Austin, Texas – Texas will implement A $ 1 billion school coupon The program, one of the largest in the country, which uses public dollars to finance the registration of private schools under a bill, Greg Abbott, signed on Saturday, limiting an effort of Republicans.
The supporters of the school coupons have long attacked the State, where the past efforts folded for decades against the resistance of the Rural Democrats and Republicans. Last month President Donald Trump He called the legislators before a key vote was needed to finally take the bill to the Abbott desk.
Texas joins more than 30 states that have implemented a similar program, of which approximately a dozen have launched or expanded their programs in recent years so that most students are eligible.
The school coupons have been the main approach of Abbott this year, leaving a 2024 electoral cycle in which he led a campaign to expel legislators from the Republican party that voted against a bill of the last session.
Republican legislators and supporters of the bill say they will give parents more options by letting their children out of low performance public schools.
“Behind were the days when families are limited only to schools assigned by the Government,” said Abbott before signing the bill in the governor’s mansion. “The day has come that allows parents to choose the school that is better for their child.”
Democrats and Republicans in rural districts have criticized the program, saying that it will drain the financial resources of the more than 5 million students of public schools in Texas and subsidize the private education of rich families.
As of next school year, Texas families can receive $ 10,000 per year to help pay the registration of students’ private school. Children with disabilities can qualify for up to $ 30,000 per year. The program will have a $ 1 billion limit for the first year and will cover up to 90,000 students, but could cost up to $ 4.5 billion a year by 2030.
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Lathan is a member of Associated Press’s body/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America It is a non -profit national service program that places journalists in local writing rooms to inform about undercover issues.
