A Texas-Sized Win for Families in the Trump Education Era
As the Texas legislature begins its session in earnest, the Lone Star State stands on the brink of a transformative victory for students and families: the long-awaited passage of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). After years of tireless advocacy and perseverance, lawmakers are poised to embrace school choice in a way that will elevate opportunities for every child—regardless of their zip code.
As the Texas Director of Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and an expectant mother, I am both professionally and personally invested in the future of education in our state. Like any parent, I want the best for my child. I want them to have access to an education that fits their needs and allows them to thrive. With ESAs, we can give all Texas parents the ability to make those choices, ensuring their tax dollars follow their children to schools that work for them, whether that means public, private, charter, micro-schooling, or homeschooling.
For too long, Texas families have been denied these options. Every child deserves a world-class education, but many remain trapped in underperforming schools simply because of their address. The status quo has failed to deliver—only 52% of Texas fourth and eighth graders read on grade level, and just 43% are proficient in math. These outcomes are unacceptable, and it’s time for a change.
This shift hasn’t come easily. AFP activists have spent years working to make school choice a reality, knocking on doors, making calls, and advocating for policies that put students first. Governor Greg Abbott’s leadership has been instrumental in this effort. His relentless commitment to education reform, including calling multiple special sessions to pressure holdout lawmakers, kept the issue front and center. When those lawmakers continued to obstruct progress, voters made their voices heard. Thanks to the hard work of AFP-Texas and like-minded organizations, the legislature now reflects the values of parents who demand better for their children.
Adding to this momentum, President Trump’s recent nomination of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education is a strong affirmation of the school choice movement. McMahon has long championed parental choice in education, and her upcoming confirmation hearings are a good omen for the broader national push toward educational freedom. It’s fitting that her confirmation process will coincide with the Texas legislature’s final steps to pass ESAs. Together, these events signal a turning point for families across Texas and the nation.
Critics of ESAs often argue that they will harm public schools or disadvantage low-income and minority students. This is simply untrue. In fact, ESAs will do the opposite. For students already stuck in failing schools, ESAs represent a lifeline. Every parent pays taxes, and every parent should have the right to direct those dollars to the best educational fit for their child.
Importantly, the state is considering funding ESAs through the surplus budget, not the public K-12 education budget. This means no public school funding will be affected. Public schools, meanwhile, will benefit from the healthy competition ESAs foster. By introducing choice, we encourage schools to innovate and improve, which ultimately benefits all students.
The opposition’s zero-sum narrative—that this is a battle between public and private schools—misses the point entirely. This isn’t about systems; it’s about students. We’re fighting for an education ecosystem where every option—public, private, charter, homeschool, and beyond—can thrive. When we prioritize kids and their futures, everyone wins regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic status.
The stakes are high, and the timing couldn’t be more urgent. The future of Texas depends on the future generations we educate today. As the state legislature reconvenes, we are on the verge of securing this monumental win for families. Let’s not lose sight of what this means: more children will have the chance to succeed, and more parents will have the power to make decisions that best suit their kids.
Governor Abbott’s determination and the relentless efforts of AFP activists have brought us to this moment. Together, we have changed the trajectory of education in Texas, and this month, we’ll see the fruits of that labor. For my child and for every child in Texas, this is a victory worth celebrating.
As the Texas Director of Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and an expectant mother, I am both professionally and personally invested in the future of education in our state. Like any parent, I want the best for my child. I want them to have access to an education that fits their needs and allows them to thrive. With ESAs, we can give all Texas parents the ability to make those choices, ensuring their tax dollars follow their children to schools that work for them, whether that means public, private, charter, micro-schooling, or homeschooling.
For too long, Texas families have been denied these options. Every child deserves a world-class education, but many remain trapped in underperforming schools simply because of their address. The status quo has failed to deliver—only 52% of Texas fourth and eighth graders read on grade level, and just 43% are proficient in math. These outcomes are unacceptable, and it’s time for a change.
This shift hasn’t come easily. AFP activists have spent years working to make school choice a reality, knocking on doors, making calls, and advocating for policies that put students first. Governor Greg Abbott’s leadership has been instrumental in this effort. His relentless commitment to education reform, including calling multiple special sessions to pressure holdout lawmakers, kept the issue front and center. When those lawmakers continued to obstruct progress, voters made their voices heard. Thanks to the hard work of AFP-Texas and like-minded organizations, the legislature now reflects the values of parents who demand better for their children.
Adding to this momentum, President Trump’s recent nomination of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education is a strong affirmation of the school choice movement. McMahon has long championed parental choice in education, and her upcoming confirmation hearings are a good omen for the broader national push toward educational freedom. It’s fitting that her confirmation process will coincide with the Texas legislature’s final steps to pass ESAs. Together, these events signal a turning point for families across Texas and the nation.
Critics of ESAs often argue that they will harm public schools or disadvantage low-income and minority students. This is simply untrue. In fact, ESAs will do the opposite. For students already stuck in failing schools, ESAs represent a lifeline. Every parent pays taxes, and every parent should have the right to direct those dollars to the best educational fit for their child.
Importantly, the state is considering funding ESAs through the surplus budget, not the public K-12 education budget. This means no public school funding will be affected. Public schools, meanwhile, will benefit from the healthy competition ESAs foster. By introducing choice, we encourage schools to innovate and improve, which ultimately benefits all students.
The opposition’s zero-sum narrative—that this is a battle between public and private schools—misses the point entirely. This isn’t about systems; it’s about students. We’re fighting for an education ecosystem where every option—public, private, charter, homeschool, and beyond—can thrive. When we prioritize kids and their futures, everyone wins regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic status.
The stakes are high, and the timing couldn’t be more urgent. The future of Texas depends on the future generations we educate today. As the state legislature reconvenes, we are on the verge of securing this monumental win for families. Let’s not lose sight of what this means: more children will have the chance to succeed, and more parents will have the power to make decisions that best suit their kids.
Governor Abbott’s determination and the relentless efforts of AFP activists have brought us to this moment. Together, we have changed the trajectory of education in Texas, and this month, we’ll see the fruits of that labor. For my child and for every child in Texas, this is a victory worth celebrating.
Genevieve Collins is Texas Director of Americans for Prosperity
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