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Victory! Texas Enacts Universal School Choice

April 18, 2025

In a monumental victory for students and their families, universal school choice is coming to Texas, the nation’s second-largest state.  

This week, the Texas House of Representatives passed legislation that empowers families to select the best schooling option for their students. All Texas families will now have the opportunity to receive education savings accounts (ESAs) that they can use to pay for a variety of educational expenses, including tuition, supplies, and tutoring.  

ESAs free families to choose the educational options that serve the specific needs of their children. With this legislation, Texas is ensuring that funds for education will follow the individual student instead of an entrenched bureaucracy that often fails to help students reach their highest potential.  

In enacting this landmark legislation, Texas lawmakers have rejected the scare tactics of teachers unions and their allies in the media. With the leadership of Gov. Greg Abbott, the support of President Trump, and the commitment of House and Senate leaders, this new legislation propels the Lone Star State to join the school-choice movement that is rapidly spreading around the country. Already, 15 states have adopted universal school-choice programs modeled after the original ESA program created by the Goldwater Institute in Arizona. These programs not only empower families but also cost taxpayers less per student than the public school systems that have failed to meet their needs. 

Goldwater will continue to support school-choice efforts so that every child in every state has the chance to reach their highest potential.  

Timothy K. Minella is the Senior Constitutionalism Fellow at the Goldwater Institute.  

 

 

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