(The Center Square) – Texas has broken a national record with more than 100,000 students applying to a new school choice program in less than two weeks.
The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) launched on Feb. 4 with 20,000 students applying by noon. By that same night, more than 35,000 applications had been received. By the following morning, the number topped 42,000, a nationwide record for the most enrollments on the first day of a new school choice program.
This total surpassed the previous national record when 33,000 Tennessee students applied on the first day of its first school choice program launch, The Center Square reported. Twelve days later, more than 100,000 students have applied.
The rollout of TEFA is the largest launch of a new school choice program in the country’s history, Gov. Greg Abbott said. The record number of applications “proves that families overwhelmingly want school choice,” he said in a statement. “Through this program, families will receive funds to send their children to a school that is the best fit for them. Texas families are now more in control of their child’s academic success, regardless of their location or income.”
Administered by the Texas Comptroller’s Office under Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, the TEFA program will disburses $10,000 Education Savings Account grants to roughly 100,000 students. ESA funds are available for private school tuition, educational expenses for homeschoolers, tutoring, career and technical education programs, among other expenses.
Two-thirds of those who applied on the first day meet the criteria established by law to receive prioritized consideration based on need. They are among economically disadvantaged families, the comptroller’s office said.
Since then, the comptroller’s office published a fact sheet showing the economic diversity of applicants: 7 in 10 are from low-or middle-income households.
The application process is ongoing through March 17. Applications are being evaluated based on financial need, not on a first come first served basis. “The timing of a family’s application has no bearing on their position in the lottery,” Hancock said. If the number of applications exceeds available funding, funds will be allocated through a lottery that prioritizes disabled and low-income students in accordance with the new law.
The Comptroller’s office has published an application checklist, a detailed guide and a video walk-through for families seeking to apply. More information about TEFA, including a list of participating schools, can be found at educationfreedom.texas.gov.
“Our office is moving at business speed to deliver a user-friendly experience for every family who wants to participate,” Hancock said. “We are committed to implementing this program responsibly and transparently so families across Texas can take full advantage of the opportunities ahead.
“We want every eligible Texas family to know this program is built for them. The application is simple, mobile-friendly and takes just minutes to complete. This is about putting parents in the driver’s seat and giving every child the chance to learn in the environment that fits them best.”
