Texas Comptroller Don Huffines is asking state lawmakers to more than double funding for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program as demand for the state's private school and home-school funding program continues to outpace available money.
In his appropriations request for the 2028-29 biennium, Huffines requested an additional $1 billion in base funding for the program, which launched this school year with spending capped at $1 billion for the 2026-27 biennium.
He also requested another $226 million to cover potential funding increases for families already participating in the program, including students with disabilities who could become eligible for larger awards.
If approved by lawmakers, the requests would push funding for the program above $2 billion.
Nearly 110,000 students have received funding through the program so far, while more than 106,000 families remain on the waitlist, according to the comptroller's budget request.
“The Comptroller’s Office expects that the interest list will only grow larger as the state continues to promote the program and participating families communicate positive experiences to others in their communities,” the request states. “The state has a moral imperative to serve these children.”
Teachers association opposes funding increase
The Texas State Teachers Association criticized the proposal Thursday, arguing that lawmakers need more information about who is receiving the money before substantially increasing the program's cost.
Recent state data shows 70% of families that have joined the program or have pending invitations were already sending their children to private schools or home-schooling them.
“Many school districts have been forced to close campuses or eliminate programs to tackle budget deficits,” the association said in a statement. “We can’t afford to keep draining increasing amounts of tax dollars from these public schools to support religious and other private schools.”
Comptroller officials said Thursday that the funding request is based on the number of students currently participating and those on the waitlist, as required under state law.
The Legislature will consider the request as lawmakers write Texas' next two-year budget during the legislative session beginning in January.
How much families can receive
Families with children attending private schools currently qualify for about $10,500 per student annually through the Education Freedom Accounts program. Home-school students can receive up to $2,000 per year.
Students with disabilities can qualify for as much as $30,000, depending on what it would cost to educate the student in a public school. However, fewer than 30 students have received the maximum amount.
Accessing the additional special education funding has also proven difficult for some families.
High Plains Pundit previously reported that tight application deadlines and confusing documentation requirements created obstacles for families seeking money reserved for students with disabilities. Comptroller officials subsequently said they would seek additional funding for those families in future years.
Huffines' latest budget request attempts to account for that possibility.
Officials expect nearly 15,000 children already participating in the program to obtain appropriate special education documentation next year, potentially making them eligible for additional funding. Some of the requested $226 million would be used to cover those increased awards.
About 7,300 private school students currently participating in the program have a documented disability. Those students receive the roughly $10,500 base amount plus an average of more than $5,000 in additional special education funding.
The debate over the latest request is likely to intensify as the program grows.
