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Comptroller publishes list of private schools accepting new Texas Education Freedom Account vouchers
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The Comptroller's website for the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) voucher program has been updated to include a list of private schools that have been approved for participation. There are over 1,500 preK-12 providers selected from across the state of Texas. The application form for parents to use the voucher for the 2026-2027 school year will open this Wednesday, February 4 and close on March 17, 2026. They will be notified of their funding status beginning in April.
Impacts on public schools
Other education service providers and vendors may apply to be included on the approved list. This includes school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. Approved expenses include fees for classes provided by school districts, as long as the classes do not qualify the child to be included in the school's average daily attendance. For example, a district may have a program that provides training for an industry-based credential approved by the Texas Education Agency. TEFA funds may also pay for:
- Academic assessment costs
- Private tutoring
- Transportation to/from approved providers
- Educational therapies not covered by any federal, state, or local government benefits (e.g. behavioral therapy, physical therapy)
The full list of list of approved expenses can be found in the final rules.
Currently, only vendors approved by TEA through the Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program have been invited to apply as TEFA providers. The Comptroller's office has said that the application will open up for all other providers and vendors in the next few weeks.
Until then, TEA has outlined the current impacts of the TEFA voucher program on public schools, regarding special education evaluations:
- Districts will receive $1,000 per initial special education evaluation completed for any student, including those not in public school. Districts will also need to complete the ARD committee process for these students and upload the child's IEP in the APEX-ESA system.
- The district of residence or the district of the private school is required to perform the evaluation if a parent requests one.
- If a child has been evaluated in the last 3 years and has not been exited from eligibility for services through an ARD, then the school district is NOT required to perform the requested evaluation. In this case, the student's eligibility for special education services will be provided to the Comptroller's office by TEA.
In addition to the TEFA website, TEA is maintaining an SB 2 guidance document for school districts. As always, please send any questions you may have to tspn@moakcasey.com.
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Your Texas School Policy Network Team
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