Texas Approves Landmark School Choice Bill, Reshaping Education Funding and Family Options

On April 17, 2025, Texas lawmakers made history. The state House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 2, a universal school choice program, by a vote of 85-63, marking the first time both legislative chambers approved such a measure. The bill, now awaiting the governor’s signature, allows families to use state funds for private school tuition, homeschooling, or other educational expenses. It’s a decision that could reshape how millions of Texas children learn, and it’s already sending ripples across the nation.

For parents, the promise is straightforward: more control over their kids’ education. The program offers up to $10,000 per year for students attending accredited private schools, with higher amounts for those with disabilities and smaller sums for homeschoolers. Supporters hail it as a victory for families seeking alternatives to public schools, while critics warn it could strain the state’s education system. The debate is far from settled, and Texas is now ground zero for a national conversation about the future of schooling.

Senate Bill 2 is ambitious in scope. It makes all six million K-12 students in Texas eligible for education savings accounts, with funding tied to public school per-pupil spending. Low- and middle-income families are prioritized, but 20% of the slots are reserved for higher-income households. Private schools must have operated for at least two years to participate, and the program’s first-year budget is capped at $1 billion, though estimates suggest costs could climb to $4.5 billion by 2030.

The legislation also includes a $7.7 billion boost for public schools, the largest in state history. Advocates argue this pairing ensures public education isn’t left behind. Yet, some educators and policymakers question whether the increase is enough to offset potential funding losses as students leave public schools. For families, the bill opens doors to private institutions or homeschooling, but the cost of tuition often exceeds the voucher amount, leaving some wondering if the program truly levels the playing field.

Decades of research on school choice paint a mixed picture. A 2024 meta-analysis found that 84% of studies show positive effects on student achievement, particularly in reading and math, with long-term voucher participants often outperforming public school peers. In Florida, students in a similar program were 12% more likely to attend college. Charter schools, another choice option, have shown gains equivalent to weeks of additional learning, especially for underserved communities.

But not all outcomes are rosy. Some studies, like those in Louisiana, report declines in math scores among voucher students, often tied to the quality of participating private schools. Fiscal impacts are equally complex. School choice programs have saved taxpayers billions nationwide by reducing per-student costs, yet expanding universal programs can disrupt public school budgets. In states like Ohio and Florida, districts have faced funding cuts as students exit, raising concerns about resource strain.

Parents are driving much of the momentum behind school choice. Surveys show 73% of U.S. parents support open enrollment, and 65% back vouchers when informed about them. In Texas, families cite academic quality, safety, and values alignment as reasons for seeking alternatives. For some, the bill is a lifeline, offering access to schools that better fit their children’s needs. Others, however, worry about affordability, as private school tuition often outpaces the voucher amount.

Educators and public school advocates raise different concerns. Teachers’ unions and some rural lawmakers argue that diverting funds to private options could weaken public schools, particularly in areas with declining enrollment. Recent ballot measures in states like Colorado and Nebraska, where voters rejected choice expansions, suggest public skepticism persists. The tension reflects a broader divide: empowering parents versus preserving a public system that serves all.

Texas’s path to universal school choice was anything but smooth. Efforts to pass voucher legislation date back decades, often stalled by opposition from rural lawmakers and public school advocates. The issue gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, as frustrations over school closures and curriculum fueled parental demand. After repeated legislative failures, the 2025 session saw a shift, with new pro-voucher lawmakers replacing opponents in key primaries.

The bill’s passage is a political milestone, but it’s not the end of the story. Legal challenges are likely, with opponents citing concerns about public funds flowing to religious schools and a lack of accountability for private institutions. As Texas prepares to implement the nation’s largest day-one school choice program, questions about oversight, equity, and long-term impacts loom large.

Texas’s experiment with universal school choice will be closely watched. If signed into law, the program could set a precedent for other states, where similar debates are heating up. Supporters see it as a bold step toward educational freedom, giving parents the power to choose what’s best for their kids. Critics, meanwhile, warn of unintended consequences, from funding shortages to increased inequities for students who remain in public schools.

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: education in Texas is at a crossroads. Families will gain new options, but the trade-offs are still unfolding. The nation will be watching to see whether Texas’s gamble pays off, or if it sparks a reckoning for the balance between public and private education.