AUSTIN, TX—Following significant wins by pro-school choice candidates in Texas House races, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will bring school choice to the table in the upcoming legislative session if Gov. Abbott declares it an emergency item.

“Since 2015, the Senate has passed school choice five times. It died in a Republican-controlled House each time. That is unacceptable and inexcusable,” Patrick emphasized in a post-election statement. “With an expanded Republican majority in the Texas House, there is no reason Texas students should be left behind.”

School choice allows parents to use public funding allocated for their child’s education to enroll them in the school of their choice, including private, charter, or homeschool options. Proponents argue this empowers families, particularly those in failing school districts, by giving them the freedom to seek alternatives that better fit their children’s needs. 

Critics, however, claim it diverts money from public schools and undermines the public education system—an assertion that has been debunked with evidence that school choice benefits families of all socioeconomic statuses and cultures.

The debate over school choice in Texas has intensified in recent years, as many conservative lawmakers and parents push for reforms to address concerns about public school quality, curriculum, and administrative priorities. Texas’ vast and diverse education system—spanning 1,200 school districts and over 8,000 campuses—faces challenges in providing consistent quality across urban, suburban, and rural areas.

School choice would provide a pathway to increase competition, drive accountability, and give families more control over their children’s education. 

The hot topic played a pivotal role in the recent primary and general elections. Anti-school choice groups predicted a backlash against conservative candidates who supported the policy, but those forecasts proved wrong as parents across the state rallied behind pro-school choice candidates.

Texas Parent PAC, one of the state’s oldest anti-school choice organizations, endorsed candidates in 13 contested and open-seat races. The group suffered a significant defeat, winning only three races—two in reliably Democratic districts.

With these victories, Patrick announced that school choice legislation will be filed as Senate Bill 2 in the next session, second only to the constitutionally mandated state budget.

“Thirty-two states, both Republican and Democrat, have enacted some form of school choice legislation. There is absolutely no reason why Texas children and parents should be left behind,” Patrick stated. 

“A one-size-fits-all approach to education in a state with a population of 30 million, 254 counties, 1,200 school districts, and over 8,000 campuses simply cannot possibly meet the needs of every student.”

Patrick said he hopes Gov. Greg Abbott will name school choice an emergency item, which would allow the Senate to act on it during the first 60 days of the legislative session.

“If Gov. Abbott names school choice an emergency item, the Senate will take up and pass school choice in the early weeks of session, instead of having to wait 60 days until March,” Patrick said.

Abbott has expressed optimism, declaring after last week’s election that the House now has the votes to pass school choice.

However, some obstacles remain. During the last legislative session, the House stalled on school choice, allowing teachers’ unions and other public education advocates to block reforms. 

This time, House Speaker Dade Phelan may again prove to be a roadblock, with reports suggesting he could set the stage for a similar showdown in 2025.

Patrick has long been a staunch supporter of school choice, arguing that parents—not bureaucrats—should have the final say in their children’s education.

“Texans across the political spectrum agree that parents must have options to choose the school that best fits the needs of their child to ensure their success,” Patrick wrote. “Voters have spoken clearly during the primary and general elections; the time for school choice in Texas is long overdue.”

Patrick also highlighted that despite $39 billion in annual funding for public education, only $500 million was proposed in past school choice bills to support 60,000 students out of the 5.5 million enrolled in Texas public schools. Yet those proposals continually failed in the House.

With the 89th Legislative Session set to begin on January 14, 2025, Patrick and Abbott are gearing up for what could be the most significant push yet for education reform in Texas.