5.6 million students are served by Texas public schools, yet under the leadership of Gov. Abbott, the Legislature has refused to provide new resources to schools since 2019. Despite the Legislature rejecting the most recent iteration of school vouchers in November 2023, the governor and his allies are once again pursuing the unpopular program. Updated from 2023, Every Texan’s analysis shows at a meager 5% take up of a new voucher program, public schools in Texas would face an estimated loss of $2.25 billion statewide – more than double the $1 billion already allocated for the program in the 2026-2027 base budget. Rather than focusing on the needs of Texas kids by increasing the basic allotment, funding the basic allotment, or fixing education funding, legislative leadership is committed to pursuing vouchers that take funding away from schools.

This analysis details the projected loss of funding to Texas public school districts should 1%, 3%, or 5% of students accept a voucher. Texans can use this tool to find their school district and its estimated loss of funding from the introduction of a voucher program. Policymakers can also find a summary total of loss for all schools in their district as well a detailed listing of those schools. Lawmakers must consider the detrimental effects of a voucher program on the already strained budgets of public schools.