Parents across Texas are celebrating a historic win for education freedom.
On April 17, 2025, the Texas House passed Senate Bill 2 with a strong 85-63 vote, bringing school choice to the Lone Star State.
This historic moment shows there’s now a solid majority in support of school choice — something that wasn’t true just a few years ago.
Under this bill, Texas families could receive about $10,000 per student through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs).
Parents can use this money for private school tuition, homeschool materials, tutoring, or other approved learning expenses.
Think of it like this: If you’ve ever wished you could send your child to that great private school down the road, but couldn’t afford it, this program could help bridge that gap.
Or maybe your child needs extra help with math or reading – these funds could pay for a tutor.
The money – about $1 billion to start the program – would come from Texas’s general revenue fund, not from existing public school dollars.
This means public schools keep their funding while families gain more options.
Governor Greg Abbott called the vote a “landmark victory.”
He’s been fighting hard for school choice, even campaigning against Republican lawmakers who didn’t support ESAs last year.
His efforts paid off, helping flip enough seats to change the outcome this year.
“Public schools won’t lose funding,” Abbott promises.
In fact, he’s proposed $8 billion in new funding for public schools this session, on top of the ESA program.
Who Benefits Most?
Families struggling to get the best education for their kids – especially low-income families or those with children who have special needs – stand to gain the most.
That $10,000 per student could make a world of difference, and these families will be first in line for the program.
But naturally, not everyone is happy about the change.
Many Democrats and some Republicans from rural areas worry about the impact.
Rep. Ken King, a Republican from Canadian, Texas, points out that “In rural areas, public schools are the heart of the community.”
With 158 of Texas’s 254 counties lacking private schools, some families might not benefit as much.
Critics also look to Arizona, where a similar program grew quickly and now costs $864 million.
They predict Texas could see costs rise to $4 billion by 2030.
A Different Story in Nevada
While Texas moves forward with educational freedom, families in Nevada aren’t so fortunate.
Here, legislative Democrats who control both houses of the state legislature have consistently blocked similar initiatives.
Despite repeated attempts to introduce school choice programs in Nevada, Democrat lawmakers remain steadfastly opposed to ESAs or similar programs, leaving Nevada families with fewer options than their Texas counterparts.
This stark difference highlights how political leadership can dramatically impact educational opportunities for families.
While Texas children will soon have more pathways to success, Nevada students remain limited to their assigned public schools unless their families can afford alternatives without assistance.
Thanks for nothing, Democrats.
What Happens Next?
Before anything becomes final, the House and Senate must agree on last-minute details through a conference committee.
They’ll work out exactly who qualifies, how the money is managed, and how schools will be held accountable.
If all goes according to plan, the program would start in the 2026–2027 school year.
If you live in Texas, have children, grandchildren, or other young family members in school, start learning more about how this might help your family.
Visit the Texas Legislature’s website at capitol.texas.gov to follow the bills, or call your local representative to share your thoughts.
This is one of the biggest changes to Texas education in decades.
For conservative families who value educational freedom and parental rights, it represents a chance to choose the best learning environment for their children – something many have wanted for years.
After all, who knows what your child needs better than you do?
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
