Texas to Launch Major School Voucher Program: A New Era in Education

Gov. Greg Abbott is poised to sign a landmark piece of legislation into law on Saturday, marking a key moment in Texas politics. Senate Bill 2, the state's new school voucher program, is set to revolutionize how education is funded and provide families with more educational choices. This highly anticipated bill, after years of heated debates, represents the culmination of a significant battle that has dominated political discussions in the state for most of this decade.

The voucher program, as outlined in the bill, will allow families to access public taxpayer dollars for a range of educational expenses. This includes tuition at accredited private schools, as well as costs like textbooks, transportation, and even therapy. The bill’s official start date is September 1, and the voucher system is slated to begin in earnest by the 2026-27 school year.

This move comes after years of contention in the Texas Legislature, particularly between Democrats and rural Republicans who opposed the program. Critics argued that such a program would be detrimental to public schools, already struggling with funding. Public schools, which serve a large portion of Texas’ working-class families, are a vital resource for many students, especially those from low-income households.

On the other side of the debate, leading Republicans like Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick strongly defended the voucher program. They argued that parents needed more choices for their children’s education, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many families to reexamine the role of public schools in the face of health restrictions. Abbott and Patrick insist that the public education system and the voucher program can coexist, giving parents the flexibility to choose what they believe is best for their children’s education.

The Texas Voucher Program in Detail: What’s in it for Families?

Once Senate Bill 2 is signed into law, Texas will join the ranks of states offering one of the largest school voucher initiatives in the country. But what does this mean for families? Here’s a closer look at the specifics:

• Funding Amounts: Most participating families will be able to receive an amount equal to 85% of the funding public schools get per student. In financial terms, that’s roughly between $10,300 and $10,900 per year for each child, depending on specific local and state funding formulas.

• Special Education Students: Families with children who have disabilities can access even more funds. These students can receive up to an additional $30,000—an amount based on the state’s cost of providing special education services in public schools.

• Home-Schoolers: Parents who homeschool their children can also benefit, with up to $2,000 available each year to help cover educational expenses.

• The Mechanics: The voucher program will be structured through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), which are essentially state-managed accounts where the funds are deposited. Families will be able to make approved purchases using an online platform, much like Arizona’s program, which utilizes ClassWallet.

Will Texas Be Able to Afford This?

The voucher program’s initial budget will see Texas spending about $1 billion in the first two years of the program, starting in 2025. But after that? The costs could skyrocket, with state experts estimating that by 2030, the total bill could climb to a staggering $4.8 billion. While the state’s budget is capped at $1 billion for the first two years, lawmakers will need to revisit funding levels as the program expands, potentially leading to significant debates in future legislative sessions.

Who Will Benefit? What About Wealthier Families?

One of the more controversial aspects of the bill is that it opens up participation to families across a broad spectrum of income levels. In fact, some of Texas’ wealthiest families will be eligible to access voucher funds. The legislation allows up to 20% of the total voucher budget to be allocated to families earning more than 500% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, this translates to an income of $160,000 or more.

However, there are income restrictions for the majority of families who will receive vouchers. The program will prioritize lower-income households, with students from families making less than 200% of the poverty line (about $64,300 for a family of four) receiving first access to the funds. Children with disabilities will also receive priority, along with students transferring out of public schools into private institutions.

Key Takeaways: What Does This Mean for Public Schools?

• Limited Participation for Public Schools: Students can’t be enrolled in both a public school and a private school at the same time under the voucher program. Once enrolled, families must make a choice between the two.

• Exclusion of Undocumented Children: Only students whose parents can prove U.S. citizenship will be eligible for the program. This could be a significant barrier for some families.

• School Enrollment and Testing: Schools that choose to participate in the program must be accredited and have been in operation for at least two years. However, students enrolled in private schools will not be required to take the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness), the standard test public school students must take. Instead, private schools will have the option to administer their own nationally recognized exams.

• The Accountability Factor: The state will be monitoring the program closely, tracking outcomes such as student satisfaction, academic performance, and college readiness. Annual reports will provide insights into how the program impacts enrollment at both public and private schools, and how it affects students from different demographics, including race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background.

• Potential for Fraud: The bill includes provisions to ensure that voucher funds are used responsibly. If any participant is found to be in violation of the program’s guidelines, their accounts will be suspended, and authorities will be notified.

What Comes Next?

The program is set to officially launch in the 2026-27 school year, but much of the groundwork for its implementation will take place in the next couple of years. The Texas Comptroller, the state’s chief financial officer, will be in charge of overseeing the program and has until May 2026 to establish the rules and procedures. This includes determining the application process and selecting organizations that will help administer the voucher system.

Private schools that wish to participate in the program must meet specific accreditation standards and have a track record of at least two years in operation. The law is also designed to ensure that families can hold private institutions accountable for their educational offerings.

Conclusion: A New Era for Education in Texas?

The passing of Senate Bill 2 signals the start of a new chapter for Texas education. For many, this voucher program is a step forward, providing parents with more choices and greater flexibility. For others, it’s a threat to the public school system, potentially draining resources from schools already under financial strain. Only time will tell how this will play out, but one thing is certain: the debate over school vouchers in Texas is far from over. As the program rolls out, it will likely spark even more conversations about the future of education in the Lone Star State.