Stop Vouchers

Public funds should remain in public schools, with oversight from local communities.

Texas Governor Abbott called a special legislative session in October 2023 to press legislators to establish Texas’ first-ever private school voucher program, funded by all Texas taxpayers. Instead, Texas needs to invest in public schools that serve 5.4 million students and their families. The proposed voucher program would cost $500 million. Get resources here to help Texas say no to vouchers!

Infographic: Texas Special Session Alert

Infographic: Texas Should Not Throw Away $500 Million

Map: Distance to Private Schools by Texas Senate and House Districts

Map: Dispersed Private Schools by Georgia Senate and House Districts

eBook: School Dollars Diverted in 2023 A Scan of Private School Voucher Legislation in the U.S. South, by Terrence Wilson, J.D.

Policies that funnel much-needed resources to charter schools, private school vouchers, and other similar programs hurt traditional public schools and the students and families they serve.

Traditional public schools receive public funds, are operated by publicly-elected school boards, and should be held accountable by the communities, families and students they serve. Public governance, engagement and accountability are critical parts of ensuring strong schools for all students. Private schools by design are selective and exclusive, not accountable to elected bodies, and allowed to operate without regard to rules and regulations applicable to public schools, including requirements related to special education and civil rights.

IDRA collaborates with students, families, and other advocacy organizations to protect and improve traditional public schools. Our research and advocacy aim to challenge the narratives that lead to bad policies and practices that harm public school students.

The best way to strengthen public schools is to strengthen public schools.

Diverting public money for private schools and subsidies for the rich takes money away from our communities resulting in higher taxes for homeowners and businesses. More importantly, private school vouchers, education savings accounts (ESAs), charter schools and related schemes further segregate students and do not result in improved learning.

Investing in our neighborhood public schools is investing in our community.

Resources on Keeping the Public in Public Education

Changing Policy

Voucher Bill Harms Georgia’s Public School Students – Statement by IDRA and GYJC Opposing Senate Bill 233, March 20, 2024

Education Savings Accounts Reduce Opportunities for Equitable Education for Texas Students – IDRA Testimony against SB 1, submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas Senate Education Committee, October 10, 2023

SB 1 Poses a Threat to Public Education in Texas and to Our Most Vulnerable Students – TLEEC Testimony Against SB 1, submitted by Rebekah Skelton to the Texas Senate Education Committee, October 10, 2023

IDRA Quality Schools Action Framework Provides a Guide to Achieve Equal Educational Opportunity for All Students – IDRA comments on Equal Educational Opportunity, submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity and Enrichment, July 3, 2023

HB 100 Poses a Threat to Students’ Civil Rights with Devastating, Discriminatory Impacts on Vulnerable Students, TLEEC Testimony Against HB 100 submitted by Diana Long to the Texas Senate Education Committee, May 22, 2023

Private Texans Want Public Funds Kept in Public Schools – IDRA Testimony against HB 100 (Voucher), submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas Senate Education Committee, May 22, 2023

Texas Has Alternatives to Recapture Discounts to Keep Equitable Funding in Schools – IDRA Testimony against HB 3028, submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas Senate Education Committee, April 20, 2023

Education Savings Accounts Contradict Steps to Improve Texas Special Education – IDRA Testimony against SB 1474, submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas Senate Education Committee, April 12, 2023

Private School Voucher Programs Disempower Parents – IDRA Testimony against HB 4807, submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas House Public Education Committee, April 11, 2023

Education Savings Accounts Should Not Come at the Cost of Improvements to Texas Special Education – IDRA Testimony against HB 3781, submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas House Public Education Committee, April 11, 2023

Education Savings Accounts Are Inefficient, Ineffective and Unaccountable to Texas Students – IDRA Testimony against SB 8, submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas Senate Education Committee, March 22, 2023

Parents Are Disempowered by Private School Voucher Programs – IDRA Testimony against SB 176, submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas Senate Education Committee, March 22, 2023

New Charters Must Still Be Accountable to the State Board of Education and Communities, IDRA testimony against Senate Bill 28, submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Senate Education Committee, March 25, 2021

Joint Statement: Increase the Transparency and Efficiency of Charter Schools in Texas

Texas: Joint legislative agenda to make every dollar count for all Texas students, signed by IDRA and 20 other education and policy organizations, January 2021

TLEC Testimony, Is Texas Getting a Good Return on Charter Schools?, Presented before the House Public Education Committee (Special Session), August 8, 2017

Statement: Vouchers: Unwise, Unworkable & Unfair