On February 5, Texas senators voted 19-12 in favor of Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), moving forward with a $1 billion education savings account (ESA) program designed to enable families to pay for private school tuition and associated costs. Sen. Brandon Creighton, from Conroe, introduced the legislation, which is now set to proceed to the Texas House for additional discussion.
The voucher-style program, a key focus for Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, aims to provide $10,000 per student each year for tuition, textbooks, and transportation at accredited private schools. Students with disabilities would be allocated $11,500, whereas homeschool families would qualify for a minimum of $2,000 per child.
Creighton highlighted the necessity for additional educational alternatives, expressing worries that public school students are "feeling left behind" in light of considerable state expenditures. “That is not acceptable,” he stated.
Democratic lawmakers expressed concerns about accountability, contending that private schools should adhere to state oversight standards, employ certified teachers, and follow bullying laws. Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, put forward amendments to enhance transparency; however, they were turned down.
Private schools would not be obligated to accept all students or adhere to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requires services for students with disabilities in public schools. Creighton defended the adaptability, stating, “Private schools do their utmost to accept the students they can serve.”
If enacted, the legislation would focus on supporting low-income and disabled students, allocating 80% of resources to these populations if demand surpasses available funding.
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