US EditionTexas lawmakers approve $1B private school voucher plan
- On April 24, 2025, Texas legislators approved a $1 billion measure that enables families to use public funding to cover private school tuition fees.
- The bill follows decades of efforts led by Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott, who mobilized GOP support in the 2024 elections to overcome Democratic and rural Republican opposition.
- Supporters claim the voucher program helps parents move children out of low-performing public schools and encourages competition to improve education, while critics argue it undermines public schools and benefits wealthier families.
- Families may receive annual funds of up to $10,000 for each student, with those having disabilities qualifying for as much as $30,000. Initially, the program aims to support around 90,000 students with a budget capped at $1 billion, but funding could expand substantially, reaching nearly $4.5 billion annually by the year 2030.
- The bill, described by the Senate Democratic caucus as public subsidization of private school choice and a step backward for Texas, now awaits Gov. Abbott's expected signature and marks a major victory for voucher proponents nationwide.
152 Articles
152 Articles
The Trump Administration Wants to Promote School Vouchers for Military Families. Would It Help?
In January, the Trump administration issued an executive order requiring the Department of Defense to come up with a proposal that would determine the feasibility of creating a program letting military families take federal funding and spend it on the school of their choice, including helping pay for religious schools, while possibly reducing funding for Defense Department facilities that rank among the highest performing nationally.
Texas Passes Nation’s Largest Universal Education Savings Account Program into Law
by Mariane Angela Texas has passed Senate Bill 2, which establishes the largest Universal Education Savings Account (ESA) program in the country. The Texas Senate voted 19-12 to accept House revisions to Senate Bill 2, clearing the way for Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to sign into law the largest universal ESA program in the country. The $1 billion program would allow taxpayer funds to support private school tuition and homeschooling expe…
Texas Greenlights Nation’s Largest Universal Education Savings Account Program Into Law
Texas has passed Senate Bill 2, which establishes the largest Universal Education Savings Account (ESA) program in the country. The Texas Senate voted 19-12 to accept House revisions to Senate Bill 2, clearing the way for Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to sign into law the largest universal ESA program in the country. The $1 billion program […] Texas Greenlights Nation’s Largest Universal Education Savings Account Program Into Law
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
