From Texastribune · · 2m
Texas parents fear losing school voucher support for disabled kids
Texas parents worry about losing voucher funding for children with disabilities as new governor pledges to end the program.
In brief
Texas parents worry about losing voucher funding for children with disabilities as new governor pledges to end the program. Texas parents of children with disabilities fear losing $30,000 annual voucher funding if the state ends its education savings program. Originally reported by Texastribune.
Ruslan's school struggles
Kelci Jagge tried to send her adopted son Ruslan with cerebral palsy and seizure disorder to public school but he couldn't tolerate a full day of class.
“He’s profoundly disabled. He’s nonverbal, non-ambulatory and G-tube fed, and he just could not tolerate it. He would be screaming and screaming, and they would call me to pick him up every day.”
Voucher program benefits
Texas' $1 billion voucher program provides up to $2,000 for homeschooling expenses including sensory tools and specialized reading materials.
“I wouldn’t have normally went and bought (the buzzers) on my own because it’s like, ‘Do I want to spend that money on something I don’t know if he will use?’ Well, we really have used it quite a bit”
Democratic pledge to end vouchers
Democrats won all statewide offices and vow to gut the education savings account program which funds over 110,000 families for private schools and homeschooling.
“Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa said in her victory speech last week that she would 'work tirelessly to repair the damage of the Texas vouchers scam'”
Parents' concerns about funding
Parents worry about losing $30,000 annual funding for children with disabilities if the program is repealed.
“It’s making all the difference right now. I wouldn’t have been able to afford the curriculum nor any of the manipulatives”
Voucher program impact
Over 18,800 Texas students with disabilities use vouchers this year with 60% low-income and 17% having disabilities.
“At least 60% of all students participating are low-income, and about 17% have disabilities”
Parents' success stories
Parents report voucher funding helped children with autism, dyslexia and sensory needs access better educational environments.
“Talia now attends Oak Creek Academy, a private school in Killeen that specializes in educating neurodivergent children, and is thriving thanks to a voucher”
Political uncertainty
Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa has line-item veto power over education funding but hasn't committed to preserving voucher support.
“Hinojosa would have the power to veto any funding for the program included in the next state budget, although she hasn’t said if she’d do so”
State lawmakers' response
Several Texas Democrats say they're open to supporting families with disabilities through alternative education options.
“I don’t think anybody in the Legislature would have any issue continuing to support them”
Voucher program details
The program provides up to $30,000 annually for children with disabilities though very few received the maximum.
“Children with disabilities qualify for up to $30,000, although very few received the maximum amount”
Public school challenges
Parents report public schools failed to provide adequate accommodations for children with disabilities causing bullying and emotional distress.
“I’d have to see tears in her eyes at least once a week because she was being bullied, and now she’s happy. She gets to go to school and learn”
Voucher program funding
Texas Education Freedom Accounts program provides up to $2,000 for homeschooling expenses with special priority for low-income families.
“All eligible Texas children could apply, regardless of disability or income status, but applicants with a qualifying disability and family incomes below 500% of the federal poverty level were given the highest priority”
State leaders' stance
Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa and Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin have not responded to requests about voucher program continuation.
“Hinojosa and Lt. Gov-elect Vikki Goodwin, who oversees the Texas Senate, did not respond to a request for comment on the future of the voucher program”
Voucher program opposition
Democrats argue the program deprives public schools of funding and undermines educational standards.
“Democrats argue that the state needs to invest additional funds into public schools, not in subsidizing private or unregulated options that are not held to the same educational standards”
Voucher program alternatives
Some lawmakers propose reforms requiring private schools to follow federal special education laws to participate in the program.
“Others have proposed reforms, including requiring private schools to follow federal special education laws to participate in the program”
Parent perspectives
Parents say voucher funding has been life-changing for children with disabilities but fear losing access to specialized education.
“It’s making all the difference right now. I wouldn’t have been able to afford the curriculum nor any of the manipulatives”
What happens next
Texas lawmakers must decide whether to fund the voucher program or create alternatives for families with children with disabilities.
“We want to make sure we get it right for those that have already become part of the system”
What matters most
Texas parents of children with disabilities fear losing $30,000 annual voucher funding if the state ends its education savings program.