school vouchers

Senate Bill 2 would create an education savings account program and has been Abbott's top priority.

After hours of debate — and years of pushing from Gov. Greg Abbott — the Texas House gave initial approval to a bill to create an Education Savings Account plan. The school voucher program would allow parents to use public funds towards private school costs.

The Texas House on Wednesday is poised to debate a contentious bill that would create a program where public funds could be used towards private schools.

The Texas House Public Education Committee passed a sweeping school finance proposal on Thursday, along with a bill that would create a program allowing parents to use public funds to pay for private schools.

The Texas House Public Education Committee was scheduled to meet on Tuesday to take up two high priority bills which would address school funding and the creation of a school voucher plan. But the meeting was canceled late Monday night.

Jolene Sanders thought a private school could give her son with autism the kind of specialized attention he needed. So she searched for a good school with a good program.

The resolution presented at last weekend's executive committee meeting would have called on the Legislature to allot equal funding to Texas families regardless of whether they send their kids to public or private school.

If passed, the legislation would create a program where parents could use state tax dollars toward sending their kids to private schools. While it’s a priority for many Republicans, those opposed to the idea aren’t staying quiet.

This long-awaited move comes weeks after the Senate passed their version of the bill.

Why is FWISD closing schools? Officials cite two causes: Declining enrollment. Desire to better distribute resources.

The Texas House has filed its school voucher bill. The legislation differs in several ways from what the Senate has already passed. The two chambers would have to hash out their differences before sending any legislation to Gov. Greg Abbott for his approval.

Average teacher pay in Texas is about $9,300 below the national average. A couple of bills before lawmakers would raise salaries for the first time in years.