New dashboard shows how Texas school vouchers are being distributed

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Texas Comptroller launched a new dashboard Thursday aimed at providing transparency on how money is being distributed through Texas Education Savings Accounts, commonly known as vouchers.

The Houston Chronicle has reported that more than $270 million in taxpayer dollars have been spent through the program so far. The new dashboard offers a breakdown of who is receiving that money, though it does not show how families are spending it.

The new data show that more than half of the 111,295 students who received vouchers fall into Tier 2 of the program. Tier 2 covers low-income families, which the state defines as a family of four making about $66,000 a year or less.

Tier 1 is a student with a documented disability who is low- or middle-income.

Tier 3 is a student from a middle-income family, which is a family of four making up to $165,000 annually.

The dashboard does not show whether those middle-income families are making closer to $66,000 or $165,000 a year.

Pre-K students were most likely to get vouchers. 23,732 pre-K students were awarded vouchers, but the dashboard does not show what kinds of programs the money is being used to enroll them in.

Nearly 83% of students receiving a voucher were not in public school last year. Only 17% of participating students between second and 12th grade were in public school the prior year.

This data point stands out because the program was sold to the public as a way for families who would not otherwise be able to afford private school to afford it.

Houston ISD, the largest school district by enrollment in the state, had the most students apply for and receive vouchers.

12,411 students living within HISD's boundaries applied for vouchers and 4,020 were funded.

Dallas ISD came in second with 8,540 students living within DISD's boundaries applying and 3,149 students being funded.

Fort Bend ISD and Northside ISD (Bexar County) traded between each other for third and fourth place.

8,423 students living in FBISD boundaries applied, and 2,592 were funded.

7,334 students within Northside ISD boundaries applied, and 3,074 were funded.

Students in some of the wealthiest tiers, families of four making more than $165,000 a year, did receive vouchers, but those students had qualifying disabilities according to the Comptroller. Overall, 17% of all voucher students have a disability. The dashboard does not break down what programs, therapies, or schools that money is being spent on.

The state has previously said it is withholding the information that shows how families are spending the money they are given to protect children's privacy. Opponents say the information should be public to keep the spending honest.

The dashboard also does not give details on the 33,878 students who were found to be eligible for vouchers but opted out of the program.