Vouchers, Myths and the Price of School Choice: A Texas-Sized Debate

Written By Randi Skinner

If you want to catch up on the latest voucher system bills, check out the last article linked here.

The ongoing debate about the proposed Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and school vouchers in Texas is stirring up significant discussions. From funding allocation to the true impact on public schools, many questions remain. This article breaks down some of the most important aspects of the voucher system and its implications for Texas families and education. Here's a quick overview of some of the FAQs that I have seen:

  • Is funding for vouchers coming from the public education budget?

  • How does “money following the student” work?

  • Does this take money away from public schools?

  • Will the voucher amount cover tuition?

  • Do the current bills actually prioritize low-income students?

  • How does the Texas Education Agency (TEA) factor in?

  • Will vouchers affect equity and rural schools?

  • What about homeschooling?

  • What’s happening with the legislation?

  • Why is Governor Abbott so upset about the opposition to vouchers?

Is funding for vouchers coming from the public education budget?

School funding in Texas is complex, and there are experts who can provide deeper context on how funds are allocated. If you'd like a deep dive into the broader education budget let me know—I would be down to explore that in another article.

For now, here’s what I can confirm regarding the proposed voucher system in the Senate and House bills:

The $1 billion allocated for Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) could possibly come from the state's General Revenue Fund, but the budget does not explicitly state whether this money is pulled from existing public education funds. Since ESA funds "follow the student" to private schools, they will impact overall education funding. That is the real budget concern here the “follow the student” process.

How does “money following the student” work?

One of the core ideas behind the school choice initiative we are seeing in Texas, like vouchers/ ESAs, is that education funding would be tied to the student rather than the public school system. In the most basic sense — instead of state funding automatically flowing to a student’s assigned public school a portion of those funds would be set aside in an ESA if the student opts for a private school, homeschooling, or another alternative education setting.

This means that when a student leaves a public school for a private institution, the money that would have supported their education in the public system is instead made available for tuition, educational materials, or other approved expenses at their chosen school.

Does this take money away from public schools?

That’s the key debate. Supporters argue that since the funding is meant for the child’s education, it should follow them wherever they learn. Critics counter that public schools rely on state funding, which is largely based on student enrollment numbers. When students leave the public system, schools likely receive less funding while still having to cover fixed costs like teacher salaries and facility maintenance.

Ultimately, if the money follows the student, it means it moves from their current school to their new one. Alternatively, it could also be allocated to private school students who were never enrolled in public school, making current private school students eligible for these funds.

  • Here’s some resources if you want to do a budget dive:

Will the voucher amount cover tuition?

Short Answer: Not entirely. The $10,000 ESA may help, but for many families, it won’t be enough to cover the full cost of private school tuition.

Key Facts:

Low-income families, and even many middle-income families, may struggle to afford the remaining tuition costs—not to mention additional expenses like fees, uniforms, and transportation.

Plus, it's important to remember that private school expenses go far beyond just tuition, often exceeding what families would typically spend in a public school setting.

Do SB2/HB2/HB3 Prioritize Low-Income Students?

Q: Do the current voucher bills (SB2/HB2/HB3) prioritize low-income students?
A: Not really. While HB3 includes language stating that low-income families and students with disabilities will be prioritized for Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), the reality is more complicated.

Q: How is this a "bait and switch"?
A: The bill claims to prioritize low-income families, but the details tell a different story:

  • Tuition Gaps: A $10,000 ESA won’t fully cover private school tuition, meaning low-income families may struggle to afford the difference.

  • First-Come, First-Served: If the program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, families with more resources and knowledge of the system will still have the advantage.

Q: Does the bill include a cap that prevents tuition from being raised on ESA students:
A: The bill does include a provision limiting private schools from significantly increasing tuition for ESA students, which sounds great in theory. However, the reality is that low-income—and even many middle-income—families would still struggle to cover any tuition costs beyond the voucher amount.

Will More Money Be Allocated to Public Education?

Not exactly. While the bills claim to increase funding for public education, they quietly shift $1 billion to private school vouchers. This is essentially a budget shuffle, taking money away from public schools and redirecting it to private institutions.

What about the Texas Education Agency (TEA)?

Abbott and other voucher proponents have conveniently left out the fact they are working to have the Texas Education Agency be eliminated, meaning less oversight and accountability in the education system.

Will Vouchers Affect Equity and Rural Schools?

Q: Won’t rural schools be protected from funding loss with vouchers?
A: Not quite. While proponents argue that rural schools won’t lose money, the math doesn’t add up. Fewer students means less funding, while fixed costs stay the same. This leads to budget cuts, fewer resources, and struggling schools, particularly in rural areas.

Q: Is $10,000 enough for low-income families to cover private school tuition?
A: No. While a $10,000 voucher may sound good, it won’t cover the full cost of private school tuition. Low-income families would likely struggle to pay the difference, exacerbating equity concerns.

What About Homeschooling?

Short Answer: The Texas Legislature will negotiate a final version of the voucher and education funding bills. This isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a Texas issue that affects all students.

What’s Happening with the Bills?

Short Answer: The Texas Legislature will negotiate a final version of the voucher and education funding bills. This isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a Texas issue that affects all students.

Key Points:

  • SB2: The original voucher bill, passed by the Senate.

  • HB2: A House bill that proposes increasing public education funding (along with other provisions).

  • HB3: A revised voucher bill that appears improved but still pulls money from public education and doesn’t address the realities of school funding or equitable access.

What’s Next?

  • The Senate and House will now negotiate a final version of the bill.

  • If a compromise is reached, it will go back through both chambers for approval.

  • The concern: Unless funding is created separately (instead of pulling from public education), the system will sacrifice resources for 5.5 million public school students to benefit around 100,000 voucher recipients.

Why is Governor Abbott so upset?

Q: What’s the deal with this being made a partisan issue?

A: Governor Abbott is increasingly emphasizing that this is a partisan debate, pointing fingers at Democrats and the media. However, the reality is that vouchers are not just a partisan issue—they impact all Texans, and the conversation goes beyond political lines. The idea that this is just Democrats and media making up lies is well - just childish. If Texans want this then why not just share everything pros and cons very clearly. Unfortunately that’s just not how it works and it sucks.

Q: What’s the deal with Governor Abbott’s "Myths vs. Facts" response?
A: Abbott’s “Myths vs. Facts” response leaves out key details and doesn't present the full picture. As expected, it’s more about deflecting criticism than addressing the real issues at hand.

Below is what Governor Abbott has stated are the Myth’s circulating (by the democrats and media). So feel free to dive in here a bit more to make your own conclusions. You can click on the image to be taken to his post.

Here’s the thing, in my opinion—vouchers are a solid idea, offering more options, choice and flexibility for students. But the real concern lies in how they're funded under the current bills. We’re asking public education to do more with less, expecting innovation from a system already struggling with funding—a core issue behind why some public schools are considered "underperforming." So, the real question is: is this truly about expanding educational choice for better outcomes, or is there something else at play?

The voucher system and its potential impact on Texas education is a complex and multifaceted issue. While advocates argue it gives families more options, the reality is that it could undermine public schools, hurt rural areas, and leave many low-income families struggling to cover tuition gaps. The legislative process is still ongoing, but Texans deserve full transparency and a clear understanding of what’s at stake. Have some resources that can help us learn more as regular old Texan citizens? Send my way!

Randi Skinner
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Understanding HB2, HB3 and SB2: A Path Forward for Texas Education?