Education Savings Accounts
In Texas, the debate over school vouchers has become a lightning rod for political controversy, especially as Governor Greg Abbott pushes hard for their implementation. School vouchers.
Vouchers often referred to as “education savings accounts” (ESAs), are taxpayer-funded subsidies that allow parents to use public money to pay for private school tuition or other educational expenses.
Supporters, like Abbott, argue that vouchers give families more choice and improve education quality by fostering competition. Critics, however, warn that vouchers drain essential funds from public schools, leaving them under-resourced and struggling to serve the majority of students.
This article dives into one of the most contentious claims in this debate: Do voucher programs really increase funding for public schools, as Governor Abbott has asserted?
We’ll break down the facts, examine the evidence, and explore why this issue has sparked such fierce opposition from educators and lawmakers alike.
What Are School Vouchers?
At their core, school vouchers are a form of government funding that allows parents to redirect public education dollars toward private schools or other educational services.
In Texas, the proposed voucher system would provide families with around $10,000 per student annually to cover private school tuition, homeschooling costs, or other approved expenses.
The idea is to give parents more control over their child’s education, especially if they feel their local public school isn’t meeting their needs.
But here’s the catch: public schools are funded based on student enrollment. When students leave for private schools using vouchers, the funding follows them, meaning public schools lose money for each student who departs.
This has raised alarms among educators and rural lawmakers who fear that vouchers could devastate already underfunded public school systems, particularly in small towns where schools are often the heart of the community.
Governor Abbott’s Bold Claim
Governor Abbott has been vocal in his support for vouchers, claiming that they not only benefit families but also boost public school funding.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Abbott stated, “In 97% of states with school choice programs, funding for public schools has gone UP.”
He went on to argue that “School choice helps every student thrive” and that “NO funds from public schools would be used for an ESA.”
These statements have been met with skepticism, especially from groups like the Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT), who argue that the governor’s claims don’t hold up under scrutiny. So, what’s the truth?
Fact-Checking the Governor’s Claims
Let’s take a closer look at the data. According to a fact-check by Texas AFT, Abbott’s assertion that voucher programs increase public school funding is misleading at best. Here’s why:
- Funding Doesn’t Actually Increase: While it’s true that some states with voucher programs have seen nominal increases in public school funding, these increases often fail to keep pace with inflation or rising operational costs.
- In states like Florida and Indiana, which have long-running voucher programs, per-student funding for public schools has actually decreased when adjusted for inflation. For example, Florida’s public school funding dropped by 12% between 2008 and 2019, even as voucher spending skyrocketed by 883% in Georgia over the same period.
- Voucher Costs Balloon: Voucher programs start small but tend to expand rapidly. In states like Arizona and Florida, what began as limited programs for low-income or special-needs students quickly morphed into universal voucher systems, costing billions. Texas, with its massive student population, could see voucher costs soar to $4.5 billion by 2030, according to fiscal analyses. This raises concerns about whether the state can sustain both vouchers and adequate public school funding.
- Public Schools Left Behind: Even Texas Education Agency (TEA) officials have privately admitted that vouchers would decrease funding for public schools. Since public schools are funded based on attendance, every student who leaves for a private school takes their share of state funding with them. This leaves public schools with less money to educate the remaining students, many of whom come from higher-need populations.
The Rural Republican Resistance
One of the most surprising aspects of the voucher debate in Texas is the fierce opposition from rural Republicans.
Historically, these lawmakers have joined Democrats to block voucher proposals, and for good reason. In small towns, public schools are often the largest employers and the center of community life.
Vouchers, which are more likely to benefit urban families with access to private schools, offer little to rural areas where private options are scarce.
As Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) put it during a heated committee hearing, “We’re not blinking.” Rural lawmakers like King argue that vouchers would siphon money from their already cash-strapped schools without providing any real alternatives for their constituents.
The Accountability Gap
Another major concern is the lack of accountability in private schools that accept voucher funds. Unlike public schools, which must adhere to strict testing, transparency, and anti-discrimination standards, private schools are not required to meet the same benchmarks. This means:
- No Standardized Testing: Private schools don’t have to administer state-mandated tests, making it difficult to measure student progress or school performance.
- Discrimination Risks: Private schools can turn away students based on disability, sexual orientation, or other factors, leaving vulnerable students with fewer options.
- Financial Opacity: There’s little oversight on how voucher funds are spent, raising the risk of fraud or misuse.
For example, in states like Arizona, voucher funds have been used for luxury items like jet skis and beauty school tuition, highlighting the potential for abuse.
What’s Next for Texas?
Despite the pushback, Governor Abbott remains confident that vouchers will pass in the next legislative session. After the 2024 elections, Abbott claimed that the Texas House now has 79 “hardcore school choice proponents,” just enough to secure a majority. However, the fight is far from over.
Democrats and rural Republicans continue to resist, warning that vouchers could lead to a two-tiered education system where public schools are left to wither.
As the debate heats up, Texans are left to wonder: Will vouchers truly expand educational opportunities, or will they undermine the public schools that serve 90% of the state’s students?
Conclusion
The voucher debate in Texas is more than just a policy disagreement—it’s a battle over the future of education in the state. While Governor Abbott insists that vouchers will benefit all students, the evidence suggests otherwise.
Public schools, already facing budget shortfalls, could see their funding slashed further, while private schools operate with little oversight. As lawmakers prepare for the next session, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
For more on this issue, check out the Texas AFT’s fact-check and Governor Abbott’s press releases on school choice.