As Texas considers a bill that would establish education savings accounts, church leaders such as Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth, are speaking out in support of the legislation.
Former U.S. Rep Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) told Austin Journal that he appreciates the Texas bishops who are voicing support for school choice. He believes school choice aligns with Catholic social teaching and would benefit families who want to send their children to schools that reflect their values but might not be able to afford to do so otherwise.
“I applaud the Texas bishops for standing up for the rights of parents to choose where their children are educated,” Huelskamp said. “Lobbying for school choice in Austin is completely consistent with Catholic social teaching. Such a program would benefit Texas parents of any faith, especially those families who can’t afford a school that reflects their values.”
Texas Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) introduced a bill that would set up education savings accounts, which would enable parents across the state to recoup some of their tax dollars to be put toward an educational institution of their choice, according to Catholic News Agency. Olson said he and other Texas bishops support parental choice in education in a video released in March.
"St. Paul VI spoke well of the Catholic Church’s understanding of education. He said, ‘Parents, who have the primary and inalienable right and duty to educate their children, must enjoy true liberty in their choice of schools.’ Therefore, parental choice continues to be a top priority of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops," Bishop Olson said, according to CNA.
Additionally, state Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) has introduced the Texas Parental Bill of Rights, which would ensure that parents have a right to certain decisions regarding their children's education. The text of the bill says that a parent has “the right to direct the moral and religious training of the parent’s child, make decisions concerning the child’s education, and consent to medical, psychiatric and psychological treatment of the parent’s child.”
If it becomes law, the bill would guarantee that parents could opt their children out of any instructional sessions they object to, such as teachings on sexuality and gender.
Jennifer Allmon, the legislative director for the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, testified in front of the state's education committee in support of parental choice.
"This is not a zero-sum game where private schools win and public schools lose. It is a win-win for communities when all children can flourish in the educational setting best suited for them," she said.
Veronica Alonzo, the Associate Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Dallas, told 12 News that school choice would benefit families across the state, especially those with more than one child.
“There are some families where this would be a game-changer for them, especially if they have multiple children,” Alonzo said. “Because it’s one thing if you have one child, but if you have three or four, this is something that now possibly you may only consider sending one child because of your economic situation at home versus now being able to send the whole family.”
She also argued that parents should have the right to decide how some of their tax dollars are used.
“I’m paying my property taxes and taxes on top of the tuition that I’m paying for my children to attend a private school. But if I was able to have the ability to say I want a portion of that money to be able to offset the cost of educating my child within the school that I believe is going to meet their needs, then I think I have that right as a parent,” Alonzo told 12 News.
