A middle-of-the-night vote in the Texas House of Representatives has given initial approval to Senate Bill 2, and Governor Abbott can finally declare that he got his wish. Senate Bill 2 is the controversial Texas bill that approves a $1 billion school voucher program—a program that will significantly shift the way funds earmarked for public education are used in the state. This has long been on Governor Abbott’s list of wants for his term in office, yet it’s taken years—and a vote in the middle of the night—to get it to pass.
Contained in Senate Bill 2 are the following conditions:
– The ability to create Education Savings Accounts (or ESAs, for those of us who will get tired of typing that out).
– $10,000 per student, with $11,500 for students with disabilities.
– Parents can use the money for any educational expense—tuition, uniforms, tutoring, the fancy highlighters, etc.
The bill is tied to a broader effort to expand school choice across the state of Texas, funneling more finances toward private schools and away from neighborhood public schools that have been struggling financially. The final House vote is still pending, so there is still a chance the bill hits a snag—but it’s not looking super likely.
Why does Senate Bill 2 matter for the rest of the country?
The Texas public school system is one of the largest networks of public schools in the country, and if this bill passes, it will significantly reshape the landscape of public education in the state. If put into motion, this bill has the authority to redirect public dollars to private education institutions, many of which are religiously affiliated. Public school advocates are justifiably concerned that this will decimate their already meager budgets, while supporters say it gives parents the power to choose what they feel is best for their child.
In the Texas House chamber, all Democrats and two Republican representatives voted against the bill, saying they didn’t want public funds going toward private institutions. The Texas public school system was once held up as the standard for public education nationwide, and these lawmakers have concerns about diverting funds from once-thriving schools that have been struggling for well over a decade now. Many of those who voted against the bill say that voucher programs benefit families who are already able to afford private school, rather than the students who need help the most. The House also passed HB 2, which raises some basic public school funding, but critics of Senate Bill 2 say it doesn’t go nearly far enough—and is the equivalent of putting a Hello Kitty band-aid on a hemorrhaging wound.
Governor Abbott and Republicans who voted in favor of the bill are calling it a “historic win for parents,” saying it will give parents more options for their children. The Governor and his supporters say the voucher program will especially benefit parents who are dissatisfied with their local public schools, allowing them to look outside of their assigned school system to give their child a better education. The argument supporters of the voucher program are making is that competition for students will force public schools to improve, and that rural voters, homeschooling families, and parents who would prefer religious instruction can now more easily access different solutions if they don’t like the public school option they’ve been zoned for.
There is still another vote to go before all is said and done, and the debate—while enjoying a major victory today—is far from over. As any educator will tell you, if you have concerns about the quality of your child’s education, the best thing you can do is get actively involved. Read to your child, help with homework, reach out to teachers and see if they have any volunteer needs at the school—and why not? Check what’s on the lunch menu, even if your kid brings food from home. Public, private, or whatever your preferred flavor of organized chaos—your child’s education deserves your attention. So clean out that backpack (those crumbs are from before Spring Break, and we all know it), and make sure you’re keeping an eye on state and local education policies.
