Vouchers

The controversial legislation creates Education Savings Accounts, which will allow Texas parents to use public funds toward private education costs.

Senate Bill 2 would create an education savings account program and has been Abbott's top priority.

After hours of debate — and years of pushing from Gov. Greg Abbott — the Texas House approved to a bill to create an Education Savings Account plan. The school voucher program would allow parents to use public funds toward private school costs.

The Texas House on Wednesday is poised to debate a contentious bill that would create a program where public funds could be used towards private schools.

The Texas House Public Education Committee passed a sweeping school finance proposal on Thursday, along with a bill that would create a program allowing parents to use public funds to pay for private schools.

The Alamo City visit was the latest stop on a tour of private Christian schools to promote a school-voucher-like program.

House Speaker Dustin Burrows reappointed state Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Killeen) to lead the committee. Buckley tried to get school voucher legislation approved in 2023 but rural Republicans and Democrats blocked the effort.

A proposal to create a school voucher-like plan for Texas was advanced by the Texas Senate Education Committee on Tuesday night, giving voucher supporters like Gov. Greg Abbott their first major win of the legislative session.

Under SB 2, families enrolling their children in private school would receive $10,000 per year, or $11,500 if the student has a disability, through what’s called an education savings account. Supporters say it would be “the largest day one ESA program in the nation.”

During the last Texas legislative session, public education groups spoke with one voice on private school vouchers. Now, there’s been a shift.