Texas House Files Bill to Allow Parents to Use State Funds for Private School Tuition
The Texas House has filed a bill that sets out a plan to allow parents to use state funds to pay for private school tuition. This plan differs from the one passed by the Senate earlier this month. Both Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows have said they want to pass the legislation, which is a priority for Gov. Greg Abbott, but it’s unclear which plan will prevail.
How Much Money for Education Savings Accounts?
The version of the bill passed by the Senate sets aside $10,000 for each eligible student, and $11,500 for students with disabilities. Critics say an extra $1,500 isn’t enough to provide services to a student with disabilities. They say it’d be harder for families who can’t afford private school to take advantage of the program if they have a child with disabilities.
The House version includes up to $30,000 for children with disabilities, depending on a child’s needs. Other eligible students would get 85% of the estimated statewide average amount of state and local funding per student. Using the most recent numbers from the Texas Education Agency, that would be $10,892.
While there’s a higher cap for kids with disabilities, University of Texas Professor David DeMatthews said he believes it still falls short of what it costs to serve some students.
Which Children Would Be Eligible?
The Senate’s plan is for 80% of the spots to be filled by a lottery among students who previously attended public school and are either low-income or have a disability. The remaining 20% would be filled by an open lottery among all eligible applicants.
The House proposal instead creates a four-tiered system. Students would be prioritized in the following order:
- Students with disabilities from families earning up to 500% of the federal poverty level (around $156,000 for a family of four).
- Low-income families who earn up to 200% of the poverty level (approximately $62,400 for a family of four).
- Families earning between 200% and 500% of the poverty level.
- Families earning above 500% of the poverty level.
Which Plan Will Make It to the Governor’s Desk?
The House bill has yet to be considered in committee. Voucher-like proposals died in the chamber in 2023, but the makeup of the House has since changed. If the House does pass its plan, members would have to go into a conference committee to hash out differences with the Senate.
At this point, it’s unclear which plan could pass. Abbott met with the House author, Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, last week, although he hasn’t endorsed either plan. Instead, the governor has broadly emphasized that school choice is necessary in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the plan to allow parents to use state funds for private school tuition?
A: The plan allows parents to use state funds to pay for private school tuition, with different amounts for students with and without disabilities.
Q: How much money will each student receive?
A: The Senate’s plan sets aside $10,000 for each eligible student, and $11,500 for students with disabilities. The House version includes up to $30,000 for children with disabilities, depending on a child’s needs.
Q: Which students will be prioritized for the program?
A: The House proposal prioritizes students with disabilities from families earning up to 500% of the federal poverty level, followed by low-income families, and then families earning between 200% and 500% of the poverty level.
