A school choice voucher program has the votes to pass the Texas Legislature, according to Gov. Greg Abbott.
The results of Tuesday night’s runoff elections have purportedly pushed school choice across the goal line. After Abbott’s campaign for school choice failed to pass during the regular session and four special sessions last year, the governor got to work on the primary campaign trail to unseat his opponents, leaving an indelible mark on the Texas Republican landscape.
As reported in The Dallas Express, 9 of the 13 Texas House Republican incumbents who voted against school choice last year lost.
“While we did not win every race we fought in, the overall message from this year’s primaries is clear: Texans want school choice. Opponents of school choice can no longer ignore the will of the people,” Abbott said, according to NBC 5 DFW.
The field for the November general election is now stacked in favor of school choice, which the governor called “a victory for every Texas family across our great state.”
“As we look ahead to the November general election, we will continue to work tirelessly to elect strong, conservative candidates who will ensure every child in Texas has access to the best education possible — regardless of their zip code or economic background. Working together, we will create an even brighter future for generations to come,” Abbott continued.
School choice has seen considerable traction across the United States, with last year alone seeing the launching or expansion of programs allocating taxpayer money to support families’ private school or homeschooling expenses. Some say the greater accessibility of education alternatives might result in beneficial shifts in academics and offerings within public school districts.
Dallas ISD, for instance, has had lackluster academic results. According to its latest accountability from the Texas Education Agency, just 41% of students scored at grade level on their STAAR exams in the 2021-2022 school year. Moreover, almost 20% of the district’s graduating Class of 2022 did not earn a diploma in four years.
However, others have criticized school choice as stripping funds from public school districts.
Foreseeing the passing of school choice legislation next session, Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde recently stated in an interview with Fox 4 KDFW that public school leaders are “definitely going to have to ask to be a part of the conversations.”