Texas House Unveils Competing School Voucher Plan

Texas is close to enacting a school voucher program with two main legislative proposals: House Bill 3 (HB3) and Senate Bill 2 (SB2). While SB2 proposes a flat $10,000 per student for education savings accounts, HB3 ties the voucher amount to 85% of public school funding per student, with a cap for students with disabilities, aiming to mitigate concerns about draining public resources. Supporters argue these proposals enhance educational choice and empower families, while critics fear they will undermine public school funding, especially in rural areas. The Texas Senate has already passed SB2, and as the bills move forward, the differing funding mechanisms and prioritization of students with disabilities are central to the ongoing debate. The outcome of these proposals will significantly impact the future of education in Texas. Governor Abbott has been a strong advocate for advancing the voucher initiative.