TCTA continues fight against vouchers in testimony to Senate Finance Committee

TCTA weighed in on the subject of educational options (including school choice/vouchers) during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Oct. 9.

The committee is tasked with studying post-pandemic student enrollment trends and examining the possible causes behind the shift in student enrollment, including the rise in homeschooling, micro-schools, and other parental choice options. Members must make recommendations before the Texas Legislature convenes in January to ensure parents and educators have the tools and resources needed to respond to the projected enrollment changes and ensure that every child has the best educational options available to learn.

TCTA submitted testimony calling for more funding for public schools and urging lawmakers not to pursue creation of education savings accounts or vouchers for private schools in the 2025 session. TCTA told Senate Finance Committee members that creating a third education system in the state alongside traditional public schools and charter schools has the potential to significantly burden the state’s existing underfunded school finance system and would require yet another costly bureaucratic expansion to manage.

TCTA also provided examples of how other states, such as Arizona and Florida, have faced substantial budget problems since implementing education savings accounts. 

Further, TCTA said: Education in Texas is at a critical junction; with no increase in the basic allotment since 2019, a widespread teacher shortage, and COVID learning loss, Texas educators have more on their plate than ever before. Gambling on an expensive voucher program when existing schools are struggling is a choice that stands to gain little but risk much. We continue to urge you to reject any future voucher legislation and focus on strengthening our existing public schools.