Texas Empowers Parents With Education Savings Accounts: Andrew Handel on Voice of Reason
We're proud to say right now we're at 16 states with universal school choice.
The recent passage of the largest school savings account program in Texas, would allow parents to direct state funds for approved educational expenses. Andrew Handel, ALEC Education and Workforce Development Task Force Director, spoke with host Andy Hooser on Voice of Reason highlighting that 16 states now offer universal school choice, covering over 50% of American students. He emphasized that these programs increase per-student spending and improve educational outcomes by providing parents with more control over their children’s education.
Handel expressed excitement about the progress in education freedom, highlighting Texas’s universal program as the largest in the country.
“We’re just seeing states just go for it. You just mentioned Texas, that’s going to be the largest day one universal program anywhere in the country.”
Handel then explained how the Texas program utilizes education savings accounts to allow parents to direct funds previously spent by the state on their child’s education to approved educational expenses.
“An education savings account is basically where a state takes their portion of money that they would have otherwise spent to teach that child in a public school, and it goes into an account that the parent can then direct how the funds are spent…The whole purpose of these accounts is to help make those other learning environments and a reality for these families.”
Handel highlighted New Hampshire as a state to watch, with a bill working its way through the legislative process to expand their existing ESA program.
The one state that we’re keeping a close eye on is New Hampshire…They already have an ESA program in place, and it’s, it’s pretty broadly available, but it’s not quite universal. There is a bill that’s working its way through the process.
Handel later emphasized the importance of these programs in providing educational opportunities for all families, regardless of their location.
We’re proud to say right now we’re at 16 states with universal school choice and we can now say officially that more than 50% of American kids have access to a school choice program.