Education
BY ANGELA BONILLA & VANESSA HOLT
Legislators, private schools look to school choice in 2025
Proposals to create education savings accounts for students to attend private schools failed to pass the Texas Legislature in 2023, but legislators said the topic will return in the 2025 session. “Several key proposals didn’t pass last session, and I am already working on new legislation for the 2025 session,” Sen. Brandon Creighton, RConroe, said in an email. He said in 2025 he would again advance his Texas Parental Bill of Rights and Texas Teacher Bill of Rights, which include provisions for education savings accounts. Previous proposals outlined approaches for Texas families—up to 60,000 stu- dents, in one version of the bill—to receive funding for tuition at accredited private schools. Conroe ISD ocials have been critical of the proposals, with CISD Superintendent Curtis Null noting that a proposal to provide $8,000 per private school student was more than the $6,160 allotment per public school student.
The context Julie Ambler, head of school at The Woodlands Christian Academy, said she sees support for the proposals from private schools. “As private schools, we very much believe that parents are the primary educators of their chil- dren, and they should have a choice of where they send them,” Ambler said. “For the vast majority of kids, that’s the local public schools because they have the most programs and amenities, but not for every child and not for every family.” What’s next A pair of bills Creighton led in 2023, Senate bills 1 and 2, aimed to provide $500 million for private school vouchers and $5.2 billion for public school funding and teacher raises. House Rep. Steve Toth, RThe Woodlands, said he believes the issues will be revisited in 2025. However, CISD ocials said at a July 16 budget
"As private schools, we very much believe that parents are the primary educators of their children, and they should have a choice of where they send them." JULIE AMBLER, HEAD OF SCHOOL, THE WOODLANDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
meeting legislative action is also needed to pro- vide funding for public schools above the current allotment. At the Aug. 20 CISD board meeting, trustee Stacey Chase suggested including opposition to school vouchers among legislative priorities for the board to consider for 2025, but the board did not vote on a nal list at the meeting.
MODERN STYLISH LIVING
Enjoy an active healthy lifestyle with access to our senior centric health & fitness center, with invigorating exercise classes, strolls amidst beautifully landscaped surroundings, and refreshing swims in a heated pool on-site.
Experience movies the way Hollywood intended in our cutting edge Starlite In-House Movie Theater, complete with a show-stopping, wall-size screen and the latest in digital surround sound technology.
SCHEDULE A TOUR AND ENJOY LUNCH ON US!
Experience modern and stylish living at Conservatory At Alden Bridge . Our commitment to continuous modernization means that we invest in the home you live in, providing unrivaled amenities and fostering a strong sense of community. Conservatory At Alden Bridge stands as the premier choice for Active Independent Living in The Woodlands, offering a lifestyle that blends style, sophistication, and a vibrant community atmosphere.
832.408.0039 ConservatoryAtAldenBridge.com 6203 Alden Bridge Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77382 Active Independent Living
©2024 Discovery Management Group. All Rights Reserved. Prices, plans and programs are subject to change or withdrawal without notice. Void where prohibited by law. Managed and Operated by Discovery Management Group. CAB-0380 5/24.
25
THE WOODLANDS EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook