In a major move that could reshape education policy in the Lone Star State, Texas has launched the nation’s most ambitious school choice program to date.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday signed a $1 billion education savings program into law, offering families unprecedented access to public funding for private education and other academic expenses, as Breitbart reports.
The ceremonial bill signing took place at the governor’s mansion in Austin at approximately 2:00 p.m., where Abbott was joined by students and other supporters. Local television stations in Austin carried the event live. The law is scheduled to take effect on Sept. 1, with the program rollout anticipated by late 2026.
The legislation sets aside $1 billion to support the education choices of Texas families. Most households will be eligible for an annual allocation ranging between $10,300 and $10,900 per child -- an amount roughly tied to the state and local per-student funding rate.
These funds will be distributed through education savings accounts, which can be used to pay for private school tuition and a range of school-related services and supplies. The program is also inclusive of students with special needs, providing them with up to $30,000 per year depending on their eligibility. Families who homeschool their children are not left out. The bill includes a provision offering $2,000 annually for homeschooling expenses, creating a broad-based appeal across various educational formats.
Abbott presented the new law as a transformative step for family empowerment in education. “Gone are the days that families were limited to only the school assigned by government,” Abbott said at the signing ceremony. He added, “The day has arrived that empowers parents to choose the school that is best for their child.” His remarks emphasized a longstanding goal of expanding educational options beyond the traditional public school system.
The new legislation arrives after years of political friction and legislative failure surrounding school choice proposals in Texas. Despite repeated attempts, prior efforts had struggled to advance through the state legislature.
While Saturday’s signing drew strong support from many families and school choice advocates, the proposal has met with notable resistance. A coalition of Democratic Party lawmakers and some Republicans -- particularly from rural districts -- voiced opposition during legislative debates.
Their primary concern centers around potential funding shortfalls for public schools. Critics argue that diverting public money into private education could weaken already under-resourced school systems, particularly in smaller or more remote communities. Despite these objections, the bill was successfully carried by State Sen. Brandon Creighton, a Republican, who argued that the benefits of the plan would outweigh the risks.
Creighton defended the measure by pointing to data from other parts of the country. “There are 74 school choice programs across the country, nearly 34 states now,” he said. He continued, “One thing that we know for sure from the data is that student outcomes increase, safety increases, college readiness increases.” Supporters say the new law will give Texas the tools to achieve similar results.
According to Creighton and other proponents, offering families an alternative to assigned public schools creates a competitive environment that improves education quality overall.
With the passage of this bill, Texas now claims the largest starting investment for a school choice program in the country. Other states with similar legislation have implemented smaller pilot programs or limited eligibility.
The size and scope of Texas’ approach have drawn attention from education analysts nationwide. While several states have gradually expanded voucher systems over time, none have launched with such a significant upfront financial commitment. This may signal a broader shift in national education trends, especially in states where conservative leadership seeks to expand parental control over curriculum and school environments.
