By Grant Coates, President and CEO of The Miles Foundation
Education savings accounts (or the related term “school vouchers”) have remained a contentious issue in Texas for much of the past decade. Critics have argued that ESAs divert funds away from public schools, or that schools receiving ESA funds are not held to the same academic standards as public schools, or that such programs fail to serve the most disadvantaged students effectively.
While I don’t agree with these arguments, my aim isn’t to argue them. It’s to shift the focus towards the opportunities this legislation provides now that ESAs are officially the law in Texas. This legislation offers a chance to reimagine how we approach education, particularly for families here in Tarrant County, my home.
Already, our community has witnessed what we at The Miles Foundation call “bright spots” in education. These achievements are the result of dedicated efforts by numerous schools, parents and advocates working tirelessly in our community to improve outcomes for students.
Now, with the support of state funded ESAs, families seeking an alternative to their local public school will have access to finding the best fit for their children and distinctive needs. So what exactly does this look like for Tarrant County’s 606,620 children?
ESAs promote equal opportunity, no matter a family’s financial situation.
Education Savings Accounts break down financial barriers and level the playing field for economically disadvantaged families. Cristo Rey Fort Worth’s work-study model demonstrates how access to quality education paired with real-world work experience can dramatically transform the future of underserved students. Providing access to ESAs can ensure every child has the chance to achieve their full potential, no matter their socioeconomic background. Cristo Rey’s outcomes include 100% college acceptance and 92% college persistence, well above the national average. ESAs empower personalized learning, understanding that all students are unique.
Education Savings Accounts empower families to choose schools that genuinely meet their child’s individual needs. Whether it’s a faith-based microschool like Braveheart Christian Academy or a specialized setting like Jane Justin School for students with developmental disabilities, ESAs enable personalized learning that leads to better outcomes. Imagine every child in Tarrant County who needs it, being able to access the type of education they truly deserve, tailored to their talents and abilities. Notably, Justin Jane school students achieve an average of 13.6 months of academic growth over a 9-month year.
ESAs can drive even more academic excellence.
Look no further than Braveheart Christian Academy (BCA) in Arlington to see how tailored education and mastery learning produce remarkable results. With individualized learning plans, BCA enables 90% of its students to close learning gaps within their first year, showing the power of personalized education. Meanwhile, programs like Leading Little Arrows in Irving, demonstrate how homeschool co-ops can create inclusive, nurturing environments that celebrate individuality while using dynamic, project-based learning to spark curiosity and growth. These models exemplify how ESAs can unlock access to diverse and high-performing educational options, empowering Tarrant County families to find the best fit for their child’s academic ambitions and needs.
To be crystal clear, many of our amazing Tarrant County public schools are also helping students succeed through academic rigor and even work-study opportunities. Fort Worth ISD’s award winning Trimble Tech provides 18 technical career tracks, seamless integration of career and technical education academics and extracurriculars and 90% of graduates pursue college degrees. At BASIS Benbrook, a public charter school, leadership combines high expectations with mastery-based learning to yield extraordinary results, like a 100% passing rate in state exams. And BASIS Texas schools consistently rank in the top 1% nationally. We should continue to support public school innovation like this.
But education is not a zero-sum game. Texas educates 10 percent of the nation’s children and meeting the sheer volume of needs demands both strong public schools and the flexibility of alternative options. School choice through ESAs does not diminish public education but acknowledges one size does not fit all when it comes to pursuing the best outcomes for our children. A thriving educational ecosystem includes high-performing public schools, charter schools, private options and specialized programs like homeschools and microschools, all working toward the shared goal of helping students reach their full potential.
Providing access to ESAs goes beyond education; it opens doors to opportunity, drives innovation and strengthens communities. Families in Tarrant County have already proven that educational choice enables students to succeed when given the right tools. Now is the time to remove barriers and build bridges so every child has the chance to shape their own future.
