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The Voucher Scam
Texas Governor Abbott is fast-tracking vouchers to destabilize public education. The Voucher Scam won’t just explain the voucher threat, it will reveal the motivations behind this attack on a cornerstone of democracy and equality. We aim to give the public the truth before it’s too late.
Vouchers Drain Our Schools Dry
Public schools rely on taxpayer funding to provide quality education to all students. When voucher programs divert these funds to private schools, public schools are left with fewer resources to support teachers, students, and essential programs. The result? Larger class sizes, outdated materials, school closures, and reduced support for students who need it most.
It’s time to get organized and put the heat on the Texas Legislature to let them know school vouchers are a terrible idea.
Urgent: Tell Lawmakers to Vote NO on Texas HB3 – Sign on Now!
What Are School Vouchers/Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)?
Vouchers redirect money that would have gone to a public school and instead give it to private institutions.
Vouchers redirect money that would have gone to a public school and instead give it to private institutions.
School vouchers or Educational Savings Accounts(ESA) are government-funded programs that allow parents to use public education funds to pay for private school tuition. These vouchers essentially redirect money that would have gone to a public school and instead give it to private institutions, including religious schools. Proponents claim this provides “school choice,” but in reality, it siphons critical resources away from public education, hurting the majority of students.
ESAs are a more expansive version of school vouchers. Instead of simply covering tuition at private schools, ESAs allow parents to use public funds for a variety of educational expenses, including:
- Private school tuition
- Homeschooling costs
- Online education programs
While this may sound flexible, ESAs are often poorly regulated, leading to fraud, waste, and misuse of taxpayer dollars. They also contribute to the further privatization of education, undermining the role of public schools.
School vouchers and ESAs are not about providing choice—they are about shifting public money into private hands. Instead of investing in improving public education for all students, these programs undermine the public school system and exacerbate inequality.
How Are Vouchers and ESAs Funded?
These programs are funded by redirecting taxpayer money
These programs are funded by redirecting taxpayer money
Who Benefits from Vouchers?
Wealthier families and private schools benefit the most.
Wealthier families and private schools benefit the most.
Despite claims that vouchers help disadvantaged students, the reality is that:
- Most students who use vouchers were already in private schools – Meaning public funds are being used to subsidize private education for families who could already afford it.
- Wealthier families benefit the most – Voucher amounts often don’t cover full tuition, making private school accessible only to families who can afford the remaining costs.
- Private schools can reject students – Unlike public schools, private institutions can refuse students based on academic performance, disabilities, or other factors.
Who Loses?
Public school students, rural communities, and taxpayers.
Public school students, rural communities, and taxpayers.
- Public School Students – Less funding means fewer teachers, outdated materials, and reduced programs.
- Rural Communities – Many rural areas have no private schools, meaning vouchers provide no benefit while still draining resources from local schools.
- Taxpayers – Many states have seen voucher programs create budget shortfalls, leading to tax increases and funding cuts in other critical areas.
Why Are Vouchers Bad for Public Education?
They drain funding, have a lack of accountability, don't improve student outcomes, increase taxpayer costs, allow discrimination, and adversely effect rural communities.
They drain funding, have a lack of accountability, don't improve student outcomes, increase taxpayer costs, allow discrimination, and adversely effect rural communities.
1. They Drain Funding from Public Schools
Public schools rely on taxpayer funding to provide quality education to all students. When voucher programs divert these funds to private schools, public schools are left with fewer resources to support teachers, students, and essential programs. The result? Larger class sizes, outdated materials, school closures, and reduced support for students who need it most.
2. Lack of Accountability and Oversight
Public schools are required to follow strict educational standards, undergo regular assessments, and provide transparency in their spending. Private schools that receive vouchers, however, are often exempt from these requirements. This means:
- No guarantee of academic quality or student progress
- No financial oversight to ensure taxpayer money is used appropriately
- No protections against fraud and waste
3. Vouchers Don’t Improve Student Outcomes
Multiple studies have shown that students using vouchers to attend private schools do not perform better academically than their public school peers. In fact, some research has found that students in voucher programs actually experience declines in math and reading scores. Instead of improving education, vouchers often leave students worse off.
4. Increased Costs for Taxpayers
Voucher programs are often sold as a way to save money, but in practice, they frequently lead to budget shortfalls. Many states that have implemented large-scale voucher programs have seen:
- Multi-million dollar deficits due to rising voucher costs
- Tax increases to compensate for the lost public school funding
- Less money for other critical public services, like healthcare and infrastructure
5. Vouchers Allow Discrimination
Unlike public schools, private schools that receive voucher funding can pick and choose their students. This means they can:
- Reject students with disabilities
- Refuse admission based on religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity
- Expel students for arbitrary reasons without due process
6. They Don’t Help Rural Communities
Most rural areas don’t have private schools, meaning vouchers provide no benefit to families in these communities. Yet, rural public schools still lose funding when voucher programs are implemented, hurting students who rely on these schools as their only educational option.
7. They Undermine the Promise of Public Education
Public education exists to serve all children, regardless of background, ability, or income level. Voucher programs chip away at this fundamental principle by shifting public money into private hands, creating a system where only the privileged can truly benefit.
Why do Republicans want to pass vouchers?
Voucher programs are part of a larger effort to shift public education dollars into private hands. By diverting taxpayer money from public schools to private institutions, politicians and special interest groups aim to weaken the public school system and pave the way for full privatization.
Voucher programs are part of a larger effort to shift public education dollars into private hands. By diverting taxpayer money from public schools to private institutions, politicians and special interest groups aim to weaken the public school system and pave the way for full privatization.
Who Really Benefits?
Despite claims that vouchers help low-income families, the reality is that they primarily benefit:
- Wealthy families who already send their children to private schools and use vouchers as a subsidy.
- Private schools and corporate-backed charter networks that profit from public funds with little oversight.
- Politicians who receive donations from pro-voucher organizations and lobbyists.
Billionaires & Dark Money Influence
Vouchers are not a grassroots effort—they are heavily funded by billionaires and corporate interest groups that want to dismantle public education. Groups like the Koch network, the American Federation for Children (backed by Betsy DeVos), and ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) have poured millions into pushing voucher schemes across the country. Jeff Yass has donated over 10 Million to Greg Abbott so he could pass vouchers.
The Impact on Teachers & Schools
As public schools lose funding due to vouchers, they are forced to:
- Lay off teachers and staff
- Cut essential programs like arts, music, and special education
- Increase class sizes and reduce student support services
Meanwhile, private schools receiving vouchers can operate without certified teachers, standardized curriculums, or any obligation to meet state education standards.
The Religious & Ideological Agenda
Many private schools receiving vouchers are religious institutions that promote specific ideologies, often at the expense of science-based education and inclusivity. Public dollars should not fund schools that can legally discriminate based on religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.
Undermining Democracy & Public Accountability
Public schools are accountable to taxpayers, school boards, and local communities. Private schools taking voucher funds are not required to disclose how they spend public money, what they teach, or whether they provide equitable access to all students. This lack of transparency leads to corruption, waste, and educational disparities.
The Texas Voucher Bill
In 2025, Texas lawmakers introduced significant legislation aimed at establishing a school voucher system, diverting substantial public funds to private education. Expand this section to learn about the bill currently moving it's way through the Texas Legislature.
In 2025, Texas lawmakers introduced significant legislation aimed at establishing a school voucher system, diverting substantial public funds to private education. Expand this section to learn about the bill currently moving it's way through the Texas Legislature.
Senate Bill 2 (SB 2)
Passed by the Texas Senate on February 5, 2025, SB 2 proposes the creation of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), allocating $10,000 per student annually for private school tuition and related expenses. Students with disabilities would receive $11,500. Homeschooling families are also eligible for $2,000 per student each year. This initiative requires a $1 billion investment from the state, aiming to support approximately 100,000 students in its first year.
House Bill 3 (HB 3)
Introduced in the Texas House, HB 3 mirrors the Senate’s efforts by proposing a $1 billion allocation to establish ESAs. Under this bill, participating families would receive 85% of the per-student funding that public schools obtain from state and local sources, estimated at about $10,500 annually. The program prioritizes students with disabilities and those from low-income families, defined as up to 500% of the federal poverty level (approximately $160,000 for a family of four).
Legislative Support and Implications
Governor Greg Abbott has been a vocal advocate for these voucher programs, emphasizing “school choice” as a legislative priority. A majority of House members have shown support for HB 3, with 76 representatives signing on as co-authors, indicating a narrow majority in the 150-seat House.
However, these proposals have sparked significant debate. Critics argue that diverting public funds to private education could undermine public schools, leading to reduced resources and potential closures, especially in rural areas where alternatives are limited. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the lack of accountability and oversight for private institutions receiving public funds.
As these bills progress through the legislative process, it’s crucial for Texans to stay informed and consider the long-term impacts on the state’s public education system.
What does Texas AFT Say about SB2?
Resources & Research
Accessing accurate information is essential in the fight against school vouchers. Below are studies, reports, organizations, and firsthand accounts that highlight why vouchers are harmful to public education.
Accessing accurate information is essential in the fight against school vouchers. Below are studies, reports, organizations, and firsthand accounts that highlight why vouchers are harmful to public education.
Studies & Reports
Explore in-depth research and data on how voucher programs impact public education:
- Economic Policy Institute (EPI) – New Report examines the hidden costs of vouchers to public school districts – Dec 2024
https://www.epi.org/press/new-report-examines-the-hidden-costs-of-vouchers-to-public-school-districts/ - Brookings Institution – More findings about school vouchers and test scores and they are still negative
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/more-findings-about-school-vouchers-and-test-scores-and-they-are-still-negative/ - National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) – Free to Choose: Can school choice reduce student achievement?
https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w21839/w21839.pdf - Texas Legislative Budget Board – Fiscal impact of proposed voucher programs in Texas
https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/89R/fiscalnotes/pdf/SB00002I.pdf
Organizations Fighting for Public Schools
These organizations advocate for fully funded, equitable public education and actively oppose voucher schemes:
- Texas AFT (American Federation of Teachers) – www.texasaft.org
- Raise Your Hand Texas – www.raiseyourhandtexas.org
- IDRA (Intercultural Development Research Association) – www.idra.org
- Network for Public Education (NPE) – www.networkforpubliceducation.org
- Public Funds Public Schools – www.pfps.org
Parent & Teacher Testimonies
Firsthand stories from educators and families affected by school vouchers:
- Testimony: Vouchers Violate Texas Values – Read how vouchers impact classrooms
- Vouchers Hurt Texas Students – Raise Your Hand Texas
- IDRA’s School Funding Stories – Impact of voucher proposals on marginalized communities
Get Involved
- Contact your legislators
– Texas House Committee on Public Education
– Texas Senate Education K-16 Committee - Join advocacy efforts: Attend school board meetings, legislative hearings, and rallies to oppose vouchers.
- Stay informed: Follow public education advocacy groups on social media for the latest updates.
By staying informed and engaged, we can protect public education and ensure that every child has access to a strong, well-funded public school.
