By Sohaib Shams
Texas has begun distributing $1 billion in public funding that eligible families can use for private education expenses, part of a wave of similar programs approved by Republican-led legislatures across the country over the past six years. The expansion means roughly half of school-age children in the United States are now eligible to apply for state money to attend private schools, most of which are religious. The shift fulfills a long-standing goal for Christian conservatives but raises concerns about church-state separation and the potential drain on public schools.
Conservative Coalition Aims to Create 5,000 Schools
The Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) has formed a coalition with groups including Turning Point Education and the Heritage Foundation, aiming to convert or create 5,000 new classical Christian schools enrolling 1.5 million students nationwide within a decade. ACCS President David Goodwin said the unprecedented availability of public funding makes the ambitious target feasible. The network's annual conference in Atlanta buzzed with talk of the historic funding shift, which leaders see as a chance to reshape the education landscape.
Battle for the American School
ACCS calls its campaign the "Battle for the American School," echoing a 2022 book co-written by Goodwin and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who sent his children to ACCS schools. The classical Christian model emphasizes a liberal arts curriculum rooted in Western Christian history, virtue, and a biblical worldview, drawing on ancient and medieval sources. Hegseth remains a booster; the Pentagon recently introduced a form of classical education into schools on military bases.
Controversial Founder and Curriculum
The network's founder, Idaho pastor Doug Wilson, is a self-described Christian nationalist who has advocated for the repeal of women's voting rights and made inflammatory statements about homosexuality and Islam. While ACCS distances itself from Wilson's most fringe views, his books remain required reading in some schools, and he still advises the board. Several families have left ACCS-affiliated schools over concerns about Wilson's influence and patriarchal teachings.
Taxpayer Money Transforms Access
Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) now provide at least $10,474 per eligible student, covering average tuition at schools like Coram Deo Academy, where more than 360 of 2,000 students have been approved for funds. The program prioritizes low-income families and those with disabilities but extends to households earning up to $165,000. For administrators like Keith Castello, who is launching three new Kyrie Christian Academy campuses, the influx of taxpayer money "completely transforms the possibility" of expanding access to Christian education. At one startup, 22 of 25 students are using TEFA funds.
Blurring Public-Private Lines
Critics argue the programs divert resources from public schools, which serve students of all backgrounds. Castello counters that private-school parents still pay taxes supporting public education, though he views public schools as "secular humanist." He predicts Texas will increase funding for education savings accounts, a prospect that may depend on the outcome of the November governor's race. A new federal tax credit for private schools could further blur the line between public and private education.
