By Staff@tx3dnews | April 17, 2025
A $10,000 private school voucher sounds great… until you realize the average tuition at top North Texas private schools is closer to $18,000—before you factor in fees, books, uniforms, or transportation.
This week, Governor Greg Abbott and Texas House leaders pushed through a $1 billion school voucher bill, framing it as a victory for “parental choice.” But in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District—home to some of the state’s highest-rated public schools and steep private tuition—the bill looks more like political theater than practical policy.
🧾 What’s Actually in the Bill?
– $10,000/year for most families through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)
– Up to $30,000/year for students with disabilities
– $2,000/year for homeschoolers
– Priority given to low-income families and students in underperforming schools
– Projected rollout: 2025–2026 school year (pending Senate reconciliation and Abbott’s signature)
📢 The Political Pitch
Governor Abbott and GOP leaders say the bill:
– Helps low-income families escape struggling schools
– Supports students with disabilities
– Puts control of education back into parents’ hands
Abbott championed the measure aggressively, even backing primary challengers to unseat Republican lawmakers who previously opposed voucher legislation.
📉 The Reality in TX-03
💰 Private Tuition Gaps
In Collin County, private school tuition routinely exceeds the voucher amount:
– Prestonwood Christian Academy: ~$20,160
– Legacy Christian Academy: ~$19,540
– Prince of Peace Catholic: ~$14,000–$17,000
– McKinney Christian Academy: ~$14,000
Even with a voucher, most families in TX-03 face a shortfall of several thousand dollars.
🚪 Selective Admissions, No Guarantees
Private schools are not required to:
– Accept all students (and often don’t)
– Accommodate special needs students
– Abide by the same accountability standards as public schools
They can—and often do—deny enrollment based on academic performance, disciplinary history, religion, or behavioral criteria.
🏫 Defunding the Public Schools That Work
TX-03 includes top-performing districts like Frisco ISD, Plano ISD, Allen ISD, and Lovejoy ISD. Parents and educators alike worry that this legislation:
– Diverts funding from already successful schools
– Undermines inclusive programs serving thousands
– Creates a two-tier system: one public, one elite, both publicly funded
💬 What Parents and Educators Are Saying — In Their Own Words
Chandler Tadlock, a teacher and parent in Alamo Heights ISD, described the real strain on schools:
“I feel very strongly in public schools and the role that they play in our communities,” she said in an interview with KSAT. “Our district just went through a series of budget cuts and trying to decide what to cut.”
Jose Yakin, a Texas parent, was skeptical of the program’s priorities:
“I think it’s going to take a lot away from the public school system, which is pretty nice in some areas. I’d rather see them increase public school funding.” (KSAT)
Shelby Almarez, a mother of two, said vouchers might help—but not enough:
“We have to budget for it and really make sacrifices… It would be really nice to get some help on private school as well.” (KSAT)
Dr. David DeMatthews, education professor at the University of Texas at Austin, was blunt:
“This is the creation of an education market that is not for everybody,” he told The Texas Tribune. “You’re asking parents to waive protections solidified in federal law. There’s going to be parents who are not willing to do that.”
📍 Voices Close to Home: How North Texans Are Reacting
Fort Worth educators warned of disastrous financial ripple effects:
“If only 5% of students use this voucher system, that leaves 95% of students whose schools will lose money despite their fixed costs remaining the same,” they wrote in a joint editorial for the Star-Telegram and Yahoo News.
Tania Ahsan, headmaster of Selwyn School in Argyle (Denton County), expressed concern about confusion and unrealistic expectations:
“I’m not anticipating an influx of applicants,” she told CBS News Texas. “No matter how well this legislation is written, it’s going to be confusing for a long time.”
Rep. Mihaela Plesa (D-Plano)—whose district lies in the heart of TX-03—filed an amendment to cap the program’s funding:
“Without a cap, this program could balloon year-after-year, eating into public school funding, healthcare, infrastructure, and more,” she told the Dallas Morning News.
⚖️ What’s Next?
– The Senate already passed a similar bill.
– A conference committee will now reconcile differences between the two versions.
– Governor Abbott is expected to sign the final legislation.
– Legal challenges over constitutional issues—especially involving religious funding—are anticipated.
🧠 Bottom Line for TX-03
Governor Abbott’s $10K voucher program might work well in a press release—but in Collin County, it’s looking more like a publicly funded discount on a private product most families still can’t afford.
Meanwhile, the schools that already work for tens of thousands of students stand to lose funding, staff, and programs. And those left behind? They’re not likely to get a second chance with a coupon.
🗣️ Sound Off
Will this voucher plan help your family—or hurt your school?
Join the conversation at TX3DNews.com and follow us @TX3DNews for real updates on how this affects TX-03.