Texas almost approved a school voucher program in the 1950s – to avoid desegregation.

Republican lawmakers in Texas have made school vouchers a priority during the most recent legislative session, and their prize bill will likely cross a pivotal hurdle next week.

On Monday, May 15, the Senate Education Committee will discuss passing Senate bill 8 on to the full chamber for a vote. The bill would essentially allow families to use public funds for private school tuition.

Controversial since their inception, school vouchers have been around in the U.S. since at least the 1950s, when Southern states used them as a tool to circumvent desegregation.

To view the full story, visit https://www.tpr.org/education/2023-05-11/texas-almost-approved-a-school-voucher-program-in-the-1950s-to-avoid-desegregation