Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2025
Contact: Sarah Leon
Sarah.leon@senate.texas.gov
Senator Bettencourt Champions School Choice With Senate Bill 2 - Texas Education Freedom Act
Senate Bill 2 creates a full universal Education Savings Accounts (ESA) program

Austin, Texas – Today, Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) proudly joins Chairman Brandon Creighton, author of SB2 and fellow Republican members of the Senate Education Committee in supporting Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, marking a historic step forward in providing universal school choice to all Texas families.

"An old saying is iron sharpens iron, so shall school choice sharpen the entire Texas education system," said Senator Bettencourt. "Senate Bill 2 empowers parents and prioritizes students success with providing comprehensive educational savings accounts (ESAs) to allow Texas families the freedom to choose the educational environment that best suits their children." He added.

Key Features of Senate Bill 2:

  • Universal Access: All Texas students—whether entering school for the first time, currently enrolled in public school, private school, or homeschool—are eligible to apply.
  • Prioritization: If applications exceed the 100,000-student cap, 80% of available spots will be allocated to students from low-income households and those with disabilities.
  • Funding Allocation: Each participating student will receive at least $2,000 annually in an ESA. Students attending accredited private schools will receive $10,000 annually, with $11,500 allocated for students with disabilities.
  • Accountability and Safeguards: The legislation includes stringent anti-fraud measures, mandatory background checks for vendors, and robust data protections to ensure transparency and proper use of funds.

"By offering ESAs with anti-fraud provisions, we are not only providing choices but also fostering a competitive environment that can lead to improvements across the entire education system" said Senator Bettencourt. "Senate Bill 2 aligns with a growing national movement toward educational choice, that I've seen in 32 other states that have successfully implemented similar programs." He added.

Senate Bill 2 represents years of dedicated effort by the Texas Senate to pass meaningful school choice legislation. Previous sessions have seen various iterations of school choice proposals pass the Senate, but ultimately stall in the Texas House. However, with the continued leadership of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and the strong support of Governor Greg Abbott, this session presents a unique opportunity to finally deliver on this priority.

"On a historical note, I passed a tax credit scholarship out of the Texas Senate in 2019, so the Education Committee has been promoting versions of school choice for 6 years. I expect the Texas Education Freedom Act to move to the floor of the Texas Senate for debate following todays hearing under Senator Creighton's leadership." He concluded.

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