Gov. Abbott announces 'school choice,' education special session to start Oct. 9 [View all]

The long-rumored third special session, which lawmakers and political observers expect will focus on schools, will begin Oct. 9, according to a letter from Gov. Greg Abbott.

The Sept. 26 letter, circulated by reporters on social media Friday night, informed Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick − who runs the Texas Senate − and House Speaker Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, to prepare lawmakers for a 1 p.m. start Oct. 9.

The highly anticipated session is expected to cover "school choice" or vouchers, a program that uses state money to pay for part of a child's private school education in K-12 schools. The issue has become highly volatile and in the regular spring legislative session divided the Texas House and Senate.

While supporters of school choice say it provides opportunities to students who can't afford private school, opponents worry such a program would divert money and drain resources from public school districts.

Read more: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2023/09/29/gov-greg-abbott-signals-school-choice-special-session-to-start-oct-9/71008531007/