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A recent survey conducted by Texas Southern University’s Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research & Survey Center provides valuable insights into public opinion on Texas public schools and Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Conducted in February 2025, the poll highlights a growing demand for school choice policies, with a significant majority of Texans favoring universal ESA legislation. As Texas lawmakers consider new education policies, these findings underscore the importance of addressing parental demand for educational flexibility.
Widespread Support for Universal Education Savings Accounts
The survey found that 63% of Texans support universal ESAs, allowing all parents to access state funds for alternative educational options such as private schools, online learning, and specialized educational programs. The high level of support suggests that many Texans believe in empowering parents with the ability to choose the best educational environment for their children.
The support for universal ESAs is strong across demographics. Among racial groups, 69% of Black Texans, 62% of White Texans, and 59% of Latino Texans back the policy. Politically, 78% of Republicans, 64% of Independents, and even 46% of Democrats support universal ESAs, showing bipartisan interest in expanding school choice. Notably, Republican support is consistent across racial lines, with 82% of Black Republicans, 77% of White Republicans, and 77% of Latino Republicans favoring the initiative. Even among Democrats, 57% of Black Democrats support ESAs, compared to 41% of Latino Democrats and 36% of White Democrats.
Limited Support for Income-Restricted ESA Programs
While universal ESAs enjoy strong support, enthusiasm decreases when access is limited to low-income families. The survey found that only 45% of Texans support income-restricted ESAs, which would provide funds exclusively to families earning under $50,000 per year. A majority of 55% oppose this restriction, indicating that most Texans prefer a broader ESA program that includes families of all income levels.
Support for income-restricted ESAs varies across racial and political groups. 61% of Black Texans support restricted ESAs, compared to 44% of Latino Texans and 42% of White Texans. Among Republicans, support drops significantly to 50%, compared to the 78% support for universal ESAs. Meanwhile, Democratic support remains steady, with 43% backing both universal and restricted ESAs. Independents show the greatest decline in support, with only 43% favoring income-restricted ESAs compared to 64% for universal ESAs.
Compelling Arguments For and Against ESAs
The survey also assessed the persuasiveness of arguments surrounding ESAs. Among opponents, the most common concern—cited by 27% of Texans—is that ESAs divert funding from already struggling public schools. However, 40% of Texans rejected all five anti-ESA arguments presented in the survey, signaling that many voters do not find opposition arguments convincing. The least persuasive argument was the claim that ESAs violate the constitutional separation of church and state, with only 7% finding it compelling.
On the pro-ESA side, two arguments stood out as particularly persuasive. Twenty percent of respondents found the argument that ESAs allow parents to choose the best school for their child to be the most compelling, while 19 percent believed the strongest case for ESAs is that they offer students in failing schools access to a better education. Notably, 32 percent of Texans did not find any of the pro-ESA arguments compelling, suggesting that while support for ESAs is high, messaging may need refinement to appeal to undecided voters.
Governor Abbott Makes School Choice an Emergency Legislative Priority
Governor Greg Abbott has placed school choice and ESAs at the forefront of his legislative agenda, officially designating it as an emergency legislative priority during his 2025 State of the State Address. Abbott emphasized that Texas parents should have the ability to choose the best educational environment for their children, regardless of income or zip code. His push for ESAs aligns with the strong public support indicated in the recent polling, reinforcing the urgency of passing meaningful school choice legislation this session.
Historically, school choice efforts have faced significant resistance in the Texas House, particularly from rural Republicans who expressed concerns about funding for public schools in their districts. However, recent developments indicate that a majority of Texas House members now support school choice legislation, removing a key roadblock that has stalled similar measures in the past. This shift signals a new political reality in Texas—one where school choice legislation has the votes necessary to advance through the Legislature and reach the Governor’s desk.
Texas Voters Favor Expanding School Choice
The survey results make it clear that Texans strongly support Education Savings Accounts, particularly when they are universally available rather than restricted by income. The broad support across racial and political demographics indicates that school choice is not just a partisan issue but a growing movement among Texas families seeking better educational opportunities for their children.
The findings suggest that policymakers considering ESA legislation should prioritize universal access over restrictive measures. The argument that ESAs provide children in failing schools with a pathway to a better education is particularly compelling to voters, reinforcing the need for policies that expand, rather than limit, school choice.
As Texas lawmakers debate education policy, this survey highlights a clear voter mandate: Texans want more control over their children’s education, and they overwhelmingly support policies that give them that choice.
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