Houston Takes the Lead in Texas' School Voucher Program
Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) is set to begin accepting applications on February 4, with a deadline of March 17. The program, supported by Governor Greg Abbott, has a cap of 90,000 students for the entire state.
Houston Leads the Way
Houston is at the forefront of this initiative, with 304 private schools and vendors already signed up to accept state funds as of January 16. This number surpasses the combined total of Dallas and San Antonio.
Andrew Campanella, President and CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, attributes Houston's lead to its long history of offering diverse education options.
Funding Details
The program provides varying amounts of funding:
- Up to $30,000 for students with disabilities
- Around $10,474 for most other students
Funds will be distributed through a lottery system, with priority given to low-income families and students with special needs.
Criticism and Concerns
Not everyone supports the program. Critics argue it will divert funds from public schools, which most Texas children attend. Democratic State Rep. Christina Morales worries that rural areas, with fewer private school options, will be left behind. She fears taxpayers in these regions may see their money going to big cities like Houston and Dallas instead.
How to Apply
Parents interested in the program should start preparing their documents early. Required materials include:
- Recent tax returns
- Child's academic records
