Does Texas’ Voucher Program Offer School Choice—or a New Crisis for Special Education?

As Texas prepares to launch a sweeping private school voucher initiative, public schools find themselves facing an unexpected and costly burden: a wave of special education evaluation requests. The voucher legislation, which has passed through the state legislature and is expected to be signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, offers up to $30,000 annually to families of students with disabilities who choose to enroll in private education. It’s a pitch framed around educational choice and access, especially for students with complex learning needs, as reported by the San Antonio Express News.

But embedded within the plan is a critical requirement: public schools must complete full special education evaluations within 45 days for any student seeking voucher funds, even those who have never attended public school and don’t plan to. These evaluations, which are federally mandated and involve a mix of assessments, interviews, and detailed reporting, typically cost between $1,000 and $2,500 per child.

The voucher program is set to roll out in the 2027–2028 school year, and students must complete a public school evaluation to determine eligibility and funding level. Lawmakers who backed the measure argue this ensures students with disabilities receive adequate support, even outside the public system.

“We listened to special education advocates who said the $10,000 standard wasn’t enough for students with complex needs,” said Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, a co-author of the House bill. “This evaluation requirement helps align funding with the level of support a student would receive in public school.”

Still, advocacy groups like Disability Rights Texas have voiced concern that private school students may effectively “cut in line,” consuming evaluation resources that would otherwise serve public school students. To meet evaluation deadlines, some districts are outsourcing the work. In the past five years, spending on contracted special education evaluation services has surged by 75%, now topping $180 million annually. But even that may not be enough to keep pace if voucher-related demand continues to rise.

Andrea Chevalier of the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education argues the system was already under pressure. Several years ago, the state lifted an illegal cap on the number of students allowed in special education—fueling the current spike in evaluation requests. She worries the voucher plan could further strain a system close to its breaking point.

While supporters say the voucher program offers a lifeline to families seeking alternatives, public school leaders are left bracing for a new reality—one where the ripple effects of private school policy are deeply felt in public classrooms.