Gov. Greg Abbott has signed the $1 billion controversial school choice bill into law, allowing for taxpayer money to be used to help qualifying students pay for private school tuition. "Today is the culmination of a movement that has swept across the state and our country," Abbott said Saturday.

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on May 3 signed a school choice bill into law, allocating $1 billion for about 100,000 students to use for alternative schooling tuition or other educational purposes. The money can be used to pay for textbooks, academic tests, transportation to school, computers and meals during the school day.

Republican lawmakers and supporters say it will let parents pull their children out of poor-performing public schools.