following the failure of a similar proposal during the last legislative session. If passed, Senate Bill 2 will give families up to $10,000 annually per student to cover private school tuition and associated educational expenses, including textbooks, transportation, and therapy.

Key Features of the Texas Senate Education Savings Account Proposal

The education savings accounts outlined in Senate Bill 2 will allow parents to access public funds to cover the costs of private school education. The funds could also be used for additional services such as tutoring, industry-based certification training, and instructional materials. Specifically, children with disabilities would receive $11,500 per year. The bill also includes a provision for home-schooling families, offering $2,000 annually for eligible participants.

Senator Brandon Creighton, who co-authored the bill and chairs the Senate Education Committee, emphasized the need for parental control in education. “Texas families are rejecting the status quo and calling for an education system that prioritizes their children’s success,” Creighton said, underlining that the legislation places parents at the forefront of educational decision-making.

Eligibility and Prioritization in the Voucher Program

Senate Bill 2 is designed with broad eligibility. Any student currently enrolled in or eligible to attend public schools, including pre-K students, can apply to participate. Even families whose children are already attending private schools can take advantage of the ESA program. The proposal follows Governor Abbott's call for universal eligibility, ensuring that any student can apply for the program.

However, there is a stipulation in the bill to prioritize certain groups of students. If demand for education savings accounts exceeds the allocated funding, priority will be given to children from low-income households and those with disabilities.

A notable aspect of this bill is its requirement that families be notified that private schools do not have to comply with federal and state regulations, particularly regarding special education services as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Funds and Oversight: Ensuring Proper Use of Public Money

The bill outlines a framework for ensuring that the funds allocated through the ESA program are used appropriately. It mandates that any organizations or individuals administering the program be monitored to prevent misuse of taxpayer funds. Approved expenses include private school tuition, special educational services, and certification programs. To guard against misuse, local authorities are instructed to investigate cases of fraud or improper fund use.

One of the bill’s most contentious points is its exemption from state standardized testing requirements. While private school students participating in the ESA program would not need to take the same standardized tests as their public school counterparts, they would be required to sit for a nationally recognized exam. Critics have expressed concerns that this lack of testing accountability could create disparities between public and private school students.

Fiscal Implications and Public School Concerns

The proposed voucher program is being introduced during a period of heightened debate over school funding in Texas. For the 2025 legislative session, both the House and Senate have proposed dedicating $1 billion over two years to the creation of education savings accounts. This represents a $500 million increase over the amount previously proposed in 2023.

If passed, the ESA program could potentially benefit up to 100,000 students who wish to attend accredited private schools. While this seems a small fraction of the 5.5 million students currently enrolled in Texas public schools, the program’s potential impact on public school funding has sparked significant debate. Since Texas public schools receive funding based on student enrollment, each student who leaves to attend a private school under the ESA program could result in a loss of public funding for those schools.

Some rural public school districts have expressed concern that the ESA proposal could undermine their already strained budgets. Last legislative session, the House voted to remove the voucher provision from a large education funding bill, citing concerns about potential negative impacts on public school finances.

Support and Opposition: Differing Views on the Proposal’s Effectiveness

The ESA proposal has garnered support from conservative groups like the Texas Public Policy Foundation, which sees it as a groundbreaking step toward educational freedom. Mandy Drogin, a campaign director with the foundation, praised the bill, stating that it would create the largest education savings account program in the United States. She emphasized the universal eligibility aspect, which would ensure that all Texas parents, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to choose the best educational path for their children.

On the other hand, groups such as Every Texan, which opposes the program, have raised concerns about its potential effectiveness. Chandra Villanueva, director of policy and advocacy for Every Texan, argued that low-income families might not be able to cover the tuition gap that remains after the voucher funding, or they might end up sending their children to private schools that do not offer significant advantages over public schools. Additionally, Villanueva questioned the benefit for students with disabilities, given the limited number of private schools in Texas equipped to meet their needs.

David DeMatthews, an education professor at the University of Texas at Austin, criticized the bill for allowing private schools to opt out of the federal and state protections for students with disabilities. He called it an “absurd” approach, arguing that it would create an educational market that fails to serve all students equitably. Many parents, DeMatthews warned, would be unwilling to waive essential protections that are currently guaranteed by federal law.

Future Prospects for the Voucher Program

While Senate Bill 2 has strong support in the Texas Senate, the House remains a challenging battleground for voucher proponents. Last year, 21 Republican lawmakers in the House, most from rural districts, opposed the voucher provision, citing concerns that it would divert critical funding from public schools.

Despite this opposition, the changing political landscape has given voucher advocates new hope. Many of the House lawmakers who previously opposed the program have lost their seats, and Governor Abbott is optimistic that the House now has enough votes to pass the voucher legislation. However, disagreements over the details of the bill, including how funds will be allocated and which students should be prioritized, may still pose obstacles.

In addition to the voucher proposal, the Senate has also called for an increase in teacher pay, aiming to raise salaries by $4,000 annually, with an additional $6,000 increase for teachers in rural areas. This proposal is part of a broader effort to address teacher shortages and improve education in Texas, though some educators argue that the pay increase still falls short of the national average.

As the Texas Legislature moves forward with discussions on education funding and reform, the outcome of the ESA program proposal will likely have lasting implications for both private and public schools in the state.