Speak Out! Stop Unfair Voucher Rules Before New Program Begins
Don’t let Texas use its new school voucher program discriminate against students
Texas is moving forward with its first-ever statewide private school voucher program, created by Senate Bill 2 during the regular legislative session. The new program is housed under the Texas Comptroller’s office.
The comptroller’s office posted its proposed rules for the school voucher program that is set to begin in the 2026-27 school year. Texans have until September 20 to submit public comments on the new program rules that detail who can participate in the program, how the application and selection process will work, and the program requirements.
We know vouchers are wrong for Texas, but since this program is moving forward, it’s important that the rules do not allow discrimination.
Your voice in this comment process can help hold state leaders accountable. Use our easy action template to send your comment now!
The proposed rules include the following elements:
Definitions of program participants and the private schools and education service providers who can receive funds.
Requirements for the organizations that will administer the school voucher application process and payments.
Rules that private schools, education service providers and other companies (or vendors) that receive funds must follow.
Rules for student participation, eligibility and selection.
Details on the “Freedom to Discriminate” clause, or the limits on state rules for program participants, schools, providers and vendors and how they admit and educate students and how they admit and educate students.
Rules in case a student, school or provider is suspended from participating.
The types of provider expenses that are allowed as “education-related.”
Appeals processes for participating families about program decisions.
Program administration: How and when funds will be released, refunds and account issues.
How program participants will receive notice of official communications.
What’s Wrong With the Proposed Rules?
1. The rules have discrepancies about which documents are required for students to prove their citizenship or lawful admission.
The rules must provide clear documentation requests to establish students’ proof of citizenship, U.S. national status or lawful admission. All student applicants must upload documents proving their U.S. citizenship or national status, such as the child’s birth certificate or U.S. passport.
But eligible lawfully admitted students have no guidance on how to prove they are eligible. The proposed rules do not list the documents students can use to establish their lawful admission to the United States.
2. The rules don’t protect children from discrimination.
No child should face discrimination, especially not by schools receiving public tax money. Rules for the voucher program, providers, vendors and schools should clarify that they will comply with the state education law to offer equal educational services or opportunities to all Texas children, including by providing special education services as appropriate.
But the current proposed rules focus on protecting the program providers, not the students or families.
3. The rules lack demographic data collection.
The proposed rules do not address how the program will collect and report demographic data about participants. Collecting data on students’ racial and ethnic background, socioeconomic status, home language and disability status are essential to evaluating the effectiveness and understanding program results.
It’s Easy to Submit Your Concerns!
This program will drain money from public schools while creating a coupon for the wealthiest few. We must voice our concerns as the program is being implemented; this is a crucial step in the advocacy process.
If you want to submit public comments, use our easy action form. We’ve provided a template you can customize or just click and send!
Or you can email your concerns directly to esa.rule.comment@cpa.texas.gov.
Hurry! The deadline is September 20!
This is just the first set of proposed rules. Subscribe to make sure you get updates. And stay tuned to learn how to weigh in on future rules and get updates about the school voucher program and related policies.
Don’t let Texas use its new school voucher program discriminate against students Texas is moving forward with its first-ever statewide private school voucher program, created
Speak Out! Stop Unfair Voucher Rules Before New Program Begins
Don’t let Texas use its new school voucher program discriminate against students
Texas is moving forward with its first-ever statewide private school voucher program, created by Senate Bill 2 during the regular legislative session. The new program is housed under the Texas Comptroller’s office.
The comptroller’s office posted its proposed rules for the school voucher program that is set to begin in the 2026-27 school year. Texans have until September 20 to submit public comments on the new program rules that detail who can participate in the program, how the application and selection process will work, and the program requirements.
We know vouchers are wrong for Texas, but since this program is moving forward, it’s important that the rules do not allow discrimination.
Your voice in this comment process can help hold state leaders accountable. Use our easy action template to send your comment now!
The proposed rules include the following elements:
What’s Wrong With the Proposed Rules?
1. The rules have discrepancies about which documents are required for students to prove their citizenship or lawful admission.
The rules must provide clear documentation requests to establish students’ proof of citizenship, U.S. national status or lawful admission. All student applicants must upload documents proving their U.S. citizenship or national status, such as the child’s birth certificate or U.S. passport.
But eligible lawfully admitted students have no guidance on how to prove they are eligible. The proposed rules do not list the documents students can use to establish their lawful admission to the United States.
2. The rules don’t protect children from discrimination.
No child should face discrimination, especially not by schools receiving public tax money. Rules for the voucher program, providers, vendors and schools should clarify that they will comply with the state education law to offer equal educational services or opportunities to all Texas children, including by providing special education services as appropriate.
But the current proposed rules focus on protecting the program providers, not the students or families.
3. The rules lack demographic data collection.
The proposed rules do not address how the program will collect and report demographic data about participants. Collecting data on students’ racial and ethnic background, socioeconomic status, home language and disability status are essential to evaluating the effectiveness and understanding program results.
It’s Easy to Submit Your Concerns!
This program will drain money from public schools while creating a coupon for the wealthiest few. We must voice our concerns as the program is being implemented; this is a crucial step in the advocacy process.
If you want to submit public comments, use our easy action form. We’ve provided a template you can customize or just click and send!
Or you can email your concerns directly to esa.rule.comment@cpa.texas.gov.
Hurry! The deadline is September 20!
This is just the first set of proposed rules. Subscribe to make sure you get updates. And stay tuned to learn how to weigh in on future rules and get updates about the school voucher program and related policies.
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Speak Out! Stop Unfair Voucher Rules Before New Program Begins
Don’t let Texas use its new school voucher program discriminate against students Texas is moving forward with its first-ever statewide private school voucher program, created