Texas Aims to Pass School-Choice Program

Republican state leaders are confident that this is the year Texas passes a robust school-choice program that would allow public dollars to be spent on private schools.

They’ve spent tremendous political capital garnering support for voucher-like education savings accounts, ESAs, in which parents could spend money on other options instead of sending their children to local public schools.

Public school advocates oppose any plan resembling school vouchers, saying such programs drain resources from the campuses that educate more than 5 million children in Texas. Supporters of ESAs say families should get state funding for the educational settings that best fit their needs.

Eligibility for Education Savings Accounts

Both programs have universal eligibility, meaning a child wouldn’t have to previously attend public school in order to qualify. They could be entering school for the first time, already attending a public school, or enrolled in a private school.

In other states, many families who end up using ESA dollars are already enrolled in private schools, according to data reported by those states.

Prioritization of Students

Just because there’s universal eligibility doesn’t mean everyone who wants an ESA will necessarily receive it if the state adopts such a program.

Senate plan: If the number of students applying for ESAs exceeds $1 billion, participants would be selected through a lottery. The state would set aside 80% of the fund for students who previously attended public school and are either from low-income households or have a disability. The remaining 20% would be open to any student, including those already attending a private school.

How Much Money Would a Texas Family Receive in an ESA?

That would depend on several factors.

Senate plan: An ESA would cover up to $10,000 for private school expenses or $2,000 for homeschooled students. Those in special education would be eligible for an $11,500 education savings account, while homeschooled students with a disability could get $2,500.

House plan: The ESA would be valued at 85% of the average amount public schools receive per student in state and local funding.

Children with disabilities would get that amount plus the amount a public school district would be entitled to based on that child’s special education plan. Public schools receive more money to serve children with disabilities so they can provide accommodations that suit their needs.

Funding and Prioritization

The Texas House and Senate each have priority bills tackling the nitty-gritty of how such a program would play out. Republican state budget writers want to spend $1 billion of the state’s nearly $24 billion surplus to fund the program.

Lawmakers said the average ESA amount in 2026 would be roughly $10,000. The House took that approach in order to tie the ESA value to funding in public schools.

“Should funding rise in public schools, ESA amounts would rise. If funding dips, then those dollars would go down as well on the ESA side,” said Rep. Brad Buckley, who introduced the House bill.

“It was important that there be a linkage there. We never wanted to have a situation where we were funding more for an ESA than public school amounts.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is eligible for an education savings account?

A: Both programs have universal eligibility, meaning a child wouldn’t have to previously attend public school in order to qualify. They could be entering school for the first time, already attending a public school, or enrolled in a private school.

Q: How much money would a Texas family receive in an ESA?

A: The amount would depend on several factors, including the type of school the child attends and whether they have a disability. The Senate plan would provide up to $10,000 for private school expenses or $2,000 for homeschooled students, while the House plan would provide 85% of the average amount public schools receive per student in state and local funding.

Q: How would students be prioritized for ESAs?

A: The Senate plan would prioritize students who previously attended public school and are from low-income households or have a disability. The House plan would prioritize families based on their level of household income and whether their child has a disability.

Q: What is the current state of the school-choice program in Texas?

A: The Texas House and Senate are considering two separate bills that would establish a school-choice program in the state. The Senate plan would provide up to $10,000 for private school expenses or $2,000 for homeschooled students, while the House plan would provide 85% of the average amount public schools receive per student in state and local funding.

Q: What is the estimated cost of the school-choice program?

A: The estimated cost of the program is $1 billion, which is part of the state’s nearly $24 billion surplus. The program would be funded by the state budget.