Texas Passes $1B School Voucher Program

Texas lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 2, a $1 billion school voucher program enabling families to use public funds for private school tuition, homeschooling, and virtual learning, with the Texas Comptroller's Office administering the initiative. The program, which awaits Governor Greg Abbott's signature, will initially serve up to 90,000 students, providing up to $10,000 per student annually and up to $30,000 for students with disabilities. It is set to launch in the 2026-27 school year and may expand to $4.5 billion annually by 2030. Texas will join over 30 other states with similar programs, becoming one of the largest states to implement universal education savings accounts. Supporters believe the law will increase parental choice and drive improvements in public schools, while critics warn it could reduce resources for over 5 million students in public education. Lawmakers are also considering additional bills regarding school transfers for students victimized by school employees.