Texas Legislature Passes School Choice
Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 3:45pm, a vote was taken on the Senate Floor to concur with the recommendations from the House to allow the passage of an Education Savings Account in Texas.
Governor Abbott is expected to sign Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) into law. After that, it will take about a year to build the systems and infrastructure needed to launch the program. Families who are accepted can expect to access Education Savings Account (ESA) funds by summer 2026.
In the meantime, THSC will continue to advocate for the homeschool community, working to ensure the program is rolled out in a way that supports and protects homeschoolers.
How Does This Affect Homeschooling?
- Texas homeschoolers can keep homeschooling the same way.
- Homeschool freedoms as we know them are protected within the bill.
- There is no testing requirement for homeschoolers. School choice is optional, and the program requirements won’t apply to those who don’t participate.
- Families who need these opportunities can apply for the program.
What’s in the Final Version of the Bill?
Under SB 2, all students in Texas are eligible to participate in the program if they apply. However, funding is limited and will only be enough for about 100,000-150,000 of the 5.5 million students in Texas. Also, under SB 2:
- Participating families will have access to an account managed by the Texas Comptroller’s office. Homeschool families will be allowed to spend up to $2000 on certain educational expenses, including textbooks, special needs therapy, dual credit, and more.
- The program is opt-in. Only those who apply to participate can do so.
- The bill includes strong protections for homeschooling ensuring that families retain complete control and freedom over how to conduct their education.
- There is no testing requirement in the bill for homeschoolers. Although accredited private school students will continue to take the nationally normed assessment currently required for their accreditation.
Under SB 2, all students in Texas are eligible to participate in the program if they apply. However, funding is limited and will only be enough for about 100,000-150,000 of the 5.5 million students in Texas. Also, under SB 2:
- Participating families will have access to an account managed by the Texas Comptroller’s office. Homeschool families will be allowed to spend up to $2000 on certain educational expenses, including textbooks, special needs therapy, dual credit, and more.
- The program is opt-in. Only those who apply to participate can do so.
- The bill includes strong protections for homeschooling ensuring that families retain complete control and freedom over how to conduct their education.
- There is no testing requirement in the bill for homeschoolers. Although accredited private school students will continue to take the nationally normed assessment currently required for their accreditation.
How Will the Program Work for Families?
Families who choose to participate in the ESA program will:
- Apply to the program.
- Be selected to receive an ESA.
- Receive access to an account with the approved funds.
- Use the funds for qualified educational expenses, such as tuition, books, materials, tutoring, dual credit courses, and more.
NOTE: Funding for the program is limited, selection would be limited by available funds.
THSC’s Top Priorities for ANY School Choice Legislation
Our goal is to safeguard the interests of the homeschool community while supporting parents who choose to participate in school choice programs. We are working to ensure:
- Protection for Homeschoolers Who Do Not Participate
- Homeschoolers who choose not to participate in school choice programs must remain completely free and unaffected by the legislation.
- Strong Safeguards That Protect Families
- Families who do choose to participate in school choice programs must have strong protections against government intrusion in their foundational right to educate their children as they see fit.
- Programs Work for Homeschool Families Who Choose to Participate
- Programs must include expenditures homeschool families can actually use effectively, such as dual credit courses, tutoring, therapy, books, curriculum, educational supplies, and tests.
Do Other States Have Similar Programs?
Yes. Over 30 states have implemented more than 70 school choice programs over the past several decades.
THSC conducted a 50-state research project to assess the impact of these programs on homeschool regulation.
Our findings? Not a single state has ever experienced an increase in homeschooling regulations as a result of these programs. In several states, regulation actually decreased. You can read our full white paper here.
WHO SUPPORTS ESAs?
School choice programs are a top priority of Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows, who has homeschooled his own children.
- A survey from the University of Houston last year found that 65% of Texans support school choice programs.
- A new survey from January, 2025 also from the University of Houston, found nearly identical results again, putting total support at 67%.
- A third survey from February 2025 by Yes, Every Kid, also found 67% total support for an ESA program, along with majority support from each political and ethnic demographic surveyed.
Two recent national surveys measured current homeschool opinion on ESAs.
- One survey from last year found that 84% of homeschool parents nationally expressed support for ESAs.
- A second national survey by Morning Consult conducted from 2023-2024 found 71% of homeschoolers support ESAs.
- A Texas-specific survey from 2017 also found 71% support among homeschoolers.
Call Your Legislator
Legislators receive many calls, but expressions of thanks are rare. If you’re glad to see more control given to parents through School Choice, please call your state senator and representative to thank them for supporting the bill benefiting Texas homeschool families. Even if you speak with a staff member, your call will be recorded and your legislator will receive the message.
When calling, you can say: “Hi, my name is [insert name] and I live in [insert county] and I am calling just to thank Senator/Representative [insert last name] for passing SB2 for Texas homeschool families. The opportunities and protections in the bill will make a positive impact on many families and we are grateful. Thank you!”
Legislators receive many calls, but expressions of thanks are rare. If you’re glad to see more control given to parents through School Choice, please call your state senator and representative to thank them for supporting the bill benefiting Texas homeschool families. Even if you speak with a staff member, your call will be recorded and your legislator will receive the message.
When calling, you can say: “Hi, my name is [insert name] and I live in [insert county] and I am calling just to thank Senator/Representative [insert last name] for passing SB2 for Texas homeschool families. The opportunities and protections in the bill will make a positive impact on many families and we are grateful. Thank you!”
Stay Informed
Stay informed and involved by following THSC as we continue to advocate for parental rights and education freedom.
