Texas is on track to introduce one of the largest school voucher programs in the United States, a plan that could change how families across the state access education.
The program aims to offer families up to $10,000 to use toward private school tuition, home-school materials, or virtual learning. Backed by President Donald Trump and key Republican allies, the effort marks a major step in the national push to expand school choice options.
The Texas House of Representatives approved the measure with a vote of 85 to 63 in the early hours of Thursday morning. While the proposal still needs to clear a few more steps before becoming law, Governor Greg Abbott is expected to sign it. The victory follows a long political battle that saw the governor using his influence last year to push the plan through. Despite strong opposition from Democrats, teachers’ unions, and some rural Republicans concerned about public school funding, the bill passed.
If fully implemented, the program could begin by serving around 90,000 students in its first year, with an initial funding cap of $1 billion. However, that figure is expected to grow quickly, with projections suggesting the cost could reach $4.5 billion annually by the end of the decade. Parents would be able to spend the funds not only on tuition but also on educational materials, online learning platforms, and other home-schooling expenses.
The proposal is strongly backed by influential conservative figures and donors. Among its key supporters are Betsy DeVos, the former education secretary under President Trump, and Jeff Yass, a billionaire investor known for donating heavily to Republican causes. Both have played a role in boosting similar efforts across the country.
Just hours before the Texas vote, President Trump personally called Governor Abbott and several lawmakers to encourage their support. Speaking over the phone and broadcast to the room on speaker, he called the plan a “forward-thinking vote” and offered to help however he could. His message was met with applause.
Supporters of the bill argue that parents deserve more control over their children’s education and should have the freedom to choose options that best suit their needs. Opponents, on the other hand, warn that diverting public money into private education could hurt already underfunded public schools, especially in rural areas where private alternatives are limited.
As the bill moves forward, Texas becomes a key battleground in the national debate over school vouchers. With the strong support of the Trump administration and deep-pocketed donors, the outcome in Texas could shape similar efforts in other states in the coming years.