CV NEWS FEED // As Texas legislators consider a school choice bill, the Diocese of Dallas Catholic schools superintendent has shared that the diocese is in support of it and is ready to work with families if vouchers do not cover the full cost of tuition.
It “is a game-changer” when parents have the ability to choose where each of their children goes to school, superintendent Rebecca Hammel told CBS News in the Jan. 31 article.
She noted that the bill makes faith-based learning an option for more students.
“We have the freedom to speak about God, and God is core in our lives, and God is core in our instruction,” she said. “That’s a freedom that public schools simply cannot give.”
The diocese is prepared to help the community and assist families, Hammel said.
“If the education savings account did not cover the full cost of tuition, we would still work with the family,” she commented. “We still have some scholarship dollars available and financial assistance available.”
Texas’ Senate Committee on Education K-16 advanced Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) last week, according to a Jan. 31 press release from the state’s senate website.
The bill would allocate $1 billion toward 100,000 savings accounts that students can use for private school expenses. Students, including homeschoolers, who apply for and receive an account will have a starting amount of $2,000. If the student is attending an accredited private school, their account could increase up to $10,000 for the year. Private school students with disabilities would receive $11,500 in their accounts.
Jennifer Allmon, executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, testified last week in support of SB 2, noting that it meets the bishops’ criteria for such legislation.
The bill includes general accountability for accreditation, protects religious liberty and private school autonomy, and prioritizes the vulnerable and those living in poverty, Allmon explained. She did mention one concern of the bill, that there may be “some accreditation loopholes” in need of resolution. In her conclusion, Allmon expressed support of the bill, saying that the state can support increased alternative education opportunities and public schools at the same time.
“Most students will continue to benefit from a public-school education, because of the many advantages offered by public schools, such as sports and other extra-curricular activities, which are attractive to families,” Allmon said. “It is unrealistic, however, to expect public schools to be everything to every child. It is a win-win for communities when all children can flourish in the educational setting best suited for them.”
On Jan. 30, Tennessee passed a school choice bill that has received vocal support from several Catholic bishops in the state. Also last week, Bishop David M. O’Connell, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Catholic Education, endorsed a school choice act recently introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.