A recent poll from the University of Texas suggests a majority of the state generally supports school choice initiatives, with rural residents leading the way.
According to the poll, rural Texans showed the most support for school choice and vouchers compared to urban or suburban groups. The findings subvert the general assertion that rural Republicans dislike school choice proposals.
Overall, 58% of respondents said they either strongly or somewhat support “establishing a voucher, educational saving account (ESA), or other ‘school choice’ program in Texas.”
Conversely, only 27% in total said they either strongly or somewhat opposed the proposition, while 15% said they had no opinion.
Notably, a majority of white, black, and Hispanic respondents supported school choice. Similarly, most urban, suburban, and rural respondents answered in the affirmative.
A total of 66% of rural respondents said they strongly or somewhat supported school choice. The result drew the attention of supporters for increased school choice.
Vocal advocate Cory DeAngelis shared the results, adding, “Don’t tell me rural voters don’t want school choice.”
“That’s just an excuse for fake Republicans to oppose their party platform,” he continued. “No more excuses. It’s time, Texas.”
Several Texas legislators responded on Twitter, with Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) saying that the Texas Legislature “must pass education freedom for all Texas Families. Every. Single. One. Now.”
Similarly, Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) added, “Let’s get it done. School choice for all!”
Opponents, however, suggested that the polling was poorly framed.
Cornell Woolridge explained, “Notice how the question is worded. It ask[s] about vouchers OR some vague ‘school choice’ option. Texans already have school choice, so supporting what you already have is a pretty easy ask. Also, how many [people] were polled?”
Still, the results from the UT Austin poll echo the findings of other institutions that the majority of Texans support school choice initiatives.
A University of Texas at Tyler poll from June found 54% of respondents would either strongly or somewhat support a program that “allows parents to use state funding to send their children to private schools.” On the other hand, 34% of people answering the poll said they either somewhat or strongly oppose the idea.
