072. Dismantling of Public Education: School Vouchers and the DOE
072. Dismantling of Public Education
School Vouchers and the DOE

The fight for quality education affects us all—whether your kids are in public school, private school, or you homeschool. School vouchers are being framed as “choice,” but the reality is they funnel public funds away from already underfunded schools, creating deeper inequalities. Today, we’re talking about how these policies threaten public education, why homeschoolers should care, and what we can do to push back. This is about more than just schools—it’s about the future of education for ALL our children.
Episode 072:
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Show Notes
Our mission at BTDT has always been to support and empower the homeschool community. And we had a completely different episode planned for today, but with everything happening right now, we knew we couldn’t stay silent and decided to pivot. Today we’re talking about the Dismantling of Public Education and the Threat of School Vouchers. This issue isn’t just about public schools—it affects all of us, including homeschoolers. We are not immune to the consequences of these policies that are being pushed.
It’s easy to assume that because we homeschool, we’re unaffected by what’s happening in public education. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. The push for school vouchers isn’t about expanding choices for families—it’s about diverting critical funding from public schools. This will lead to weakening an institution that serves millions of children, and setting a dangerous precedent that could undermine educational freedom for everyone. This isn’t just a public school issue—it’s an issue that impacts our entire society. And we can’t afford to ignore it.
We know everyone is feeling overwhelmed right now. We’re being bombarded daily with sensational news from the new administration. We’re all feeling like this. It’s frustrating and sometimes we just need to step away for a mental health moment. It’s tempting to tune it all out because it seems too big to fight. But history has shown us something important: when people stand together, we create change. Unjust policies have been overturned. Civil rights have been expanded. Democracy has been defended. Not because people stayed silent, but because they spoke up and took action.
We are not alone in this. You are not alone in this. Across the country, people are pushing back, protesting, and holding leaders accountable. Change is still possible. But first, we need to understand what’s really at stake.
So let’s talk about it. Let’s break it down, get clear on the facts, and figure out what we can do—together. Because this isn’t just about schools. It’s about the future of education for all of our kids.
We all see it— we are witnessing a deliberate and reckless dismantling of critical institutions under this administration. These policies are being pushed without thought for the millions of people they harm:
- FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Federal employees are facing mass layoffs, many of which are lifelong civil servants and veterans.
- SENIOR CITIZENS: Seniors are now facing threats to Social Security and Medicare. These are programs they spent their entire lives paying into.
- LGBTQ+: The LGBTQ+ community is under direct attack through regressive policies that strip away their rights.
- MINORITIES: Minorities are experiencing unprecedented levels of discrimination.
- WOMEN: Women’s reproductive rights and access to essential healthcare are being systematically dismantled. The government has even flagged the word “woman” in their system, further erasing our voices and identities. These rollbacks will have devastating consequences for future generations, especially our daughters, who are growing up in a country where their rights are being stripped away by leaders who have consistently devalued women.
- WORKERS’ RIGHTS: Workers are being left to the mercy of corporations with no protections, fair wages, and no recourse against exploitation.
- CLIMATE: This one will affect us all. They are cutting environmental regulations while ignoring the worsening climate crisis.
- FREE PRESS: The government is actively shaping what information we see and hear. Media outlets are being sued, intimidated, and replaced with alt-right propaganda and conspiracy theories as legitimate news sources. Meta is limiting our newsfeed, and TikTok’s algorithm has definitely changed.
- TRADE WARS: We are picking fights with our strongest global partners. And, I mean, you have to be really bad to piss off Canadians. Trade wars and deteriorating relationships with allies.
- IMMIGRANTS: Thousands of immigrants are being detained. They are raiding elementary schools and churches. Women, men, children are being put in facilities with no oversight and no accountability for human rights abuses. These aren’t just deportation centers—they are concentration camps where people are being warehoused in places like Guantánamo Bay and El Salvador with no path forward. We are both children of immigrants. My parents fled Cuba as refugees, so this is especially personal.
- DEI: Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives are being gutted—the push to destroy diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in education, workplaces, and government institutions is part of a larger agenda to erase protections for marginalized groups. This administration has turned DEI into a boogeyman when, in reality, it was a basic step toward leveling the playing field. Now, schools, universities, and corporations are being forced to abandon equity efforts that help underrepresented communities, and return to systems that favor the privileged. Not to mention, DEI initiatives means a whole host of other things- accessibility for the handicapped, parental leave, subtitles on TV, changing tables in restrooms, size inclusive medical equipment. Do people not know what these words mean? We saw a meme about how making it an acronym transforms it into a thought-terminating cliche. We need to be asking people to say out loud which of these words they don’t like. You oppose diversity? Say it.
And while all of this is happening, we have Elon Musk, a Nazi billionaire, who thinks politics is a joke. He’s an immigrant himself with unchecked access to our government and treats our democracy like a game.
And at the center of all of this? The attack on education. There’s clearly a lot of things to tackle, but today we’re going to really stay focused on this topic.
- At the federal level, they are trying to eliminate the Department of Education—completely defunding and deregulating education across the country.
- Here in Texas, and in several other states, they are pushing school vouchers, a system designed to defund and destroy public schools while funneling taxpayer money into private institutions.
These people are getting richer while they dismantle everything that keeps our country functioning.

I know we have listeners from all over, but we have both done a lot of deep dives into the Texas School Choice bill, as it affects us personally, so we are going to talk specifically about this one, knowing that the ramifications of bills like this are pretty universal.
Texas School Choice Bill
The Texas school choice bill, often framed as an opportunity for parents to take control of their children’s education, is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Supporters claim that it empowers families by providing vouchers or education savings accounts (ESAs) that allow public funds to be used for private or charter schools. They sell it as money following the student. On the surface, that may sound like a good idea, but we assure you, it is a total scam. A deeper look reveals that this policy would weaken public education and create greater inequities. In the long run, this would really harm Texas families.
This bill has been aggressively marketed as a “school choice” bill, but we already have school choice in Texas. You can choose public, private, or homeschooling. We choose to homeschool, but that does not mean that we do not support public schools. Everyone benefits from an educated society and all children have the right to free, quality education. We just don’t expect to be paid for our choices. We are lucky to be able to opt out of the system. My personal hope was that that would leave more funding for other children.
And homeschoolers in Texas already have it pretty good. We are a non-reporting state, which means that we have relatively few requirements and no accountability to the government. And this is not free money. It will come with strings attached. This just opens the door wide open to future regulation to your homeschool.
I don’t know any homeschoolers who are for this. It baffles me that they have estimated in the bill that 50% of homeschoolers would apply to participate in the first year to get the $2000 ESA amount that they have designated for us. They further estimate that there are 560,000 homeschoolers in TX. Where are they even getting this number? We don’t report! This is a made up figure or based on something like school withdrawals. That is not accurate either. Our kids have never been to school, for example, so we are completely off grid.
It’s also important to note that vouchers are not popular with a lot of groups. There is a reason that these bills are being pushed through legislative channels, rather than being voted on during an election by the people. It would never pass.
Aside from our personal feelings, let’s talk about the facts. Why are vouchers a scam?
1. Defunding Public Schools
Texas already struggles with underfunded public schools particularly in rural areas where school districts serve as both educational institutions and community centers.. Texas consistently spends less per student than the national average- according to the NEA they spent $6,160 basic allotment per student last year (this allotment hasn’t been raised since 2019). We are in the bottom 10 states for per student funding. Texas Teachers make around $9,000 less than the national average.
The proposed voucher bill promises $10,000 to private schoolers but only $6500 to public schools. The school choice bill diverts public taxpayer dollars to private institutions, leaving already struggling schools with fewer resources, larger class sizes, and lower-quality education. Instead of fixing the problems in public schools, this bill exacerbates them.
Texas public schools rely on state funding based on student enrollment. When students leave for private or charter schools under a voucher system, public schools receive less funding but are still expected to maintain operations, pay teachers, and support remaining students. This leads to budget shortfalls, staff reductions, and fewer resources for students who remain in the public system. Most & Least Educated States in America
2. Lack of Accountability for Private Schools
Unlike public schools, private institutions receiving voucher funds are not held to the same academic and financial accountability standards. They can set their own admissions policies, curriculum standards, and disciplinary rules, often without transparency. This means public money could be used to fund schools that do not meet the same rigorous educational benchmarks that public schools must follow. Many private schools in TX also have a religious focus. Public dollars should not be funding religious education.
Public schools in Texas are subject to rigorous state oversight, standardized testing, and financial transparency requirements. Private schools and charter institutions receiving public funds through school choice programs do not have to adhere to the same standards. This lack of accountability allows for discrimination against students based on religion, race, identity, disability, or economic background.
Also, who owns these schools? Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles was hired in 2023 and has had a drama-filled tenure there where he has changed libraries into discipline centers and 10,000 staff members have since left. He’s the founder of a group of charter schools, including some here in Texas, which he was accused of funneling money to. Conflict of interest much? Follow the money. Mike Miles Corruption
3. Exacerbating Inequality
While supporters argue that school choice benefits all students, in reality, it disproportionately helps wealthy families and/or families that are already paying for private school. Many private schools charge tuition that far exceeds the amount provided by vouchers, making them inaccessible to lower-income families. Additionally, while public schools have to take all students, private schools can pick who they take. They are not required to accommodate students with disabilities or special needs, and may lack the specialized resources available in public schools. This effectively shuts out some of the most vulnerable children from educational opportunities.
School choice bills also disproportionately benefit families who already have the means to navigate complex application processes and provide transportation. Do you think a kid in a toxic family situation who already has issues with parents not being involved with their schooling is going to have a parent who fills out an application for them? Low-income families, students with disabilities, and those in rural areas are often left behind. Instead of increasing opportunities for all students, school choice policies deepen existing educational divides.
4. Threat to Rural Communities
In rural Texas, there are often few, if any, private school options. Public schools are the backbone of these communities, serving as employers and cultural hubs. When funding is removed through school choice programs, these schools face closure or consolidation, which can devastate small towns and force students to scramble for transportation and travel long distances for education.
In rural Texas, public schools not only provide education but also employment, extracurricular activities, and essential services. When state funds are siphoned away to support private education options that are often unavailable in rural areas, local public schools face severe financial strain and potential job loss in addition to the issues students face.
5. No Evidence of Improved Student Outcomes
Despite lofty promises, school choice programs in other states have not consistently led to better educational outcomes. Studies of voucher programs in states like Louisiana and Indiana have shown that students who transferred to private schools using public funds often performed worse on standardized tests compared to their peers who remained in public schools.
If the goal is to improve education, policymakers should focus on strengthening public schools rather than diverting resources away from them. In Arizona, they started a voucher program in 2022 that created a massive budget shortfall. Now they have to cut all kinds of programs to pay for it. It created a 1.4 billion deficit.
The ‘Catastrophic Failure’ of School Vouchers
School Voucher Programs in Indiana and Louisiana
A Better Path Forward
Instead of investing in a school choice system that primarily benefits private institutions and elite families, Texas lawmakers should prioritize policies that improve public education for all students. Increased funding for public schools, higher teacher salaries, smaller class sizes, and expanded support services would yield far greater benefits than a voucher system that primarily weakens public education.
And we would love to tell you that all of this organically happened and that this is a well-meaning bill that was created to solve a big problem within the education system. Well, not exactly. While education should not be a partisan issue, Republicans in Texas have taken several steps that undermine public education. Their policies and legislative actions have prioritized private school alternatives, reduced funding, and introduced ideological curriculum changes. This has all been part of a long game to erode people’s belief in the public school system and put money in the pockets of corporate shills.
Here are some key ways Republican policymakers have worked to weaken the state’s public schools:
1. School Voucher Programs & Privatization Efforts
Republican leaders, including Governor Greg Abbott, have pushed for these school voucher programs, which divert public funds to private and religious schools. Some owned by people who directly fund his campaign efforts. When Abbott was unable to get this bill passed over the last two years, he threatened and proceeded to primary out other Republican candidates who would not sign on to his voucher game.
Remember what we said about rural schools? Well there are a lot of rural areas that had Republican candidates that did oppose vouchers for those reasons. This should not be a partisan issue.
Do they even have the money to do this? They have proposed setting aside a billion dollars, over the next two years, to create these accounts which is a 500 million dollar increase from what lawmakers proposed two years ago, So basically 100,000 kids could enroll in this. There are 5.5 million children currently enrolled in Texas public schools.
Could my child get school vouchers under proposed Texas plan?
2. Chronic Underfunding of Public Schools
Despite a $32.7 billion state budget surplus in 2023, Texas Republicans refused to increase the basic per-student funding allotment, which hasn’t been raised since 2019. Texas ranks among the lowest states (bottom 10%) in per-student spending, forcing school districts to rely on local property taxes, deepening disparities between wealthy and low-income areas. More Details on Texas Budget Surplus.
Myth vs. Reality: The Truth About School Finance in Texas
3. Attacks on Teachers & Their Rights
Republicans have restricted teachers’ collective bargaining rights and refused to increase salaries despite teacher shortages. Efforts have been made to defund teachers’ unions, which advocate for better pay, working conditions, and resources for schools. Texas public employees do not have the right to collectively bargain.
New policies also limit teacher autonomy, including laws that threaten job security over discussions of race, gender, and history.
What happens if Texas teachers strike?
4. Curriculum Censorship & Book Bans
Texas has led the nation in book bans, with Republican lawmakers pushing to remove books on race, LGBTQ+ issues, and progressive social topics. The state has passed “critical race theory” bans, restricting how teachers discuss racism, history, and systemic inequality. CRT is a complex legal and academic theory that analyzes systemic racism and is a topic studied at the college level- it’s not being taught in k-12 schools.
Proposed laws seek to limit sex education and discussions of gender identity, restricting students’ access to inclusive learning materials.
Meanwhile, as they complain about schools “indoctrinating” students (with these things that aren’t happening), the Texas legislature has also proposed laws to put the 10 Commandments in classrooms and the SBOE approved a bible-infused curriculum.
5. Failure to Address Public School Needs
Instead of fixing the teacher shortage crisis, the legislature has focused on cultural wars, ignoring calls for higher pay and better working conditions. Many public school buildings are in poor condition, but Texas Republicans have refused to approve funding for much-needed repairs and upgrades.
Texas has also cut special education funding, making it harder for students with disabilities to receive necessary support. Texas Is Slashing $607 Million in Medicaid Funding From Program for Students With Disabilities
6. Gerrymandering & School Board Takeovers
Republican officials have redrawn school district maps to weaken the political influence of communities that oppose their policies.
This is what happened in my district. I live in a large city, but my district was redrawn into a largely rural district, where they do not even try to run anyone other than a Republican candidate. They primaried the long time Republican rep in that area because he opposed vouchers. The people have no representation in my district at all.
All of these actions collectively weaken Texas’ public school system, driving teachers away. The state has increasingly taken over local school districts, like with Houston ISD, replacing elected leaders with Republican-appointed administrators, and this reduces resources for students, and promotes alternatives that benefit private interests rather than the public good.
Why Texans Should Oppose the Texas School Choice Bill
This bill passed the Texas senate this week and is now in the house. Texans should be deeply concerned about the potential consequences of the Texas School Choice Bill. While the rhetoric around “parental rights” and “educational freedom” may sound appealing, the reality is that school choice programs threaten the foundation of public education, increase inequality, and fail to deliver meaningful improvements in student achievement.
A Better Path Forward
Instead of investing in a school choice system that benefits private schools and rich families, Texas lawmakers should prioritize policies that improve public education for all students regardless of their zip code or economic background. Increased funding for public schools, higher teacher salaries, smaller class sizes, and expanded support services would yield far greater benefits than a voucher system. If this passes, it will weaken public education.
Hope for the Future
Yes, these are scary times. But we are not powerless.
Our democracy depends on us standing up for what is right. Public education is a pillar of democracy—and when we defend it, we defend every child’s right to learn, grow, and thrive.
To stop school vouchers in Texas, the most important thing you can do is reach out to your state representatives.
- Call, email, and visit your Texas House representative to express your opposition to the voucher bill. Find your representative here: https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home. Pro Tip: Calling is more effective than emails—flood their phone lines! Personal visits to their local office are even more impactful.
- Encourage public school parents, teachers, and community members to get involved by attending school board meetings, writing letters, and sharing personal stories about how underfunding is already affecting students.
- You can also help by spreading awareness online and in your community. Post on social media, talk to friends and neighbors, and help correct misinformation—many people don’t realize Texas already has school choice without vouchers.
If we stand together, we can stop this attack on education and protect the future for all children—not just the privileged few.
Support Pro-Public Education Organizations
Groups that are actively fighting against school vouchers:
- Raise Your Hand Texas (https://www.raiseyourhandtexas.org)
- Texas American Federation of Teachers (AFT) (https://www.texasaft.org)
- League of Women Voters Texas (https://www.lwvtexas.org)
- 5 Calls: Make your voice heard: https://5calls.org
