The program is set to launch with $1 billion in funding for its first two years. It aims to provide families with greater choice in their children’s education by allowing public funds to be used for private school tuition.
Under the new system, most families will receive an annual amount per child equivalent to 85% of the state and local funding a public school would have received for that student, estimated between $10,300 and $10,900.
The eligibility for the voucher program is very broad and is eligible for almost any school-age child in Texas, including children already enrolled in private schools. Students with disabilities will be eligible for the same amount plus up to an additional $30,000. Homeschooling families participating in the program could receive up to $2,000 a year.
The program requires participating students to take nationally recognized state tests, however, it is not necessarily the STAAR exam that is taken in public schools. Private schools wishing to participate must have been open for at least two years to be eligible. These schools receiving the funding will retain their existing admissions standards and are not mandated to follow all federal and state regulations for students with disabilities that public schools have to.
