The Texas State Board of Education withdrew its opposition to school vouchers and other programs allowing parents to use public funds to pay for private education, according to a Feb. 7 tweet from Texas Scorecard publisher Michael Quinn Sullivan.
"Big: Texas State Board of Education backtracks and completely flips on School Choice," Sullivan wrote. "Now in favor of putting parents in charge of education. 'If you want school choice, you’re not an enemy to public education,' SBOE member L.J. Francis."
Following the November 2022 general election, the Texas State Board of Education was comprised of 10 Republicans and five Democrats, according to the Austin American-Statesman. The vote to rescind the body's school vouchers opposition was seen as largely symbolic, with all five Democrats opposed, and all Republicans either in favor or abstaining.
The vote signaled that both the Texas Legislature and the Texas State Board of Education are now more open to expanding school vouchers and educational savings accounts, a reversal from the prior board's vote on a similar bill in November, which was voted down 11-2. Several Republicans who were opposed to school vouchers prior to the general election were replaced by Republicans who are in favor.
Education savings accounts (ESAs) would allow parents to use the money allotted for each student for public education to be used for education outside the public school system. The issue is expected to be brought up again during the current legislative session.
Gov. Greg Abbot (R-TX) and other Republicans have spoken in favor of expanding ESAs so that parents can give their children more choices regarding education. Opponents say that the move could divert funds away from local school districts.
During an event in Corpus Christi on Jan. 31, Abbott called for a new legislative education savings accounts package during the new legislative session, according to the Dallas Morning News.
“When a school does fall short of excellence, when it strays too far from the fundamentals or simply cannot meet the unique needs of a particular child, parents should not be helpless,” Abbott said, according to the Dallas Morning News. “They should be able to choose the education option that is best for their child.”
The Texas State Board of Education is set to reconvene in April.