If Texas were to institute a universal Education Savings Account (ESA) program, Dr. Patrick Wolf of the University of Arkansas argues that by 2022 it would generate an additional 11,809 high school graduates. Having more high-school educated students would be good for Texas. These individuals would, on average, make more money (and thus pay more in taxes), be less likely to get into contact with the criminal justice system or end up on public assistance, and would live longer, healthier lives. This paper looks into the long term fiscal effects of the rise in the number of high school graduates from the program. In total, it estimates over $5 billion in benefits shared by participants of the program and society at large.
K-12 Education
Who’s Serving Who? Controversy Swirls Around Education Foundations
In Texas, education foundations are supposed to support public school districts through fundraising, making donations, and offering other supportive services. However, as documented in a recent report, these foundations sometimes blur the line when it comes to their own operations and the districts they serve. In a few cases, troubling evidence shows that they’ve grown...
June 16, 2026