It’s back-to-school time in Texas, and kids are already benefiting from Texas’ historic rollout of Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA). According to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, over 85,000 students received TEFA funds this year, 80% of whom come from low-income backgrounds. In addition, 25% of the recipients reported a disability. Less than 30 students were approved from families making over $66,000 a year.
The funds proved lifechanging for parents like Christine Nuñez, whose daughter suffers from learning and speech delays. With their $11,000 in TEFA funds, they are able to offset the cost of the tailored education their daughter needs. Meanwhile, other families are able to access education options that align with their faith and values that they were not able to consider previously.
Parents are not the only ones breathing a sigh of relief this school year. Educators are overjoyed to be able to offer their services to more families, especially those that could not afford them last year. Dyslexia School of Houston Founder and CEO Tammy Spencer explained that more parents now have the resources required to get the care they need. She said the kids “are getting their dyslexia therapy they would be paying for after school in the school day,” thanks to school choice.
Governor Greg Abbott’s dream of launching the largest day-one school choice program in the nation is now a reality, with thousands of low-income families heading back to school this August with hope. With school choice, Texas is on the path to become number one in the nation for educating our children.
Demand for school choice was astronomical, with over 270,000 applications in the first application cycle, according to the Texas Comptroller. If you or your family missed the application period, Governor Abbott encourages you to apply next year to receive funds that can be used for textbooks, uniforms, tuition, travel costs, and so much more.
Get more details at https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/.