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.

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

The controversial legislation creates Education Savings Accounts, which will allow Texas parents to use public funds toward private education costs.