Yesterday, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 2, which introduces Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to help fund private and homeschool education using public tax dollars. The bill, authored by Senator Brandon Creighton, passed with a 19-12 vote after hours of debate. ESAs will provide families with up to $10,000 per student annually for private school tuition and other educational expenses. For children with disabilities, the amount increases to $11,500, and homeschooling families can receive at least $2,000 per student.
Supporters argue that the bill offers parents more educational choices and could improve outcomes by fostering competition. However, opponents worry that it will divert funds from public schools and exacerbate existing inequalities. Governor Greg Abbott, who made the ESA program a priority, is expected to sign the bill into law.
The bill now moves to the Texas House of Representatives, where similar legislation has faced resistance in the past. If passed, the program will be funded with $1 billion over the next two years, a significant increase from previous proposals. The ESAs will be distributed through a lottery system, prioritizing low-income families and children with disabilities.
The passage of SB 2 marks a significant moment in Texas education policy, with potential long-term impacts on the state's educational landscape. The debate over the bill underscores the ongoing national conversation about school choice and public education funding.