AT

Texas Legislature: Vouchers and Public Ed Funding

Texas House Committee Passes Education Bills

Overview

  • The Texas House Public Education Committee passed bills concerning public school funding and private school vouchers.
  • The voucher bill passed along party lines.

House Bill 2: School Funding

  • Adds 7.7 billion in new funds for public schools.
  • Democrats acknowledge it's insufficient for schools in financial difficulty.
  • Increases the basic allotment increase to 395 (from 220).
  • Provides automatic increases to the basic allotment every biennium, tied to property values.
  • Representative Allen stated that a 1,400 increase is needed to catch up to 2019 pre-inflationary levels.
  • Addresses concerns about salary increases for experienced teachers and staffing shortages.
  • Adds preschool and bilingual students to funding increases for students with disabilities.
  • The "hold harmless provision" may be eliminated, affecting the largest 49 school districts. There is commitment to find a fix.

Senate Bill 2 (Committee Substitute): Voucher Program

  • A 1 billion bill for private school vouchers.
  • Sets voucher amount at 85% of the estimated statewide average of state and local funding for students, estimated at 10,330 per student in the first year, growing to 10,889 by 2030.
  • Students with disabilities could receive up to 30,000, and home-schooled students would be eligible for a 2,000 voucher.
  • Caps the number of participants who currently do not attend public schools at 20% of total program participants and is set to expire in 2027.
  • Includes a cap of 1 billion in the first biennium, expiring in September 2027.
  • Eligibility is limited to citizens or nationals of the United States or those lawfully admitted.

Concerns and Opposition

  • Concerns that the bill does not catch up to 2019 funding levels.
  • Most public testimony opposed the voucher bill.
  • Critics emphasize that private schools aren't mandated to enroll or provide services for students with disabilities.
  • The House voucher bill has been called a "blank check for unlimited spending."
  • Only a quarter of voucher participants in states with universal voucher programs were previously in public schools.

Next Steps

  • The two bills could soon be on the floor for a full debate.
  • If the voucher bill passes the House, the Senate would need to accept changes or negotiate differences.