Texas is on track to become the largest state with a statewide private school choice program, following nearly three decades of stagnant attempts.
A $1 billion bill was approved Thursday by the Republican-controlled state House of Representatives, bringing the legislation closer to the governor’s desk than it has ever been.
The passing of the law marks a change in the state, as rural Republicans have long opposed private school vouchers due to worries that the scheme will divert funds from public schools in the area.
But in the end, Republican Governor Greg Abbott prevailed thanks to his determined efforts to see the bill through to the end, including a campaign to remove the Republicans who had earlier opposed its passage.
Two Republicans voted against the bill, which passed the chamber 86-61, and the school choice program would start in the fall of 2025.
It would be the biggest state-to-date starting attempt at school choice, and it would be available to all K–12 students.
Katherine Munal Schulze, policy and advocacy director for EdChoice, a group that supports school choice, stated, “We’re seeing such confidence in school choice that states are stepping forward with monster programs year one, and that’s a huge change in the narrative of school choice. For years we were seeing small tax credit scholarships, very small specific [education savings accounts] for specific groups of families. Texas is changing that narrative with a step forward in such a massive program.”
Advocates have supported nationwide initiatives to increase school choice, arguing that it empowers families to pick educational programs that are effective for their kids.
However, detractors contend that it diverts funds from public schools and leaves out the pupils that supporters claim it would benefit, such as those from low-income families and those with disabilities.
The Texas bill’s passing represents the most recent state-level win for proponents of school choice
However, President Donald Trump is working on a larger federal initiative to increase the number of private school options.
Lawmakers’ support for school choice has increased over Trump’s first term. The largest state-level movement to support additional school choice initiatives is in Texas.
Trump has had limited authority to increase school choice at the federal level; early in his second term, he signed an executive order directing federal agencies to increase options as much as possible.
However, Congress is considering more comprehensive legislation, such as a $5 billion bill that would provide individual taxpayers a tax credit for contributions to groups that offer K–12 students scholarships to private schools.
At the national level, there is a growing demand for private school choice.
Efforts to increase private school choice have been routinely rejected by voters in statewide elections.
But school choice has always been a top priority for Trump. In an effort to push for the passing of the Texas law, he called Abbott on Wednesday.
“I just think it’s a really forward-thinking vote. There’s nothing complex about it, you’re not going to get hurt by it. Actually, it’s almost the opposite: People really want it,” Trump stated to Abbott. “Whatever I can do, let me know. If you want me to come in, I’ll also come in.”
