Jillian Rae and House District 6 Representative, Republican Daniel Alders, discuss the impact of school choice legislation, exchanging insights on how the ACE Scholarship has shaped their educational paths. (Henry Selis)

Jillian Rae, a Tyler-area high school graduate, shared her experience with school choice before the Texas Legislature in Austin on Thursday.

“I urged the [representatives and senators] to prioritize students over systems and fight for policies that empower families to make the best decision for their children,” Jillian said.

Jillian is a recipient of an ACE Scholarship, which allowed her to attend private school from first grade through 12th grade. Her goal at the Texas State Capitol was to share her testimony about how school choice helped her access opportunities and shaped her educational path.

School vouchers, often referred to as “school choice” programs, use public funds to help families pay for their children’s private education, according to the Texas Tribune. Supporters say families should receive state support to send their child to a different school if public schools aren’t adequately serving them. Opponents worry a voucher program would strip vital funds away from already cash-strapped public schools.

Senate Bill 2 aims to establish an education savings account program. The proposal would provide $10,000 per student in taxpayer funds for private school tuition and related expenses, with $11,500 allocated for students with disabilities. Homeschooling families could receive at least $2,000 annually. The program would be open to public school students, public pre-K enrollees, and private school families. If demand exceeds funding, a lottery system would prioritize low-income students and those with disabilities.

The Texas Senate Education Committee voted to advance school voucher legislation to the full Senate after hearing hours of public testimony, according to the Associated Press.

ACE Scholarship provides children with equal access to quality education. Its mission is to advance K-12 educational freedom by securing financial support for families, allowing them to choose the best educational opportunities for their children.

Jillian’s parents explored funding options and academic scholarships to help afford private schooling, seeking opportunities that would provide a more comprehensive education.

Jillian, along with her brother, has attended private Christian school for their entire education, her mother Rebekah Rae said. It was important to them that their children had more interaction with teachers, the opportunity to pursue goals otherwise out of reach, and a Christian-based education.

As a single-income family, it takes a sacrifice to keep their children in private Christian school, but Rebekah views it as an investment in their future. She noted that families must weigh such sacrifices, explaining their family has never owned a home because they have prioritized their children’s education.

While financially investing in private school is a sacrifice, Rebekah said seeing their children succeed and achieve things they were unable to accomplish in their own education makes it worthwhile.

“You have to weigh those things out when you make that choice, but to see your kids have opportunities that might not have happened in a public school is something that is rewarding,” Rebekah said.

Jillian explained her experiences with school choice led her to the opportunity to be involved in the fight to maintain educational freedom. The ACE Scholarship made it possible for her to receive a strong academic foundation from elementary through high school.

School choice and access to private education benefited Jillian in many ways, accelerating her learning and offering valuable opportunities. These opportunities were made possible by her strong academic performance, leadership roles, and the connections she built within the school and community. She attributed her success to these experiences, including teachers who wrote recommendation letters, which helped her in various aspects of life, from securing jobs to fostering relationships.

She added that graduating from Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School, which partners with her current college, helped her secure a scholarship that allowed her to attend Tyler Junior College with two years of financial support. This opportunity has been a key part of her academic journey, and she described the experience as amazing.

For families considering school choice, Jillian emphasized that education can open doors to countless opportunities, and the value of a quality education should not be taken for granted.

“Quality education means so much to me, and it’s more than textbooks and tests,” Jillian said. “School choice is so important because it allows families to choose schools that meet their children’s needs and ensures every child, no matter their background, can access quality education.”

The school vouchers issue is expected to be one of the major battles between legislators this session.