Politicians often say things that just aren’t true. Texas Senate candidate James Talarico is actually quite good at that. One of his best examples is “God is non-binary.”
This blog is principally about healthcare but I am passionate about school choice so I’ll make an exception when that is the issue. Talarico has put his foot in his mouth once again on the subject of school choice. He said, “Vouchers are welfare for the wealthy.” Now that the new law on school choice in Texas has launched, we can see again how wrong Talarico can be.
The Editorial Board of The Wall Street Journal tells us more than 85,000 students from 895 school districts have confirmed they’ll use a state-funded scholarship toward private school or home-school expenses in the coming year, according to a report this month by Texas Comptroller Don Huffines. Some 68,000, or 80%, are in households making 200% or less of the federal poverty level. That’s $66,000 for a family of four.
Another 17,300 students are in households between 200% and 500% of the poverty threshold, meaning no more than $165,000 for a family of four. More than 20,000 students, or about 25%, also have a disability. This outcome is by design: The law gives priority to children with disabilities and lower incomes, and a $1 billion funding cap means the program won’t reach other tiers of applicants.
The figures are incomplete, since only about 70% of the students offered funding had finalized their participation by the report’s Aug. 1 deadline. Depending on how many families with lower incomes decide not to take a scholarship after all, more funds may flow to higher tiers. After the report’s release, Mr. Huffines said the state had offered money to another 15,000 students between 200% and 500% of poverty.
Still, the report is a helpful look at where the taxpayer’s money is going. Scholarship amounts are modest: $2,000 for home-schoolers or up to $10,474 to attend a private school, which is 85% of the usual per-pupil funding. Children with disabilities can qualify for more.
The Editors tell us that more than 100,000 names are on a wait list. While many have higher incomes, that’s no good reason to exclude them from a state program to give families more choice and better educational options. Even for parents who are making more than $165,000, private-school tuition, times two or more children, is a heavy lift.
School choice is the best way to level the playing field for all children to have the opportunity to get a good education. Our public schools are failing to provide the education needed in many cities as demonstrated by declining proficiency scores. The future of our country depends on educating our children adequately to meet the demands of our complex world. School choice makes this possible even for those with lower incomes. We all should want what’s best for our children and our country. Talarico should want that, too.
