SB1 proposes an Education Savings Account (ESA) program providing $8,000 annually per eligible child for private education and related expenses, including tuition, textbooks, and tutoring. Open to public, private, and new Pre-K and kindergarten students, it expands educational choice in Texas, aligning with programs in 31 other states.
The Texas State Senate passed SB1 on October 12, 2023 by a vote of 19 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the nays because all government money comes with strings attached. ESAs might sound good in theory, but they expand government involvement into all aspects of education — including homeschools and religious schools — and can potentially affect rules and curriculum. We encourage all parents to get their children out of government schools and instead pursue sound alternatives such as homeschooling and patriotic private schools, like FreedomProject Academy, that don’t use government funds.