The Texas House of Representatives has approved a controversial plan under Senate Bill 2 to fund private school tuition using public funds. The bill, which aims to introduce an Education Savings Account (ESA) program, passed after extensive debates.
The ESA program will be managed by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. It will allow parents to receive approximately $10,000, or 85% of the state’s estimated per-student funding. This amount can be used towards private school tuition for their children.
The bill stipulates that the funding increase applies primarily to eligible families seeking alternative education options outside the public school system.
The funding is designed to help parents meet the financial demands of private schooling without relying solely on personal resources.
The bill requires further approval from the Texas Senate before it can be enacted. Previous attempts to pass similar measures faced opposition in the legislature, highlighting the contentious nature of this issue.
In addition to the ESA program, the bill proposes an increase in the base funding for public schools. The proposed rise is from $6,160 to $6,555 per student, marking the first increase since 2019.
The Texas Legislature acknowledges the need to adjust funding levels to meet the demands of an evolving educational landscape.
