AUSTIN, Texas — Texas is on the cusp of passing a school voucher program, a staunch initiative Gov. Greg Abbott has been working on for years. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Texas House filed its legislation Thursday that would allow families to use taxpayer dollars to fund their children’s private school tuition

  • The bill would allow participating families to get 85% of the amount the state gives public schools

  • The Senate’s version offers a flat $10,000 per student

  • The House version prioritizes children with disabilities and imposes stricter income limits compared to the Senate’s proposal

The House has introduced its own proposal, House Bill 3, with a few differences. Senate Bill 2 seeks to allocate $1 billion to establish education savings accounts. These accounts would provide families with up to $10,000 per student annually to cover private school tuition and other educational expenses.  

The Texas Senate has already passed SB 2. While the Senate’s version offers a flat $10,000 per student, the House bill has some minor differences. The House plan ties the voucher amount to 85% of what a public school district would receive per student, with a cap of $30,000 for students with disabilities. The House version prioritizes children with disabilities and imposes stricter income limits compared to the Senate’s proposal.  

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Supporters of the plan say it is a pivotal step toward enhancing educational choice for families, and that it empowers parents to choose the best educational setting for their children. Abbott has publicly urged Texas legislators to advance the bill. He recently took his message on the road to garner support.

However, the initiative faces substantial opposition. Critics contend that diverting public funds to private institutions could exacerbate financial strains on public schools, particularly in rural areas with limited access to private education. Concerns have also been raised about potential increases in private school tuition and the adequacy of services for students with disabilities in private settings.

Abbott and other supporters have fought back against that narrative, and have said the program wouldn’t hinder public school funding. Despite assurances that the program would be funded separately, there is apprehension about the long-term financial impact on public education.  

As the plan moves closer to the governor’s desk, the outcome will significantly influence the direction of school vouchers and the allocation of educational resources in Texas.