Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock visited San Jacinto Christian Academy in Amarillo on Wednesday, Oct. 8 to promote the state’s new Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, which he said will give families greater flexibility in choosing how and where their children are educated.
The initiative, set to launch for the 2026-27 school year, will allow parents to use state funds — approximately $10,800 per student annually (85% of the statewide average public school funding), or up to $30,000 for students with disabilities — for private schooling, homeschooling, tutoring, or other educational services. Hancock described it as a way to empower families without diverting money from public schools, emphasizing its potential to serve up to 100,000 students in the pilot phase.
“This provides an opportunity for families to choose an education that’s best for their child,” Hancock said. “It’s a new opportunity for Texans to access education in a unique way.”
Background on the legislation
The Education Freedom Accounts were approved during the 89th legislative session following years of debate over school choice in Texas. The measure was one of Gov. Greg Abbott’s top priorities and drew strong opposition from public education advocates who argued it could strain public school resources despite separate funding streams…