Rep. Jetton’s Bill Helps Governor Abbott Reach Universal ESA Goal

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Today, the American Federation for Children, a national school choice advocacy organization headquartered in Dallas, Texas, praised Representative Jacey Jetton for introducing a bill for the October 9 Special Session. Representative Jetton’s bill would achieve Governor Abbott’s goal of universal eligibility while prioritizing the needs of low-income and special-needs students.

Statement from Tommy Schultz, CEO, American Federation for Children:

“We are thrilled that school choice champion Rep. Jetton has introduced an Education Savings Account program that embraces two important principles – all students should be eligible, and the funds for their education should be directed by their parents to get their child the education they need.”

Details:
Representative Jetton’s bill would establish an Education Savings Account program that:

• Makes all students eligible to receive an ESA, but puts children with special needs and low-income students first in line.
• Provides these students with the same level of funding on average as would have been invested in their education at their assigned public school.
• Includes effective academic accountability and financial transparency provisions.

It is expected that other bills will be introduced during the October Special Session to meet Governor Abbott’s goal of making sure every student has the ability to get the education that best meets his or her needs. Recent polling has revealed Texas voters support Governor Abbott’s ESA proposal by a 2 to 1 margin, with an August University of Texas at Austin poll showing support at 52% and opposition at 27%.