Vouchers

Controversial voucher-like Education Savings Accounts seem a certainty after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott helped oust fellow Republicans who opposed them last year. But educators are wary about what a new plan could look like.

The stated goal for school vouchers has been to provide educational equity. However, after years of implementation in other states, it's clear that vouchers are failing students and exacerbating income inequality. We now know that voucher programs hurt low-income students. But billionaires continue to push vouchers, especially in Texas.

Most respondents agreed with arguments against paying for private schools with public funds — but ultimately favored creating the programs.

The Legislature also failed to pass election-related bills.

A handful of plumbers and construction workers are training as substitutes so they can relieve public school teachers when they head to the state Capitol to protest a bill that would create education savings accounts.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Thursday the latest special session will focus on school vouchers and the creation of a state deportation force, two highly controversial issues that have failed in previous special and regular sessions.

The Texas Legislature could be headed into multiple special sessions to hammer out dueling visions over eligibility for private school choice.

If Texas lawmakers create a program that lets all families use state funds to pay for private school, children already enrolled in private schools will likely use it most.

Which students do school vouchers work for? And who do they leave behind?

From Texas Standard: The Texas Legislature’s 30-day special session is moving through an ambitious agenda at a rapid-fire pace, at least in the Senate.