Texas Educational Agency to Host Informational Sessions for School Voucher-Style Program
The Texas Educational Agency will host two informational sessions in North Texas to guide parents applying for Texas’ school voucher-style program, set to launch in the 2026-27 school year.
Gov. Greg Abbott signed the $1 billion program into law in May. At seven meetings scheduled so far across the state, TEA representatives will share information about the Texas Education Freedom Accounts and help families with applications and feature local schools.
How the Program Works
Families can start applying on Feb. 4 to receive an education savings account. Parents can receive about $10,500 to fund their child’s private schooling, or up to $2,000 to support homeschooling or for non-public school educational expenses. Families of a student with disabilities may receive up to $30,000.
As of January, more than 1,100 private schools have signed up to accept ESA funds, including more than 300 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to a map released by the state comptroller’s office.
Upcoming Informational Sessions
The Dallas meeting will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Shops at RedBird, 3662 West Camp Wisdom Road. The link to RSVP is here.
Fort Worth will also host a session at the McFadden Science Center, 3101-3199 East Rosedale Street, Fort Worth. The meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31. The link to RSVP is here.
The other five meetings are in:
- San Antonio: Antonian College Preparatory High School, 1-3 p.m., Feb. 1.
- McAllen: McAllen Convention Center, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 7.
- Lubbock: Science Spectrum & OMNI Theater, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 14.
- Houston: Freed Community Center, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 21.
- Tyler: The Discovery Science Place, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 27.
Weather Update
The session in San Antonio was originally scheduled for Friday but was moved to Feb. 1. Unusual and extreme cold is sweeping across Texas this weekend, bringing snow, sleet, and rain to North Texas.
About the DMN Education Lab
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron and Phyllis Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
Conclusion
The Texas Educational Agency’s informational sessions will provide valuable information and guidance to parents applying for the school voucher-style program. With over 1,100 private schools already signed up to accept ESA funds, this program has the potential to make a significant impact on education in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Texas Education Freedom Accounts:
- Q: What is the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program?
A: The Texas Education Freedom Accounts program is a school voucher-style program that provides funding for families to send their children to private schools or support homeschooling and non-public school educational expenses.
- Q: How much funding can families receive?
A: Families can receive up to $10,500 to fund their child’s private schooling, or up to $2,000 to support homeschooling or for non-public school educational expenses. Families of a student with disabilities may receive up to $30,000.
- Q: How can I apply for the program?
A: Families can start applying on Feb. 4 to receive an education savings account. TEA representatives will be available to help with applications at the informational sessions.
