Texas Education Freedom Accounts Application Open Feb 4-Match 17th
Like it or not, the education voucher system other states warned Texas not to adopt has made its way here. The official name for this system: Texas Education Freedom Accounts. (There is a prize for the person who can find the most dog whistles on their website, email me with citations)
As eager as I might be to go on and on about why no one ever wanted these accounts, (except for Texas billionaires with special interest in profiting off the private schools and families with children already attending private school that will feel this as a tax break-I’ll stop here), let’s get on to the details about how this system is actually starting to playout and the concerns disability attorneys and advocates have for students with disabilities.
DETAILS ABOUT APPLICATION AND FUNDS
This program is run by the Texas Comptroller, currently Kelly Hancock, put into place by SB2 in the spring of 2025.
Application opens February 4th, 2026 and closes March 17th, 2026 (there is no priority for applying early, so no rush)
All Texas Pre-K-12 students can apply for an account
Any student enrolled in public school
Any student enrolled in private school
Any student participating in a homeschool program
Students in Pre-K programs will only receive 85% of the statewide average
Base voucher is set for $10,474 per student or students with disabilities could receive up to $30,000 and homeschool families can qualify for $2,000
There is an additional 2-page form to submit for students with disabilities where some disabilities require a doctor’s signature and current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if a student already has one in public school
Funding Status will be awarded in April 2026
IF AWARDED FUNDING
If a student is approved for an account and they are enrolled in public school, the student will have to apply for a seat at a private school and the private school will have the ultimate choice to approve or deny applicants. Families will be required to provide approval for private school enrollment to the state as well as disenroll from public school before funds can be put into an approved account. Private schools are not required to follow any protections in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Therefore, when families with students with disabilities choose to accept funds in a Freedom Account and leave public school, they will also be denied their access to the protections of IDEA. This bill was passed under the marketing of increasing parent choice, but many warned how ultimately the private school has the choice. Sneaky phrases like "We reserve the right to disenroll students for any reason" protect private schools legally in denying disabled students access to education.
TIMELINE FOR FUNDS
Initial deposits into approved accounts are expected July 1st, 2026 at 25% of the funds approved. Students can no longer be enrolled in public school and must have approved private school enrollment. Curious about the options near you? Find a school or tutoring services on the website here.
October 1st up to 50% of funds will be released with all funds released by April 2nd. Just a recap that most students will receive $10,474
From the comptroller's website:
“Tuition and fees at a private school, higher education provider, online educational course or program, or program that provides training for an industry-based credential approved by the Texas Education Agency.
Textbooks or other instructional materials.
Required uniforms.
Fees for classes provided by school districts that do not qualify the child to be included in school’s average daily attendance.
Academic assessment costs.
Private tutoring.
Transportation to/from approved providers.
Educational therapies not covered by any federal, state, or local government benefits (i.e, Medicaid).
Computer hardware or software (must not exceed 10 percent of the total amount transferred to the child’s account that year).
Meals provided by private schools.”
DISCUSSIONS AND CONCERNS
Attorneys and educational advocates are warning that although this voucher system appears to offer students with disabilities more funding, it does not explicitly protect the rights of students with disabilities. Arguably even the protections of IDEA need to be more specific on terms like “appropriate” to better protect disabled students. So ask yourself, if students with protections are denied their right to a free and appropriate education, what will happen to students who no longer have those protections?
Even though parents will be submitting an IEP if their student currently has one, the child will not be given an IEP at their private school. Some private schools do create a plan, but it is not equivalent protection or accountability compared to the IEP public schools create. Private schools are not required to support students with Specially Designed Instruction nor progress monitoring of goals to ensure annual growth. And again, private schools are allowed to deny any student for any reason.
Experts warn that voucher programs in other states are used mostly by families already enrolled in private school. For the public school students who do leave to attend private school, the family will most likely face a higher tuition cost than the provided voucher (the average cost of private school tuition in DFW is about $27,000 annually). Secondly, for every student who disenrolls, our public schools lose funding for that student. Back in April 2025, when advocates were fighting for this bill not to pass, it was estimated that Lewisville ISD could be drained of millions in funding. Then the individual choice to benefit one learner in an exclusive environment begins to destabilize the system that works to serve any and all students.
CRUISE CAPABILITIES THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS
For this reason, Cruise Capabilities has opted out of being a vendor for this system. As an advocate for public schools, I cannot in good faith participate in accepting funds from a system that will cause harm to Texas Public Schools.
I respect any family that needs to make the choice to leave public school because needs are not being met, there is a lack of collaboration or the worst case that harm is being done. Your child’s education is a personal and individualized choice. I believe in holding the public school system accountable to doing what is best for students and working towards a tomorrow where all students can access meaningful education. We cannot make the public school system better without exploring the ways it needs to be radicalized.
Ultimately, I hope that families and children get higher quality education that is equitable for all. There is little evidence to predict that these vouchers will make education equitable, inclusive or accessible. There is evidence from other states that this program is likely to cause more harm than good especially to marginalized communities.
If you find that you are mostly satisfied with your public school, STAY! Attend school board meetings to address concerns. Join the PTA and volunteer on your learner’s campus if possible. MAKE SURE TO VOTE for candidates that actually support public school. Remember that parent choice really is the private school’s choice, especially for students with disabilities. To learn more about efforts to support public schools check out Raise Your Hand Texas, TOPPA and AFT.
Stay educated,
