Texas Passes Biggest School Voucher Program in the Country

What is a School Voucher Program?

A school voucher program, also known as school choice, is a system that allows families to receive financial assistance to send their children to private schools. In Texas, the program promises to prioritize students with disabilities and low-income families.

How Does the Program Work?

Under Senate Bill 2, students already enrolled in private school can apply for Texas’ new Education Savings Account, which gives families public funds to spend on education. If accepted, parents could receive up to $10,000 a year per child, or $11,500 if their child has a disability. This money can be used on tuition, textbooks, testing fees, or even therapies, as long as it’s through an approved provider.

Eligibility and Application Process

If there are more applicants than funding, 80 percent of the available spots will go to students who were previously in public school and are either from low-income families or have disabilities. Everyone else, including private school and homeschool students, will enter a separate lottery for the remaining 20 percent of spots. Private school parents are eligible, but it’s not a sure thing.

Rules and Regulations

If a child gets approved for the Education Savings Account, the family will receive public money to put toward private school or other approved educational expenses. However, this money comes with rules:

• Parents don’t get cash directly; payments go through the state.
• Once a child leaves public school, the family is responsible for making sure the child gets tested each year and follows the state’s accountability requirements.
• The money can only be spent on pre-approved schools, tutors, or services.

Concerns About the Program

One parent asked if the program is just welfare for the rich, as it doesn’t set income limits, allowing wealthier families to apply. While the bill claims to prioritize need, critics worry that in practice, private school families may flood the system first, leaving others behind.

What Happens if a Child Wants to Switch Back to Public School?

If a child leaves public school and gets approved for the state’s Education Savings Account, but later wants to switch back to public school, the family will need to notify the state, and the education account will be closed. Any money left over goes back to the program, and the child re-enrolls like any other public school student.

Impact on Public Schools

If enough students leave public school for an Education Savings Account, the public school will lose state funding tied to those students. Critics say this could hit smaller schools the hardest, especially in rural or underfunded districts that rely on every dollar.

Conclusion

The new school voucher program in Texas gives some families more choices, but it also raises concerns about the impact on public schools and whether it will truly benefit low-income families and students with disabilities. As the program rolls out, it will be important to monitor its effects and ensure that it is serving the needs of all students, regardless of their background or financial situation.