On May 3, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2 into law, introducing a $1 billion school voucher program that allows families to use public funds for private school tuition and other educational expenses. This new Education Savings Account (ESA) initiative is one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. and is set to begin in the 2026–2027 school year, supporting up to 90,000 students initially.
Under the ESA program, families will receive between $10,300 and $10,900 per student annually, which covers approximately 85% of the funding allocated to public schools per student. Advocates for the bill argue that it gives parents more control over their children’s education and promotes competition among schools.
However, the legislation has drawn significant criticism from public school advocates, as well as some rural Republicans. Critics argue that the program will divert essential funds from public schools, potentially widening educational inequalities. There are also concerns regarding the lack of accountability for private schools receiving public money.
The passage of Senate Bill 2 follows a sustained effort by Governor Abbott to push for school choice initiatives, despite opposition from some lawmakers. The debate over this new program is expected to continue as part of ongoing discussions about the future of education in Texas.
