Three bills proposing school choice scholarships in Texas were filed in Austin on Friday May 8. The bills, introduced by Senators Dan Patrick (SB 23) and Ken Paxton (SB 1015) and State Rep. Bill Callegari (HB 3245), take an innovative approach to addressing persistent issues of equitable funding and accountability for Texas school children by creating a scholarship program funded by contributions from Texas businesses.

A school choice tax credit allows Texas corporations and insurance companies a tax credit against their state franchise tax liability when they contribute to non-profit organizations that award scholarships to students demonstrating financial and academic need. Students can then use these scholarships to attend accredited private schools.

Texas' Catholic bishops believe that parents have a right and responsibility to educate their children, Jeff Patterson, Executive Director for the Texas Catholic Conference said.

“Parents should also have a right to choose the best school for them. School choice is important to the Catholic Church, largely because we see it as an issue of equity and justice for families who want—and should have the opportunity to make—the best choices for their children,” Patterson said.

School choice does not represent a judgment against our public school system or its teachers. It merely recognizes that in Texas, a family’s educational choices are limited by their economic means, Patterson said.