School choice in Texas has been one of Governor Abbott’s top priorities this legislative session, giving families public money to send their kids to the school that they choose. His position was met with much criticism from public school officials and rural Republicans. However, the Senate eventually was able to pass a school voucher program along with other provisions in public education.

Senate Bill 8 would give families $8,000 a year for private school tuition, education supplies, and more. Public school districts with less than 20,000 students, would receive $10,000 each year for only two years for each student they lose to the ESA program to go to private school. The entire bill also would prohibit the teaching of sexual orientation and transgenderism in public schools, and provide avenues for parents and the community to speak about issues to the school board and file complaints. 

When Senate Bill 8 reached the Texas House of Representatives, they changed many of the key pieces of legislation. The Texas House already passed an amendment in their budget to prohibit public funds for school voucher-like programs. The idea is not very popular as it diverts money from public schools and the only families that benefit are the ones who can already afford to send their children to private school. The Educational Savings Account program does allow families with special needs children to find other educational resources that fit their child’s needs aside from the classroom. But outside of that, the Texas House Committee that oversaw the bill did not agree with Senate Bill 8’s provisions and cut it down. 

The Texas House Public Education Committee cut down on which students in Texas could receive a school voucher. Under the House’s version of SB 8, it only applies to students with special needs, those at low-performing schools, and those who are economically disadvantaged. This would be a student going to a school that received a D grade or below for two years. Children would be eligible if they had a sibling in the program. This would reduce the number of eligible students Governor Abbott was hoping for. 

According to the Texas Tribune, the House’s version of the bill, however, would increase the funding for students that are special needs and educationally disadvantaged to $10,500. If the student is just educationally disadvantaged, then it would be an increase of $9,000. Lastly, any other student that qualifies would receive $7,000. The House has also removed the restrictions to teach sexual orientation and gender in public schools and the $10,000 stipend for two years that public schools with under 20,000 students would receive for every child they lose to school choice. The House’s version would also change the STAAR test to a test that more aligns with what students are taught in the classroom. 

Governor Greg Abbott is not happy with the House’s version of the bill and has threatened to veto the bill unless they revert back to meaningful school choice legislation.

“This latest version does little to provide meaningful school choice, and legislators deserve to know that it would be vetoed if it reached my desk. Instead, the original House version of the Senate bill provides a more meaningful starting point to begin House-Senate negotiations,” said Governor Abbott.

Governor Abbott also stated he would enact a special session if they do not return to the original version. “As this session has progressed, the number of House members supporting school choice has continued to grow. The realization that the STAAR test will be eliminated if school choice is enacted is attracting even more legislators. No doubt other modifications can be made to the original House version of the Senate bill to attract even more legislators, as well as to bridge the divide with the Senate,” said Governor Abbott. 

School vouchers have struggled to be popular amongst rural Republicans who see them as taking funds away from public schools. Opponents of school vouchers only see it as a way to give discounts to families that can already afford private school.