By Nathaniel Cunneen
School choice is currently top of mind for Texans as lawmakers head towards a special session that could bring education freedom and its benefits to our state. With legislative leaders’ and Governor Abbott’s strong support, Texas is closer than ever to offering school choice opportunities to millions of students.
School choice policies tie education dollars directly to students so families can choose the best education provider for their children. That’s something that wealthy families do all the time; they pay for private school out of pocket or move into the neighborhood zoned for their desired school. Unfortunately, those options are often out of reach for low-income families, leaving many stuck with the school they’re residentially assigned to, even if that school is failing their kids.
Earlier this year, members of the Texas Senate put forth impressive school choice legislation that would have established Education Savings Accounts (ESA) that families could use for non-public school tuition, tutoring, curriculum, and other pre-approved expenses. Families would be empowered to customize their child’s education. Considering that 70% of Texas 4th graders aren’t proficient in reading, according to 2022 NAEP, we need this flexibility.
Unfortunately, members of the Texas House did not reach a consensus during the regular session. Polling continues to show that parents across Texas support school choice programs and it’s highly anticipated that Governor Abbott will call a special session in the Fall to deliver what parents want.
Every child should be afforded the opportunity to reach their full potential. Before moving to Texas, I was a private school choice beneficiary growing up in Florida, where I spent eleven years as a recipient of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program. The program I utilized has been empirically proven to boost students’ academic achievement, increase educational outcomes, and perhaps most importantly – improve the quality of nearby public schools through competition.
For many of my peers, there was nothing wrong with our assigned school, but public school was simply not the right fit for me. Social, emotional, and academic problems plagued me in my key developmental years, and I knew I needed something different, but my parents couldn’t afford it on their own. Through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program, my family was able to make my education dreams a reality. I believe that every student in Texas deserves that same opportunity.
Opponents of school choice often argue that it won’t benefit rural communities like Odessa. They claim that school choice will hurt rural public schools and then simultaneously argue that there are no public schools in rural areas. This is a classic case of doublethink. Which is it? Are there no alternative school options in rural towns? Or will alternative school options take money from rural public schools?
NAEP data shows that rural students in Arizona, a state that has school choice, are dramatically outpacing rural Texas students in math, reading, and science. Further, rural school districts in both Florida and Arizona are growing faster than their Texas counterparts, and so are private school options. Despite the critic’s rhetoric, the evidence suggests school choice is good for public schools and rural students.
School choice has the opportunity to improve the lives of Texas students everywhere, and we should let it. It’s time to empower families to do better for Texas children.
Nathaniel Cunneen is a communications strategist at the American Federation for Children and a former beneficiary of school choice from Florida. He currently resides in Dallas.
