AUSTIN, Texas: Over the weekend, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a new law that will let more than five million students use state money to attend private schools.

This is a significant step in a national effort by conservatives to change how public education works in the U.S.

Texas will spend US$1 billion in the first two years of the program. Parents can get vouchers (state money) to help pay for private schools. Texas is now the 16th state to let all students use public money for private education.

"This is a big day for parents," Abbott said at the signing. "Now they can choose the school that fits their child best."

These programs, called "universal school choice," are found only in states where Republicans control the legislature. Republican leaders have long said public schools teach children liberal ideas. Supporters of school choice say it gives parents more control. But critics say it takes money away from public schools and helps mostly wealthier families.

According to the group EdChoice, more than one million students across the U.S. already use state money or tax credits for private schools. The new Texas law will make all 5.3 million public school students in Texas eligible, which is more than any other state.

Texas has the second-largest public school system in the country. About 50 million children in the U.S. attend public schools.

In January, President Donald Trump signed orders telling the Department of Education to focus federal money on school choice and to help states fund private and religious schools. He strongly supported the Texas law and urged lawmakers to pass it.

Starting in the 2026–2027 school year, most Texas students will be able to get up to $10,000 a year to go to private school. Private school students who use vouchers must take a national test, and schools that get voucher money must be audited every year. Families earning over $160,000 a year (five times the poverty line) can receive no more than 20 percent of the total program money.

People have tried to bring school vouchers to Texas for more than 30 years. Until now, rural Republicans have joined Democrats to block the idea, fearing it would hurt small-town public schools with few private options.

But Abbott worked to defeat anti-voucher Republicans in recent elections, helping remove 15 from office. "No other governor has pushed school choice like Abbott," said Jorge Borrego from the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Abbott also supported more funding for public schools. One bill would give public schools $7.7 billion more over two years. However, education advocate Libby Cohen said schools actually need nearly $20 billion to keep up with inflation since 2019. Texas ranks 47th in the country in spending per student.

Public schools get money based on how many students they have. So, if students leave for private schools using vouchers, public schools will lose funding.

Randi Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers, said the new law would send billions to private schools that can pick and choose who to accept. She said Trump's efforts hurt schools that promote diversity and fairness.

Jon Valant of the Brookings Institution said he's more worried about these state voucher laws than Trump's past attempt to close the federal education department. He said vouchers often don't cover the full cost of private school, so only wealthier families can really use them. This could create a school system where rich kids go to better private schools, and public schools are left underfunded.

Meanwhile, conservative experts at the Heritage Foundation praised the law, saying it gives families the freedom to choose schools that match their values and needs.