From the office of Sen. Blanco
Austin — On Feb. 5, State Sen. César Blanco voted against Senate Bill 2, which creates education savings accounts, also known as “school vouchers.” Despite opposition, the bill passed the Texas Senate by a 20-11 vote.
“I am disappointed to see the Texas Senate approve school vouchers and divert scarce public school dollars to private schools,” Blanco said. “Giving private schools a hand-out at the expense of public schools, leaves rural communities, English learners, and working families in my district with fewer choices, not more.”
SB 2 currently requires that parents be notified that private schools are not obligated to follow the same federal and state regulations for special education students as public schools. Blanco introduced an amendment to expand this notice requirement to include English language learners (ELLs). The amendment would have ensured that parents of ELL children, just like parents of special education students, could make an informed decision about the best educational setting for their child. Ultimately, the amendment was rejected by the author of the bill.
Blanco delivered a speech opposing the bill before its passage. “This bill isn’t about school choice. It’s about the private school’s choice. Instead of picking winners and losers, we should invest in all our students, fund our public schools, pay teachers what they deserve, and ensure that every child has a real opportunity to succeed. That is the promise of public education.”
