Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says education savings accounts (ESAs) have improved educational opportunities in Florida, especially in rural areas, and he suggested that a similar measure could prove beneficial in Texas.
Bush recently said in a statement that an ESA program could help Texas build a stronger next generation by giving families and students more variety, adding that ESAs aren't just for private school tuition.
"Expanding access to education opportunity has been shown, time and again, to improve student engagement, academic achievement and overall success. It’s easy to understand why," Bush wrote. "Meeting the unique needs of each child is a game changer. Empowering families with opportunity is the future of stronger, more successful education systems in every state."
Bush cited a study from Annenberg Institute at Brown University, which found that rural families in Florida utilize the funds from ESAs to customize education with tutoring, materials, and specialized services. Another report from Step Up for Students found that 65% of rural families in Florida like the ESA program and appreciate educational options. Bush argued that Texas could significantly benefit by passing a school choice/ESA bill.
The Annenberg Institute report by Michelle Lofton and Martin Lueken said ESAs "are education funding mechanisms that allow for families to receive a deposit of public funds to a government-authorized savings account." The report stated that families who participated in the Florida Gardiner Scholarship Program used more funds the longer they stayed in the program, because over time, "funds devoted to private school tuition decreases while expenditure shares increase for curriculum, instruction, tutoring and specialized services."
Those against school choice believe it will reduce state funding for traditional public schools.
Bush wrote, "Enhancing success among students using ESAs does not prevent the many millions of students in traditional schools from thriving and excelling." He said that while ESA funds can be used for private school tuition and outside entities, this system encourages traditional schools to meet the needs of students and parents. Bush also noted that Florida's traditional public schools have improved since parents were given more options.
Bush also cited another study, "Rerouting... the Myths of Rural Education Choice" by Ron Matus and Dava Hankerson for Step Up For Students, which said that over the past decade, "the number of students in Florida’s 30 rural counties accessing education outside their district school increased by 10.6%." Over time, non-district schools more than doubled, creating more options.
"This has enhanced every child’s chance to be in a setting where they can achieve success," Bush said. Despite opponents who claim school choice hurts public schools, Bush noted that data from Florida showed most families (83%) continue to choose public schools. The authors of the report argued that Florida is proof the school choice programs work in rural areas.
Bush says the main goal of ESAs is to help every child succeed, no matter their background or their family's level of financial security.
"I believe we have a moral imperative — whenever we have proven tools and financial resources — to help every child succeed," Bush said. "Gone are the days when schools were a 'sink or swim' proposition. We can do better than that, by helping every student get whatever support they need to reach their full potential."
According to the Lone Star Standard, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) recently signed universal school choice legislation that will make ESAs available for every student in Florida.
“This legislation is a transformational opportunity to make it clear that the money follows the child, and parents have a right to guide their child’s education as they see fit,” Florida Sen. Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) said on the governor's website.
According to the Texas Tribune, lawmakers in Texas are debating implementing a school choice program involving ESAs. Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) filed Senate Bill 8, which would create an ESA program with $8,000 per student, while maintaining a "held harmless" clause for rural districts. The measure is moving to the Texas Senate floor for debate after passing through the Senate Education Committee.
Creighton also argued that opponents who say school choice programs will hurt rural public schools "creates a narrative that you can’t lift up public schools and teachers and also provide educational empowerment for families is just creating a narrative that’s false and divisive," according to Forest Country News.