|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Texas extends voucher deadline as applications top 200,000
|
|
|
|
New updates from the state's Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program signal continued growth and added uncertainty for school districts.
According to the Texas Comptroller's office, applications have now surpassed 200,000 students statewide. You can see how many of those applications are from your district in the updated fact sheet here.
As many as half of the prekindergarten applications may not be eligible according to the Texas Comptroller’s office as reported by CBS News. Pre-K participants must meet the same requirements as public prekindergarten programs, meaning a significant portion of applicants may ultimately be deemed ineligible.
The Comptroller also announced that the application deadline has been extended to March 31. As reported by Houston Public Media and the Texas Tribune, this extension was ordered as part of a federal district court ruling related to a discrimination case filed by several Muslim families and Islamic private schools.
These developments add complexity for school districts as they plan for the upcoming school year. Higher than expected application volume and the extended deadlines will make it difficult to estimate enrollment and funding impacts, while a potential lottery process and legal considerations add further uncertainty.
These trends may also shape discussions in the upcoming legislative session. Perceptions of strong demand could prompt lawmakers to revisit funding levels or program design, while access and eligibility questions may lead to additional statutory or rule clarifications.
Reminder - TEFA Vendor Applications Now Open: As a reminder, vendor applications for the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program are now open. School districts may qualify to participate as approved vendors by offering eligible services. See the requirements to become a vendor here. Participation allows districts to generate revenue through services purchased by families but does not include ADA funding making this both a potential opportunity and a strategic consideration as the program moves forward. School districts can apply here.
|
|
What We're Watching:
- Bilingual Funding Shifts Raises Concern: Based on the most recent upload of 3rd Six Weeks attendance data into the SOF system, the bilingual education allotment is projected to decline by approximately $100 million statewide from 2024–25 to 2025–26. It appears this is largely due to increased use of the HB 2 alternative language method, which is capped and subject to proration, resulting in reduced funding even if student counts remain steady. Districts should review EB program coding, ADA by instructional method, and projected bilingual allotment revenue; for a snapshot, see your current SOF → Tier 1 Detail Report (Line 47) → Section 6: Bilingual Program.
|
|
Latest News & Guidance from TEA:
A C C O U N T A B I L I T Y
- Final A-F Accountability System Manual for 2027: TEA announced the release of the final A–F Accountability System Manual for 2027, providing districts earlier-than-usual clarity on how 2027 ratings will be calculated prior to the 2026–27 school year.
- 2027-2028 Student Assessment Calendar Released: TEA announced the release of the 2027–28 Student Assessment Testing Calendar.
- Updated 2028 A-F Accountability Rating System Framework: TEA announced an updated 2028 A–F Accountability System Framework, outlining proposed changes as part of the next five-year system refresh, which will take effect with 2028 ratings.
- Commissioner of Education Rule Updates-Accountability: TEA announced the adoption of amendments to 19 TAC §97.1001 (Accountability Rating System), formally codifying key components of the 2027 A–F Accountability Manual into rule, including provisions required under HB 6 (89th Legislature).The rule becomes effective March 29, 2026.
A D M I N I S T R A T I O N
- LIFT Program-Key Updates and Deadlines: Districts participating in LIFT should prioritize attending the required School System Kickoff on March 24, 2026 (2:00–4:00 PM) if they missed the February session. Districts are encouraged to use the Critical Actions Checklist along with the LIFT Resource Hub for planning and support. Contact the LIFT team at lift@tea.texas.gov with questions.
- Key Deadlines & Actions:
- March 24, 2026 - LIFT School System Kickoff
- March 31, 2026 - Deadline to order instructional materials in EMAT before system closure for annual maintenance
- April 1, 2026 - Deadline to select and contract with an Approved Provider
- April 2, 2026 - eGrants deadline (must accept or decline funding; no changes after)
- EMAT Updates and Reminders: TEA shared important updates and reminders regarding EMAT and instructional materials. Districts can access additional information and resources on the EMAT webpage.
- Key Deadlines & Actions:
- March 31, 2026 - EMAT closes for annual maintenance
- April 15, 2026 - Final deadline to submit Bluebonnet Learning requisitions
- May 1, 2026 - Recommended deadline to complete Certification prework and survey
- May 15, 2026 - EMAT reopens
- Principal and Teacher EPP Evaluation - Action Required: TEA announced that principal and first-year teacher evaluations of Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) will be conducted April 1–June 15, 2026. Districts should ensure principal rosters are verified in AskTED and first-year teachers have updated email addresses in ECOS to receive the required surveys.
A C A D E M I C S
- Commissioner of Education Rule Updates-Computation of GPA: TEA announced a proposed new rule under 19 TAC §74.3001 (Computation of High School Grade Point Average) to implement SB 1191 (89th Legislature). Public comment period is open March 20–April 20, 2026, with a proposed effective date of July 12, 2026.
F I N A N C E
- TAA Follow-Up: Property Values and Frozen Levy Hold Harmless Methodology: TEA released a TAA last Friday as a follow-up to its March 6, 2026 communication, providing additional detail on the updated methodology for property value data and the frozen levy hold harmless calculation. Districts should review updated SOF reports for accuracy, specifically the “Additional State Aid for Adjustment of Limitation on Tax Increases on Homestead of Elderly or Disabled (TEC 48.2542) Detail Report.” As a reminder, we provided a detailed breakdown of this update in a separate TSPN Newsletter released March 13, 2026.
|
|
Other News & Guidance:
- Federal Mental Health Funds for Schools: A federal court has blocked the U.S. Department of Education from canceling certain school mental health grants, keeping funding in place for now while requiring the agency to revisit its decision. Texas was not part of the lawsuit, but the outcome may still affect federal funding and guidance for districts statewide.
- Federal Court Blocks Ten Commandments Law: A federal judge has blocked an Arkansas law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments, finding it unconstitutional under the First Amendment. While the ruling applies to Arkansas, similar legislation in Texas is currently under legal challenge.
|
|
|
Your Texas School Policy Network Team
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
