Public school advocates oppose any plan resembling school vouchers saying such programs drain resources from the campuses that educate more than 5 million children in Texas. Supporters of ESAs say families should get state funding for the educational settings that best fit their needs.

House Bill 4, by State Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, would also expand the Texas Education Agency’s powers to sanction school districts. It would allow the agency to take action against districts with low accountability ratings as well as those that sue the state.

Texas House Bill 3 introduces private school vouchers, stirring debate about educational funding and school choice.