Texans Are Losing Their Democracy, School by School
In the exact system charged with instilling our civic values, voter input is being stripped out with each legislative session.
school vouchers
Texas Taxpayers Will Fund Dozens of Private Schools that Openly Discriminate
The state has signed off on voucher funds for schools that exclude non-Christian and LGBTQ+ kids.
Texas’ Top Voucher Vendor Taps Abbott Allies in Contract Bid, Program Rollout
The New York firm Odyssey is now running the state’s lucrative voucher scheme with a little help from the governor’s friends.
The Future of Public Education Is on the Ballot in Cy-Fair ISD and Beyond
I’m scared of what’s being lost in our classrooms: critical thinking, open dialogue, and the freedom to be ourselves.
Texas Already Gives Public Ed Dollars to Private Operators. Here’s How That Worked Out.
The state created “Texas Partnership” charter schools to turn around struggling public campuses, but an Observer investigation has uncovered numerous academic and financial issues.
Editor’s Letter: Introducing Our May/June 2025 Issue
A note from the editor-in-chief
Ending 30 Years of Resistance, Trump and Abbott Break the ‘People’s House’
The Legislature’s lower chamber has finally blessed school vouchers—and denied ordinary Texans the chance to weigh in.
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Opposition to Abbott’s Vouchers Plan Includes Conservatives
The governor crushed anti-voucher Republicans in the Texas House, but there are still plenty of party activists who are opposed.
Who’s Paying for Public School Vouchers? (1998)
"Somebody had to eat the first oyster." With that salty metaphor, Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock makes the argument that elected officials shouldn't be afraid to try new ideas—in this case, vouchers that would shift taxpayers' moneys from public to private schools.
House Committee Passes ‘Texas Two Step’ of Vouchers and Public Ed Funding
Dems could do little but sound the alarm on vouchers—and warn the $7.7-billion school-finance package is still not enough.