The school choice revolution has shone a bright light on the dire situation caused by COVID-19 and draconian government efforts, including school closures for little good reason. But it has also woken up a sleeping giant: parents across the country: their children were barely learning in public schools, and it was time to stand up. Since then, parents have spoken out loud and clear, with more than 30 states now having school choice programs, including 12 with universal or near-universal Education Savings Account (ESA) programs.
But Texas isn’t on that list yet.
Texas is the largest Republican state, with more than 6 million school-age children, but despite overwhelming support, it has not followed other states on school choice. This is a rare occurrence, given that school choice advocates have defeated incumbents in recent primaries, but it represents a big win for students, parents, teachers and taxpayers in the Lone Star State.
According to NAEP tests, only 24 percent of eighth graders are proficient in math and 23 percent are proficient in reading. Texas’ public education system is failing our kids. The time for bold action is now. Texas must implement universal Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to regain its position as a leader in educational excellence.
Texas’ delay in implementing ESAs takes on added urgency as Arizona, Florida and the other 10 states that have ESAs across the U.S. or near the U.S. demonstrate the transformative power of school choice. Amid the heated debate over Texas’ school choice bill, the harsh reality is that while these states are seeing improved student achievement and a more competitive educational environment, Texas continues to lag behind, despite pouring billions of dollars into public education.
Despite a $20.3 billion increase in public education in the most recent biennium (a 33.3 percent increase), student achievement in Texas has stagnated. Less than 20 percent of classroom spending goes to teachers, with the majority of the budget consumed by bloated administrative costs. The average classroom receives roughly $340,000 per year, but only a fraction of this amount goes to teacher salaries, the backbone of our education system.
This inefficiency is a clear indication that the current system is broken.
Economist Milton Friedman’s vision of school choice as a way to break up the government monopoly on education is more relevant than ever: In states that have implemented ESAs, the competitive pressures of school choice have led to higher student achievement and improved public schools.
In contrast, Texas remains stuck with a system that fails to deliver on its promises, leaving student achievement stagnant, teacher pay stubbornly low, and taxpayers wondering where their money is going. As I emphasized in recent testimony before a Texas Legislative Committee, this stagnation is unacceptable.
The economic case for universal ESA in Texas is similarly compelling.
By moving to the ESA model, Texas could reduce per-pupil spending from $17,000 for its 5.5 million public school students to $12,000 for all 6.3 million school-age children, potentially saving taxpayers $18 billion annually. These significant savings would be passed on to Texans through lower property taxes, providing much-needed relief as the cost of living rises.
Additionally, a competitive education system will force schools to pay more for quality teachers, with estimates of up to $28,000 more per year in increased salaries. The benefits of ESAs go beyond education: ESAs represent a broader commitment to economic freedom and making taxpayer dollars work for you.
Recent primary election results show overwhelming public support for school choice.
Yet, despite this mandate, Texas lawmakers have failed to act. For Texas to move forward, it needs to pass a universal ESA bill that gives all parents the freedom to choose the best educational environment for their children. This is not just about improving education, it’s about empowering parents, raising teacher pay, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
The benefits of ESAs will extend beyond education and ripple throughout the Texas economy.
A well-educated, adaptable workforce is essential for Texas to remain competitive in attracting businesses and fostering innovation. By providing students with an education that best meets their needs, ESA prepares them to succeed in a rapidly changing job market, helps increase real estate values ​​and drives job creation.
As someone who grew up in a low-income, single-mother household in South Houston and attended private, public and homeschooled schools, I understand firsthand the transformative power of educational choice. Texas has always been a leader, yet in education it is lagging.
Texas must stop following and join the national school choice effort to ensure every child has access to a quality education tailored to their individual needs. The future of our kids, teachers, and economy depends on it. Now is the time for lawmakers in every state to act and make universal ESAs the norm, not just a revolution, empowering generations of Americans.
Vance Ginn
Dr. Vance Ginn is Founder and President of Ginn Economic Consulting, LLC and an Associate Fellow at AIER. He is Chief Economist at the Pelican Institute for Public Policy and a Senior Fellow at the American Tax Reform Institute. He previously served as Deputy Director for Economic Policy at the White House Office of Management and Budget from 2019-2020.
Follow him: @VanceGinn.
