Texas Republicans are pushing for school choice, which has created a divide within the party. While Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R) champion the effort, some conservative voices, including Dallas County Republican Party Chairman Allen West (R), are pushing back.
In a recent op-ed, West criticized Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), the Texas Senate's school choice bill, arguing it does not align with the Texas Republican Party platform.
Chair West argues that the bill imposes government control over parental choices by requiring pre-approval of education providers. Instead, he prefers a tax credit-based system that would allow parents to claim education expenses without state oversight.
"The Texas State Senate has passed SB 2. The Texas State House says they will pass school choice. But how does the Republican Party of Texas define this?" Chair West questioned.
He pointed to the Texas GOP's 2024 platform, which advocates for education funding to "follow the student with no strings attached" and opposes state regulations on private and religious schools.
Chair West, a former U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and one-time high school teacher, called the the concern a civil rights issue. He emphasized that parents already have the right to choose where their children are educated, recalling his own experience attending private Catholic schools in his youth.
His concerns extend beyond school choice to broader issues in Texas education.
Chair West criticized the Texas Education Agency and raised alarm over a recent teacher certification scandal. He also endorsed the “Troops to Teachers” program, which recruits retired military personnel to become educators.
SB 2 is expected to advance in the Texas House, but the debate over school choice highlights a rift within the Texas GOP. While Governor Abbott and Lt. Governor Patrick push for vouchers, Republicans like Chair West warn against government interference, arguing for a system that prioritizes “educational freedom” over legislative mandates.
