Gov. Greg Abbott has expanded the agenda for the third special session of the 88th Texas Legislature to include additional school finance, such as teacher pay raises, school safety, and special education, the Office of the Texas Governor said. Abbott, a Republican, said that the announcement follows what he described as productive discussions with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Representative Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont).
“Working with Speaker Phelan and his House leadership team, the Speaker and I reached an agreement on school choice for Texas families, and I am expanding the agenda for Special Session #3,” the governor said in an October 31 press release. “The legislation will create an Education Savings Accounts program with universal eligibility for all Texas schoolchildren and will be entirely voluntary for families and schools to participate,” said Abbott.
Abbott added that participating students will receive about $10,400 annually in their Education Savings Account, which is under the watch of an education organization overseen by the Texas Comptroller, according to the release. His office intends to provide billions more in public education funding to prop up the state’s public school system, which may include the elimination of State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test, the release said.
Per the release, the governor said that it’s all part of an effort to deliver school choice to the state, and he’s looking forward to working with both chambers to make it into law.
Houston Daily reported last month that the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 1, a piece of legislation that would establish a state voucher program allowing parents in Texas to use taxpayer dollars for private education. The measure was authored by State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe). The publication additionally reported that the upper chamber also approved another bill authored by Creighton, SB 2. This bill would allocate $5.2 billion to school districts to assist with teacher raises and rising costs. Abbott has made education freedom a priority in the third special session, which began on October 9. In a press release announcing the session, Abbott stated, “Together, we will chart a brighter future for all Texas children by empowering parents to choose the best education option for their child.”
Abbott has made education freedom a priority in the third special session, which began on October 9. In a press release announcing the session, Abbott stated, “Together, we will chart a brighter future for all Texas children by empowering parents to choose the best education option for their child.”
