Overview
- The newly signed law allocates $1 billion to Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), providing up to $10,000 per student for private school tuition and $30,000 for students with disabilities.
- The program, effective September 1, 2025, will launch in the 2026–27 school year, with the Texas Comptroller tasked with developing rules and overseeing its implementation.
- Eligibility follows a four-tiered system prioritizing students with disabilities and low-income families, with wealthier families capped at 20% of the program's initial budget.
- Texas joins over 30 states with similar programs, marking a significant policy shift after decades of resistance from Democrats and rural Republicans.
- Critics warn the program could divert funding from public schools, while supporters argue it empowers parents to choose the best educational options for their children.