The Texas Senate approved a bill that would allow parents to direct state education funds for their children to be used outside the public school system, but it could face challenges in the House.
Republican state Sen. Brandon Creighton authored Senate Bill 8, known as The Texas Parental Bill of Rights, which would create an $8,000 education savings account (ESA) per student per year for parents to put toward private school tuition or home school. (pdf)
“I have always believed in our public school system of over 8,000 campuses. Many schools are great, most are good, but we also have those that are failing our students,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a press release. “That is why we need school choice for parents who want options other than their failing public school. As Lt. Governor, we passed school choice through the Senate in 2015 and 2017. Sadly, both bills died in the Texas House without a hearing.”…