Texas Education Shift: $1 Billion Voucher Program Faces Democratic Scrutiny
New state leadership threatens changes to standardized testing, state takeovers, and school funding following a major electoral sweep.
By Robert Marshall ·
Gina Hinojosa, the newly elected Texas governor, has pledged to reverse years of Republican-led education policies on her first day in office. Her primary targets include the elimination of state takeovers of local school districts, the removal of Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath, and the potential end of a $1 billion school voucher program. Hinojosa, who became the first Democrat to win the governorship since 1990, campaigned on a platform of returning control to local communities.
The political landscape in Texas has shifted dramatically following the recent elections. Democrats secured the governor’s mansion, the attorney general’s office, and a majority in the state House. This control allows Hinojosa and Lieutenant Governor Vikki Goodwin to advance an agenda that was previously blocked by Republican dominance. However, the state Senate remains under Republican control, giving that chamber the power to approve or reject Hinojosa’s appointees and influence key legislation.
Hinojosa’s first executive action will be the removal of Mike Morath from his role as TEA commissioner. Morath’s current term expires in January, the same month Hinojosa is sworn in. She must nominate a replacement who can secure two-thirds approval from the Texas Senate. If the Senate rejects her choice, the position may remain vacant until the next session, or she may appoint someone during the recess.
The state takeover of school districts is another major point of contention. Since 2023, Morath has replaced superintendents and appointed managers in seven districts, including Fort Worth and Houston. These districts had campuses that earned five consecutive academically unacceptable ratings. Hinojosa pledged to stop new takeovers and potentially remove appointed managers from districts currently under state control. A new commissioner would have the authority to determine when elected trustees can transition back to their roles.
Standardized testing is also under review. Hinojosa has vowed to eliminate the STAAR exams and similar assessments. Currently, students in grades 3 through 8 take annual math and reading tests, while high school students take end-of-course exams in subjects like algebra and biology. A new testing tool called the Student Success Tool was set to begin next school year. Hinojosa opposes this tool, but she requires legislative action to modify the existing state law. Federal law under the Every Student Succeeds Act still requires annual testing in reading and math for specific grades.
The State Board of Education is also undergoing a change in leadership. Republicans held an 11-4 supermajority before the election, using that power to mandate Bible readings in public schools and alter social studies lessons. Democrats have now won at least four seats, with one race decided by fewer than 600 votes. This shift reduces Republican control over curriculum standards and charter school approvals. Hinojosa will have the power to appoint a new board chair, subject to Senate approval.
The $1 billion school voucher program faces its largest threat yet. The program provides approximately $10,500 annually to families enrolled in private schools and up to $2,000 to home-schoolers. Incumbent Comptroller Don Huffines, who sought to double the funding to over $2 billion, lost his seat to Democrat Sarah Eckhardt. Eckhardt has stated she wants to audit the program. Hinojosa can use her line-item veto power to remove voucher funding from the state budget, though a two-thirds majority in both legislative chambers could override such a veto.
The changes promised by the new administration will require coordination between the executive branch and the legislature. While Hinojosa can remove specific officials, she cannot unilaterally change state laws governing takeovers, testing, or funding. The upcoming legislative session will determine the scope of these reforms. For millions of Texas students, the next few months will define the direction of their public education system.
