Public school advocates oppose any plan resembling school vouchers saying such programs drain resources from the campuses that educate more than 5 million children in Texas. Supporters of ESAs say families should get state funding for the educational settings that best fit their needs.

The Texas Senate recently passed its version of a school choice program with Senate Bill 2. The proposed legislation calls for education savings accounts — a voucher-like program that allows families to use taxpayer dollars to pay for private school tuition.

In a surprising turn, major school choice proponents are enthusiastically cheering the Texas House for proposed legislation on Education Savings Accounts. On Thursday, the House rolled out HB 3, which contains a “strong school choice” provision that “builds on” the pre-existing Senate bill,