The Texas House and Senate have approved versions of Senate Bill 2, which provides $1 billion to fund Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). This makes the Lone Star State the 18th in the nation to offer public money for educational alternatives, including private schools.
Under the Senate bill, students enrolled in accredited private schools would receive $10,000 per year, or $11,500 if the student is disabled.
It was a personal victory for Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who endorsed 15 challengers to his own party’s incumbents last year as his education initiatives in the GOP-controlled legislature were stymied. Following the primaries and runoffs, the governor declared he had the votes to pass School Choice and fund the ESAs.
“For the first time in Texas history, our state has passed a universal school choice bill out of both chambers in the Texas Legislature. This is an extraordinary victory for the thousands of parents who have advocated for more choices when it comes to the education of their children. Texas could not have accomplished this without the hard work and unwavering support from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, Chairman Brandon Creighton, and Chairman Brad Buckley. I applaud the legislators who took a stand with the overwhelming majority of Texans who support school choice. When it reaches my desk, I will swiftly sign this bill into law, creating the largest day-one school choice program in the nation and putting Texas on a pathway to becoming the best state in America for educating our kids.”
There are some differences between the two bills:
- While the Senate’s version gives $10,000 per student to use on private schools, the House bill bases the amount on a funding formula, which could make that total even higher.
- A big difference is how much to give students with disabilities: The House wants to give $30,000 per student, while the Senate’s version is $11,500.
- If demand exceeds the budget, the Senate’s version would make 80% of the allocated budget income-based. The House wants it to be 100%.
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, the presiding officer in the Texas Senate, urged his body to accept the House version of the bill to avoid prolonged reconciliation of the two measures:
“I’ve fought for school choice for my entire legislative career,” Patrick wrote on social media. “I am recommending the Senate concur with Senate Bill 2, the largest school choice launch in American history.”
The Texas Legislature is scheduled to end its 2025 session June 2nd.
