LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A long-sought school voucher program is finally open for Texas families. Parents can now apply for Texas Education Freedom Accounts, also referred to as school vouchers or education savings accounts.
Texas lawmakers set aside $1 billion in taxpayer funds this session to fund the accounts. Qualifying families can receive around $10,000 per student, per school year.
If the number of applications exceeds the amount the state can afford, families who fall below the federal poverty line and students with disabilities will be prioritized – though they’re not guaranteed approval.
The money can be used to pay for private school tuition from Pre-K to high school. It can also be used to pay for transportation and other approved educational expenses.
Maegan Messick, the owner of Tiny Tots U in Lubbock, says the inclusion of Pre-K and other early childhood education institutions is critical for families across the state.
“It’s the foundation for kids and their education journey,” Messick said. “It’s very important that we get time with them to prepare them emotionally, socially and just get them kindergarten ready.”
Messick concedes that private early childhood education is costly. Tiny Tots U charges $220 a week for infants, and $175 a week for older kids.
“We are a four-star center; we go through the Texas Rising Star which means we’re the highest accredited center you can be. The cost is reflective of the quality,” Messick said.
That doesn’t mean Tiny Tots U doesn’t offer help for families in need. The learning center has started offering half-days to help families cut costs, and it accepts children who qualify for federal financial aid.
“It is definitely hard because we have to charge what we charge to pay our staff and running childcare is expensive. There are a lot of overhead costs involved,” Messick said.
Parents can already get financial aid through the Texas Child Care and Development Fund, as well as the federal Head Start program, but Messick says the wait lists can be prohibitive for families in need. That’s why she’s hopeful the Education Freedom Accounts will prove beneficial.
“Up to two years some families have waited to get on that, so it’s very difficult for them to get assistance,” Messick said. “This will just open it up for more families to get their kids in a quality program.”
It will also help private childcare businesses like Tiny Tots U, which lose out on enrollment when families opt into free, public Pre-K instead.
Messick says it can take her through the new year to recover from losses following a graduating class and a lack of enrollment.
Texas Education Freedom Account Eligibility for Pre-K:
A participating child between the ages of 3-5 is eligible for enrollment in a pre-k or kindergarten program under this section if the child is at least three years of age and:
is unable to speak and comprehend the English language;
is eligible to participate in the national free or reduced-price lunch program;
is homeless, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child’s guardian or other person having lawful control of the child;
is the child of an active-duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority;
is the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty;
is, or ever has been, in: the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code; or foster care in another state or territory, if the child resides in this state;
is the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as: a peace officer under Section 3106.002, Government Code; a firefighter under Section 3106.003, Government Code; or an emergency medical first responder under Section 3106.004, Government Code; or is the child of a person employed as a classroom teacher at a public primary or secondary school in the school district that offers a pre-k or kindergarten class under this section.
Source: https://educationfreedom.texas.gov/
Applications for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts close at 11:59 p.m. March 17. Applications will not be approved on a first come, first served basis.
You can find the link to the application and additional eligibility requirements here.
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