The Texas Senate has passed a bill allowing families to use public funds for private schooling, a long-sought goal for Gov. Greg Abbott. While the bill faces opposition and concerns about its impact on public education, the political landscape has shifted, making its passage in the House more likely.
The Texas Senate has once again approved a bill that would allow families to use public funds to pay for private schooling. This bill, known as SB 2, has been a long-standing priority for Gov. Greg Abbott . It proposes providing families with $10,000 per year, per student, through what Abbott has termed “ education savings accounts .” These funds can be used for private school tuition, textbooks, and school transportation.
The amount would be slightly higher for students with disabilities, and families homeschooling their children would be eligible for $2,000 per year, per student. While the Senate has consistently supported this bill, it has faced opposition in the House, particularly from Republicans from small towns and rural areas. However, after Gov. Abbott made campaign promises to support primary challengers to those House Republicans who opposed his voucher efforts, the political landscape shifted. Following the November 5th elections, Abbott observed that enough of his opponents had been replaced with Republicans aligned with his education savings account vision to predict the bill's passage in 2025. Advocates of the bill, largely Republicans, argue that it will empower parents by allowing them to choose schools they believe are better suited for their children. They cite concerns about critical race theory and DEI efforts in some public schools as reasons for seeking alternative options. Opponents, primarily Democrats, contend that diverting public funds to private schools will harm the public education system, particularly in rural areas with limited private school choices. They also raise concerns about the lack of oversight and accountability in private schools compared to public schools, arguing that the bill will primarily benefit middle and upper-class families who can already afford private education. Studies, such as one from Reaching Higher Hew Hampshire, indicate that voucher programs historically benefit families who were already enrolled in private schools or homeschooling. Critics also point out that the average cost of private school tuition in Texas exceeds the $10,000 offered per student, suggesting that the funding may not adequately address the needs of low-income families.
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