SB2: The Senate Voucher Scheme That Threatens Texas Public Schools
Why SB2 spells disaster for public schools.
Over the weekend, several ICE raids occurred in North Texas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and McAllen. Nearly 100 individuals were torn away from their families and lives. Meanwhile, massive protests occurred yesterday in Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Austin, and San Antonio. There may have been more, but that’s the only ones I saw. There were 700 protesters alone in Dallas.
We’re only one week into the new administration 😬 and we’re only seeing the beginning of what’s coming. Mass protests are scheduled throughout the week and across the country. These protests are anti-Trump and anti-ICE. You should expect protests like this to continue and the participation to increase.
Protests regarding the ban on DEI initiatives are also upcoming. Target has long been a favorite shopping place of the left, but last week, it canceled its DEI initiatives and rolled back programs that boosted Black-owned brands.
If you’re looking to participate in the protests with your dollars, here are the companies I could find that are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion:
GoTo Foods (includes Moe’s Southwest Grill, Mcalister’s, Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, Cinnabon, and more…)
If you’ve ever wondered what you would have done during the Nazi rise to power in 1930s Germany, wonder no longer. You’re doing it. Right now. Today. This moment. Whether you choose to fight fascism in the streets with the protesters or with your pocketbook, now is the time.
While protests dominate the streets, it’s important not to lose sight of what’s happening inside the Texas Legislature. While families are being ripped apart and diversity, equity, and inclusion are under attack, lawmakers in Austin are quietly advancing policies that further entrench inequality.
One of the most pressing issues this session is SB2, Senator Brandon Creighton’s (R-SD04) voucher bill, which threatens to undermine public education in Texas.
As we fight against injustices on multiple fronts, it’s critical to recognize how policies like SB2 fit into the larger picture of dismantling systems that serve the many in favor of benefiting the few. If you’re alarmed by what’s happening in the streets, you should be equally concerned about what’s happening in the statehouse.
SB2 - The Senate voucher bill.
SB2 is the Senate’s version of the voucher scheme, which the Senate will push. However, whether the House will support SB2 or champion its version of vouchers is unclear. We’ll have to wait and see.
SB2, which you can read here, is a 33-page bill that diverts public funds from public schools and redirects them to private education providers. Since Texas schools are already unconstitutionally underfunded, this siphons resources, particularly in rural or lower-income areas where public schools are often the only viable option.
This program disproportionately benefits wealthier families who can already afford private school tuition. The $10,000–$11,500 grants may fully cover tuition for some, but for high-cost private schools, lower-income families would still struggle to make the difference. Thus, public dollars subsidize private education for families that already have access.
Did you know that, unlike public schools, private schools and other service providers are not held to the same accountability standards, including teacher certification, curriculum requirements, or compliance with federal disability laws like IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)? This creates opportunities for misuse of taxpayer funds without ensuring quality education.
Although SB2 includes provisions for low-income families and students with disabilities, these groups may still face barriers. For example:
The funding may not fully cover the cost of private tuition or therapies, preventing low-income families from fully participating.
Parents of children with disabilities may unknowingly waive critical protections provided by public schools under federal law when they enter the program.
Just looking at SB2, it would seem that private schools participating in the program can maintain discriminatory admission policies based on religion, academic performance, or behavior, leaving marginalized students behind while still receiving public funds.
When a nearly identical bill made it through the Senate in 2023, Creighton made clear that his version of vouchers would not protect against discrimination. See:
SB2 encourages fraud and misuse.
SB2 encourages fraud and misuse through its complex and decentralized administration, creating numerous opportunities for bad actors to exploit taxpayer funds. The bill tasks the Texas Comptroller’s Office and certified educational assistance organizations (EAOs), private entities, with administering funds.
This structure introduces significant vulnerabilities. With multiple layers of administration, it is easier for mismanagement or outright fraud to occur. EAOs, less transparent than public institutions, could misreport or mishandle funds, either negligently or intentionally. Meanwhile, the comptroller, who is responsible for oversight, cannot effectively monitor all participating organizations and ensure funds are correctly spent.
The program also allows education service providers and vendors to exploit educational products. Vendors could inflate the prices of their services or goods, knowing that the funds come from the state, not parents’ pockets. For example, private schools may raise tuition, fully aware that ESA funds will help families pay, while tutors and product vendors might bundle unnecessary services to maximize profits. Worse, some vendors may offer substandard education or materials, prioritizing profits over quality.
The bill’s heavy reliance on self-reporting by parents and vendors creates additional risks. Parents might submit exaggerated or outright false claims for reimbursement, disguising non-educational expenses such as vacations or personal purchases as legitimate. Vendors and parents could even engage in kickback schemes, billing the program for services never rendered and splitting the funds. Without real-time verification of expenditures, fraudulent claims could persist unchecked for years.
SB2’s weak vendor eligibility requirements compound the problem. Vendors can qualify with minimal credentials, such as retired educators or certifications from non-government organizations, creating opportunities for unqualified individuals to enter the program. Vendors also apply for approval on a rolling basis, potentially overwhelming the comptroller’s office and reducing the rigor of vetting.
While the bill mandates annual audits, these are reactive rather than preventative. Fraudulent practices could go undetected for years, especially if audits are limited in scope. The costs of administering such audits are high, diverting funds from education. Even when fraud is detected, the penalties outlined in the bill are not sufficiently severe or swift to deter misconduct.
Evidence from similar programs in other states highlights these vulnerabilities. In Arizona, parents used ESA funds to buy non-educational items like beauty supplies and video games while vendors inflated service prices. SB2 risks replicating these failures in Texas, diverting critical public funds away from schools while failing to ensure those dollars are used for quality education.
SB2 will undermine public education as a common good.
Public education is a cornerstone of a democratic society, serving all students regardless of income, ability, or background. This program shifts the focus to individual consumer choice, framing education as a private good rather than a collective societal investment.
In rural areas where private schools or specialized providers are scarce, families may not have viable options, effectively excluding them from the program and reducing public school funding in their districts.
This legislation doesn’t just threaten to drain resources from public schools. It undermines the foundation of equitable education for all.
The false promise of “school choice” disguises a harmful policy that would exacerbate inequality, leave vulnerable students behind, and allow taxpayer dollars to be funneled into unregulated and discriminatory private institutions.
The fight against SB2 is about more than just education policy. It’s about preserving the ideals of fairness, transparency, and the public good. If we allow the Texas Legislature to strip resources from our public schools and weaken the accountability of education providers, we risk creating a two-tiered system that leaves most children in Texas worse off.
The protests across Texas reflect a growing resistance to these attacks on our communities. Texans are sending a clear message: We won’t back down whether they’re standing up against ICE raids, opposing the ban on DEI initiatives, or fighting for public education. The fight for justice is happening not just in the streets but also in the statehouse. We must hold our lawmakers accountable for every policy that chips away at our collective future.
If the voucher issue is something you’re passionate about and if you are in the Austin area or can travel, here is the info:
SB2 is not just another education bill. It’s a battle line in the fight for the soul of Texas.
Today, a lot is going on. Depending on what happens, I may provide another update later.
January 28: Senate Finance Committee - Article V (Border security funding) and Senate Education Committee (Vouchers)
January 31: Left In Texas Podcast - Representative Christina Morales
February 2: Senate Finance Committee - Article III (Education and voucher scheme funding)
March 14: The last day Legislators can file bills.
June 2: The 89th Legislative Session ends.
Click here to find out what Legislative districts you’re in.
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Thank you, Lone Star Left, for this insightful article (as always!) on a horrendous proposal that is terrible for kids and parents. I’d like to let your readers know that a public forum on school vouchers is scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, February 9, featuring panelists from the state legislature, education, and stakeholders. The forum will take place in Cedar Park. Here’s a link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1MdWypAaiB/
One more reason vouchers could topple public education: When public school officials are forced to prepare to block ICE from barging in their schools and nabbing children, everyone is distracted and worried. High-stakes testing results might suffer--"See! Kids aren't learning! That's proof public education does not work!" I'd like to know how many private schools ICE will visit. Kidding. That was a joke.
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