Odyssey Takes on Texas’ $1 B School‑Choice Project
Odyssey Secures Texas’ Largest Education Savings Account Contract
Odyssey, a tech startup founded in 2021 by former teacher‑lawyer Joseph Connor, has landed Texas’ biggest education savings account contract. The state will award the company a two‑year, $26 million deal to run its TEFA program, which will give about 110,000 families a voucher‑style budget to spend on private or home schooling.
Key Responsibilities
- Process applications
- Pay vendors
- Operate a shopping website
- Keep parents informed
The contract also sets strict service targets:
- 95 % of calls answered within 90 seconds
- Most complaints resolved in a month
Failure to meet these benchmarks will allow Texas to cut Odyssey’s pay.
Past Performance
| State | Program Size | Issues | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | $30 million | Unusual purchases (gift cards, gun holsters) → audit → returned ~$500k | Vendor switched |
| Iowa | $330 million projected for next year | Audit flagged potential fee increase of nearly $1 million by 2027 | Ongoing scrutiny |
Despite these hiccups, Odyssey has secured contracts in eight states and raised capital from major venture firms such as Andreessen Horowitz. The company enjoys support from high‑profile school‑choice advocates and was a finalist for the Yass Prize in 2023.
Looking Ahead
Texas will monitor Odyssey closely to see whether it can avoid past mistakes and deliver a smooth experience for parents who rely on taxpayer dollars to expand educational options.
