AUSTIN, Texas — State leaders are examining how other states are working to give parents more choice when it comes to picking a school.
Lawmakers have been at odds over creating school vouchers or scholarship tax credits.
The waivers would be issued to parents so they could apply to send their kids to a private or religious school. At a Senate Education hearing Wednesday, a Nevada lawmaker touted his plan. But it hasn't been implemented yet because it's hung up in the courts.
Melissa Bodenger is a mother of two, who would like to see a "school choice" bill succeed in Texas. Her son is in private school and her daughter goes to public school.
"She's thriving in the public school that she's in. It fits her needs, that school, which is the same one my son would go to, doesn't fit his needs," said Bodenger.
Bodenger 's son has autism and while her family is able to send him to private school, she wouldn't mind some financial help from the state for her son and other kids who need extra attention.
"Whether it be because of a disability or they're in a failing school, whatever their circumstance is, I think they should have the opportunity to find the right education for them so they can be the best they can be,” she said.
But getting a so-called "parental choice" bill passed in Texas hasn't been easy.
"We are against moving public funds out of the public system and into an unaccountable voucher program," said Monty Exter, an ATPE Lobbyist.
The Association of Texas Professional Educators is among the groups pushing back against school choice.
"There's no telling yet whether or not that bill is even going to be considered constitutional under Nevada law. How are you going to call a bill successful that has yet to serve a single individual?" said Exter.
Last session, a school choice bill did clear the Senate but it was unable to make it out of the House.