“Empowering parents" — it's the latest so-called "school choice" term that's been tossed around by top Texas Republicans during last year's election season, and now into the new legislative session.

Both Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signaled strong support for school vouchers in their inaugural speeches. That policy would allow public dollars to go to students attending private schools.

“I hope this is the session we join other 30 others states in giving rights to parents to choose the school of their choice," said Patrick, after being sworn in Tuesday.

Some Republicans are optimistic that discontent with public school pandemic rules and teachings on race and gender identity have pushed school choice support to an all-time high. But the proposal has historically been unpopular with rural communities, who have long rejected vouchers over concerns such a program would undermine their public schools.

“If the goal is to create an efficient system of public schools, I don’t really understand how dividing [funding] makes it more efficient,” said Bill Tarleton, executive director of the Texas Rural Education Association.

Republican leaders have promised to protect rural public schools in whatever legislation they might pass.