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4mo ago

Texas Enacts Landmark $1 Billion Universal School Choice Program

Governor Greg Abbott signs Senate Bill 2 into law, creating one of the nation’s largest voucher programs to fund private and alternative education starting in the 2026–27 school year.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott gives the thumbs up during the signing event for an executive order to shut down the Department of Education by U.S. President Donald Trump, in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 20, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
FILE - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott talks in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)
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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.