A release from acting comptroller Kelly Hancock announced the first round of awards for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA). The release states more than 42,600 Texas students are receiving the first round of awards under the State’s new school choice program.
The comptroller’s office said Tuesday that these families will receive award notices this week, including all students in the top priority: students with disabilities who are at or below 500% of the federal poverty line, or $165,000 for a family of four. Qualified siblings are also in this priority group.
“The Legislature made low- and middle-income students with disabilities the first priority for the first year of school choice here in Texas, and that is exactly where this process starts,” said Hancock in a release.
Who is getting the first awards, and where do they plan to go?
A state fact sheet shows more than 42,000 applications in the top tier.
63% of applicants are students with documented disabilities
37% are siblings of students with disabilities.
53% previously attended public school, while 47% were in private or home school
Most families plan to use the funds for private education.
74% say they are planning to enroll in a private school.
26% say they are considering homeschooling or other options.
Income breakdown:
The program is designed to favor lower and middle-income families.
51% of applicants come from households that fall at or below 200% of the federal poverty level
49% fall between 200% and 500% of the poverty level
Racial and demographic breakdown:
State data shows a diverse group of applicants:
42% White
25% Hispanic
16% Black
12% multiracial
Smaller percentages of Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian students
North Texas applications
North Texas school districts are among the highest in the state for applications, underscoring strong regional demand. Data released from the comptroller’s office breaks down applications by district:
Dallas ISD: 1,313 applications
Fort Worth ISD: 808 applications
Plano ISD: 702 applications
Arlington ISD: 515 applications
Denton ISD: 429 applications
Garland ISD: 414 applications
Mansfield ISD: 389 applications
Frisco ISD: 384 applications
McKinney ISD: 284 applications
Irving ISD: 218 applications
Mesquite ISD: 210 applications
Prosper ISD: 212 applications
Rockwall ISD: 206 applications
Dallas ISD ranks second statewide, behind Houston ISD, for total applications.
Initial award notifications began today and will continue through Friday, April 24. Parents can appeal funding determinations within 30 days of receiving their notice. Though the comptroller’s office warns that changes will only be made based on school district and Individualized Education Plan documentation.
Additional families will receive TEFA notifications in the weeks ahead.
The comptroller’s office says it will conduct a lottery in partnership with an independent agency during the week of April 27 to identify students in the second priority tier. The second priority tier is students who are from lower-income households.
The lottery will then assign waitlist positions to the remaining students.
The comptroller’s office stated students will have until July 15 to confirm enrollment in a participating school.