The Texas House approved Texas Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), providing a $1 billion Education Savings Account (ESA) program and a significant shift in the state’s education policy. The bill will allow families to leverage public funds for private school tuition and other educational expenses.
Key provisions:
Education Savings Accounts (ESAs): Eligible families can receive approximately $10,000 annually per child to cover costs such as private school tuition, homeschooling resources, tutoring, and educational materials. Students with disabilities may be eligible for up to $11,500.
Eligibility and Prioritization: All Texas students can apply. If applications exceed available slots, 80% of the funds will prioritize low-income students and those with disabilities, with the remaining 20% distributed via lottery.
Program Cap: The program is initially capped at 100,000 students.
Governance: The Texas Comptroller’s office will oversee the ESA program, ensuring funds are directed to pre-approved vendors without direct parental control or reimbursements.
Companion Legislation – House Bill 2 (HB 2):
Alongside SB 2, the House passed HB 2, a $7.7 billion public education funding bill that increases the basic allotment per student from $6,160 to $6,555.
The bill also provides $3 billion for teacher salary increases and $1.5 billion for special education enhancements.
In addition, there are now limits to hiring uncertified teachers for core subjects.
As of April 21, 2025, both SB 2 and HB 2 await final reconciliation between the House and Senate versions before being presented to the governor for signature.
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