Following Governor Greg Abbott's recent emphasis on school choice as an urgent matter, the Texas Senate has passed a bill aimed at establishing education savings accounts for parents to utilize state funds for non-public educational services. The legislation, known as the Texas Education Freedom Act (SB 2), was authored by Senator Brandon Creighton from Conroe. It proposes using $1 billion in surplus revenue to create approximately 100,000 education savings accounts managed by the Office of the Comptroller.
Senator Creighton highlighted the necessity of providing customized educational paths for students whose needs are unmet by their local districts due to safety concerns, lack of services, or academic quality. "We understand why families many times across this state are constantly searching for opportunities for a path in education for their specific student," he stated.
This bill marks Texas as potentially the 33rd state to implement a school choice program and is noted as having the largest initial funding allocation nationwide. The initiative allows up to 100,000 Texas students access to public funds for private education services. If applications exceed capacity, priority will be given based on financial or special educational needs.
The proposed accounts start at $2,000 and can increase up to $10,000 if a student attends an accredited private school, with additional funds available for special education requirements. Despite being likened to "voucher programs," Creighton clarified that parents would not directly handle these funds; they remain under comptroller control who ensures service providers meet state standards.
Opposition from some senators includes concerns about transparency and accountability in private schools that may not admit all applicants. San Antonio Senator José Menéndez pointed out that private institutions could deny admission even when public schools cannot. Dallas Senator Royce West questioned whether the financial need threshold adequately targets those most in need.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick urged the House to act following this sixth Senate passage of a school choice measure: "And now we look for the House - this being the sixth time we’ve passed school choice - to finally step up and give this opportunity to every child in Texas."
