Texas Launches Billion-Dollar School Voucher Program, Following Florida’s Model

Earlier this month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a $1 billion school voucher plan into law, creating one of the largest universal private school choice programs in the United States. The new initiative will provide Texas families with approximately $10,000 through an education savings account to help cover private school tuition. Eligibility extends to all Texas students who are U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted into the country, as reported by Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Governor Abbott described the program as a long-awaited step toward greater educational freedom. “These families, and thousands more, have been yearning to choose a school that best fits their child,” he said during the May 3 signing ceremony in Austin. “Now, they have that option.”

Texas is not the first large state to adopt such a sweeping measure. In 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill removing eligibility requirements from the state’s existing voucher programs, making all students eligible. Since then, Florida has seen explosive growth in voucher participation. More than 500,000 students now receive private school vouchers, a number DeSantis says represents about a third of all vouchers awarded nationwide. An analysis by the Florida Policy Institute estimates total voucher and tax credit costs will reach $4 billion this year, nearly a quarter of the state’s education budget.

As more students opt for private education, Florida public schools are grappling with budget shortfalls. In Orlando, Orange County Public Schools announced plans to lay off over 800 teachers. Cuts have also affected advanced programs such as International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement, which enable high school students to earn college credit.

Key Differences Between Texas and Florida

David Figlio pointed out structural differences between the states. Florida’s county-wide school districts, like Miami-Dade’s, are larger and more flexible in reallocating resources compared to Texas districts. This could make Florida’s districts more resilient to enrollment drops and funding cuts.

In Texas, vouchers are projected to cost $1 billion in its first year, with estimates from the Legislative Budget Board indicating the cost could grow to $4.6 billion by 2030. Texas’ vouchers offer a flat $10,000 per student and include broad eligibility, allowing families already paying for private education to apply. This has sparked concern among families of children with disabilities, since private schools receiving voucher funds are not required to meet the same federal standards as public schools under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Education advocate and Monroe County School Board member Sue Woltanski expressed frustration over the impact of voucher expansion. “I always tell people, I’m going to get a tattoo on my forehead that says, ‘I told you so,’” Woltanski said.