CV NEWS FEED // CatholicVote has officially endorsed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s proposal for a comprehensive school choice plan, aiming to provide families across the state with greater educational options.
“Governor Greg Abbott is showing strong leadership by calling for school choice for every child in Texas,” CatholicVote Vice President Josh Mercer said. “Imagine the difference to Catholic families if $10,500 per child was directed to the school that Catholic families want.”
Working with the Texas Legislature, we'll make school choice a reality in our great state.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 16, 2025
Every Texas family will soon be able to choose the BEST education path for their children to succeed. pic.twitter.com/LRynSYeiuE
“We need Catholic parents in Texas to join this fight and tell their representatives in Austin to fund students, not systems,” Mercer added.
The proposed initiative includes Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), which are digital wallets allowing parents to use funds for tuition at any accredited school of their choice, as well as for other approved educational expenses, including homeschooling.
Available to all students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, the program would enable families to tailor educational experiences to meet their unique needs.
“Texas wants to see all of our children well-educated — and the best way to do it is by empowering parents to choose the best education for their child,” Abbott said in a video posted on X.
Qualified expenses under the ESA plan encompass tuition, tutoring, books, uniforms, academic tests, therapy for students with disabilities, and transportation services.
The program is funded entirely through state revenue, ensuring independence from federal funding and public school financing. Additionally, the initiative includes provisions for independent audits to ensure funds are spent appropriately.
Research supports the positive impact of school choice policies on educational outcomes, CatholicVote reported. In Florida, the implementation of school choice in 2023 led to a remarkable improvement for low-income students, who rose from ranking No. 33 in the nation in 1998 to No. 1 and contributing to a 20% increase in college completion rates.