AUSTIN -- Some disadvantaged students in Houston and five other large urban school districts could qualify for state-paid vouchers to attend private schools under a bill prefiled by Rep. Ron Wilson. The Houston Democrat has been promoting school vouchers for a decade. He believes there is a better chance such legislation could be passed next year. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that sending tax dollars to religious schools does not violate the separation of church and state. "There is no more constitutional impediment," said Wilson. "They can't hide behind that tree any more." Wilson believes a voucher bill will reach the House floor next session. The last time the House debated vouchers was in 1997, when a floor amendment proposed by Wilson failed on a 68-68 vote. The bill Wilson prefiled Monday would make vouchers available to children who qualify for reduced-price or free lunches, and who fail a portion of the state assessment test or who are attending a low-performing school and have had an application to transfer to another public school rejected. The school district would pay the average funding per student -- estimated to be $4,700 to $5,700 depending on the district -- to the private school. A private school that accepts state money would have to be accredited by a private organization recognized by the state education commissioner. Students attending private schools with state vouchers would have to take the new Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. Teachers groups and advocates of public education expressed opposition to the bill. "This would drain the lifeblood out of our educational system," said Sheila Fields, a second-grade teacher from Bryan who serves as president of the Association of Texas Professional Educators. "This is the first of many attempts we will see to take public money out of our public schools and infuse it into the private sector," said Brock Gregg, director of governmental relations for ATPE. Carolyn Boyle, coordinator of The Coalition for Public Schools, said the state's experience with charter schools should cause lawmakers to be hesitant about sending tax dollars to schools not regulated by the state. Poor student test performance and fiscal mismanagement have been a continuing problem with many charter schools. "If legislators haven't learned lessons from charter schools and want to turn over millions of dollars to voucher schools, then shame on them," said Boyle. Wilson said he thinks it's unfair to dismiss vouchers as a bad idea without having a pilot program to see if children would benefit. "I'm not saying a voucher program will be a panacea," said Wilson. "But I think it is one approach we at least ought to give a chance and see how it works." Chris Patterson, director of education research for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, praised Wilson for initiating the debate about school choice. The foundation is a longtime advocate of vouchers. "Congratulations to Representative Wilson for boldly bringing forward a solution to thousands of children that are in failing schools," said Patterson. Patterson said a voucher pilot program should not be judged by the success or lack of success of charter schools. She said most private schools have a record of achievement that can be examined. New private schools that might form to meet the demand likely would be operated by churches or entities that have experience running schools, Patterson said. Patterson said she would prefer that private schools be allowed to test voucher students either with the state assessment or a recognized national standardized test.