Texans Want School Choice—But Not at the Expense of Public Schools
Main Takeaway from the Article below and the Survey: Texans may like the idea of school choice, but they also recognize that public schools must be protected in the process.
So we’re back with another segment around ESAs.
Let’s talk about school choice—or at least, the way it’s being framed by the Governor’s office.
Recently, Governor Abbott shared a social post claiming that an overwhelming majority of Texans support school choice—without citing a source. Now, call me skeptical, but when someone throws out a statistic without a reference, my first thought is, where did this even come from?
After some digging (shoutout to my social media friends who helped track it down), it looks like the numbers originate from the Hobby School of Public Affairs Texas 2025 Budget Report. The report was conducted by YouGov, a market research firm that provides data for media outlets, businesses, and political organizations, including outlets like The Economist, CBS News, and The Guardian. YouGov applies demographic weighting and statistical adjustments to ensure results are representative of the target population. Overall, YouGov is considered a reliable and well-regarded source for survey research.
YouGov isn’t partisan, but like any pollster, the way they ask the question matters.
Where Did the Numbers Come From?
67% of respondents said they support ESAs (Education Savings Accounts) for all parents.
72% support ESAs for low-income parents (families earning under $50K).
77% support reimbursing small school districts for funding lost due to ESAs.
Abbott’s post makes it sound like Texans are all-in on vouchers, but here’s the thing—this isn’t as straightforward as it looks.
The Survey Framed ESAs Differently Than Traditional Vouchers
If you ask someone whether they support a flexible account that helps parents pay for education-related expenses, that sounds great! But that’s not the same as asking whether Texans support a government-funded voucher system that directly shifts money from public schools to private institutions.
What if the survey had asked:
Would you support ESAs if they resulted in reduced funding for public schools?
Would you support ESAs if they resulted in higher taxes or an increased reliance on bonds to make up for public school funding losses?
Those are trade-offs we don’t see reflected in the results.
Prioritizing Low-Income ESAs Raises Questions
If ESAs are designed to help low-income families,(this study references $8,000 but the current conversation has been around $10,000 so we will use that) can they actually afford private school with a $10,000 voucher ? Let’s break it down:
Private School Tuition in Texas
DFW average tuition: $13,299
Houston average tuition: $25,674
National average tuition: $12,790 (higher for private high schools at $15,344)
Additional Costs:
Registration & enrollment fees
Uniforms, books, tech fees ($500–$2K)
Transportation (many private schools don’t have buses)
Lunch & aftercare (often not subsidized like in public schools)
Even with a voucher, low-income families may not be able to afford private school at all—especially in rural areas where there aren’t many private options nearby.
So, what happens if a student enrolls in a private school using ESA funds but needs to return to public school mid-year? Does the money follow them back? Or does the public school now have to absorb the cost without the funding? This isn’t explicitly addressed in the legislation, and the lack of discussion around it suggests that the funds wouldn’t automatically return to public schools. Of course, this isn’t certain—just my take on the situation. If you have any information that clarifies this point, feel free to send it my way!
Texans Support ESAs, But They Also Want Protections for Public Schools
While there is clear support for ESAs, especially for low-income families, it's important to recognize that Texans also want safeguards in place to protect public schools.
The higher 72% support for low-income ESAs suggests that many Texans see them as a targeted financial assistance program rather than a universal school choice model.
However, the reality is that low-income families may still face significant barriers—such as transportation, additional tuition costs, and limited nearby private school options—that could prevent them from fully benefiting from ESAs.
Additionally, Texans are concerned about the financial impact on small, rural schools that rely on per-student funding. 77% support reimbursing small ISDs (fewer than 5,000 students) for funding lost due to ESAs.
This strong backing for public school reimbursement highlights the recognition that if students leave, those schools could face severe budget shortfalls.
So, when looking at the final voucher legislation, a key question should be:
Does the bill include a provision to reimburse smaller school districts for funding lost due to students leaving via ESAs?
Does the bill allocate enough funding to ensure low-income students can cover tuition without additional out-of-pocket costs that they wouldn’t face in public schools?
Texans Deserve the Full Picture, Why Can’t It Come From The Governor’s Office?
The way this data is being presented makes it sound like Texans have overwhelmingly spoken and want universal vouchers. But when you dig deeper, it’s clear that support for ESAs comes with conditions—namely, that public schools should be protected and that low-income families might not even be able to fully use these funds the way they’re being pitched.
Texans deserve to have the full story when making decisions about school choice. We should be asking:
How will ESAs impact public school funding long-term?
Are ESAs truly accessible for low-income families, or do they create barriers?
If students return to public school, does the money follow them back?
Are small, rural schools getting the funding protections they need?
It’s not just about whether Texans like school choice—it’s about making sure we’re getting all the information to make the right choices for our kids and our schools. Oh, and let’s not forget about our teachers—you know, those incredible people who actually teach our kids real skills. I can’t imagine relying solely on Google for my child’s education, that’s what would be happening over here in this household, thank goodness for teachers! (Seriously, thank you for all you do. This mama couldn’t do it without you!)
ESA Support Is Conditional, Not a Blank Check for Vouchers
The survey presents ESAs more like financial aid, not a complete restructuring of the education system, which could make them more palatable than traditional vouchers.
The stronger support, 72%, for low-income ESAs suggests that many respondents view them as a targeted assistance program rather than a universal right. Meanwhile, the strong support for small ISD reimbursement indicates that even those in favor of ESAs still care about protecting public schools.
Without clear answers on funding trade-offs, accessibility challenges, or accountability, the survey does not confirm unconditional support for a full voucher program. Texans may like the idea of school choice, but they also recognize that public schools must be protected in the process.
Sources:
Governor’s Social Post (see below)
