Now, regarding TSHA’s advocacy issue of the month—school vouchers—we offer the following information and comments for your consideration:

PUBLIC SCHOOL VOUCHER REALITY: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TSHA MEMBERS

SCHOOL CHOICE/VOUCHER LEGISLATION COMES IN MANY FORMS:

• Tax credits and student scholarships.
• Education savings accounts, e.g., state funds paying for private school placement by parents.
• Education expenses reimbursement, including private school tuition.
• Operation of a full-time on-line program.
• Creation of a Texas Parental Empowerment Program, providing an insurance premium tax credit.

VOUCHER SUPPORT RATIONALE

• Last legislative session the political leadership in Texas supported (promoted) Voucher bills in both the Senate and House.
• The state had a historic $32.7 billion surplus on hand to tackle some of the biggest issues regarding public schools, like teacher shortages and school funding.
• The lofty goals crumbled as clashing political ideologies, and the fight over school vouchers derailed bills that would have injected billions of dollars into the public schools.
• After the Session, Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick traveled the state advocating for “school choice” measures and candidates opposing legislators who voted against voucher bills.
• Voucher supporters forced the withholding of school funding until a voucher program was approved.
• Proponents promise vouchers provide parent empowerment, transparency, quality, respect, and the choice they deserve from our education system. 

VOUCHER OPPOSITION

TSHA OPPOSITION RATIONALE:

• TSHA generally opposes vouchers, but more specifically opposes the inclusion of special education.
• A nightmare for administrators attempting to plan to provide quality services for children
• Staffing challenge, particularly in special education with so many specialty personnel required to adequately serve children with disabilities
• Private schools are not adequately regulated by the state to provide for children with a disability.
• Most private schools do not want to admit children with a disability.
• Private schools do not have to comply with federal regulations, e.g., IDEA, etc. 
• Diverts funding from public schools
• Texas already offers educational options to families that doesn’t cost them money
• Dilutes funding for special education

IF POLITICAL ANALYSTS ARE CORRECT, RECENT ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN WON BY ENOUGH PRO-VOUCHER SUPPORTERS TO ALMOST GUARANTEE PASSAGE OF VOUCHER LEGISLATION IN THE 89TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN 2025.

• If this is reality:
  • TSHA is considering development of language to insert into any voucher bill that would mediate the impact on special education programs and children with disabilities.
  • At a recent TSHA/Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education (TCASE) Joint Advisory Committee meeting, a sample of such legislation was proposed. Anyone wishing to suggest language will be welcomed. 
  • Language suggested:
    • “For a private school accepting voucher-based funding, the private school must provide specially designed instructional specialists (e.g., certified teachers, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, occupational therapists, etc.) in order to adequately support the child with a disability according to their individual needs. The private school must use the funds received through vouchers in order to support the individual students with disabilities rather than the funds being incorporated into the general fund of the private school.”

AS A RESPONSIBLE TSHA MEMBER, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

• Know the position of state legislative candidates in your district regarding issues that affect the professions, e.g., vouchers, public school funding, Medicaid funding, interstate compacts, telepractice etc.
• Remember nine districts have runoff elections on May 28TH. In five districts, there are candidates who opposed vouchers:
  • 58 (Cleburne), 33 (Rockwall), 44 (Seguin), 1 (New Boston) and 21 (Beaumont).
  • TSHA has not supported specific candidates for legislative elections in many years. Members told the Executive Board in years past that they did not want their professional association telling them who to vote for; therefore, the TSHA Legislative Team is informing members of important elections and allowing them to research and support candidates who espouse their beliefs and positions.
• Become a valued member of your community and actively support a candidate in the November 5th general election!
• PLEASE SUPPORT TSHA ADVOCACY EFFORTS AT ALL LEVELS!

For additional information regarding the Texas Legislature and school vouchers, please contact the TSHA Legislative Team: Lori Colletti, Larry Higdon, and Mark J. Hanna.

About Capitol Watch

Capitol Watch is the TSHA Legislative Team’s vehicle for keeping members informed of activity at the state capitol and in other state regulatory meetings.

If you have questions regarding this or other Capitol Watch postings, please contact a member of the TSHA Legislative Team:

• Lori Colletti, VP for Advocacy (government@txsha.org)
• Larry Higdon, Director of Governmental Relations (lwhtsha@gmail.com)
• Mark Hanna, Legal and Legislative Counsel