Even though Gov. Greg Abbott’s long-sought private school voucher law has been passed and enacted, the fight to support Texas public schools is far from over. Public education advocates across the state are mobilizing for transparency and accountability in what will be one of the largest voucher programs in the nation.
Our Schools Our Democracy (OSOD) has launched a new online hub, “Take Action Against Vouchers,” to help Texans track how the new program unfolds and to stay engaged in defending neighborhood public schools. The site includes key updates, calls to action, and resources to monitor the rollout of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), a voucher program expected to divert over $1 billion in taxpayer funds from public schools during its first two years.
In early October, the Texas Comptroller announced that Odyssey, a New York-based company with a troubling record of mismanaging similar programs in other states, would administer TEFA. Public education supporters, including OSOD and Texas AFT, have raised alarms about Odyssey’s lack of transparency and its $26 million state contract – funds that could have been invested directly in Texas classrooms.
The comptroller’s office is still finalizing the rulemaking process for TEFA. Proposed rules were published in the Texas Register on Aug. 22, followed by a public hearing on Sept. 30, where educators and advocates called for stronger safeguards and reporting requirements. The agency has yet to issue final rules, meaning critical questions remain about oversight, data transparency, and how private vendors will be held accountable once the program launches.
The voucher program, created under Senate Bill 2 and signed into law in May 2025, will begin during the 2026–27 school year. It will offer up to $10,000 per student for private tuition, with no meaningful accountability measures or guarantees that private schools will serve all students, including those student populations who are most vulnerable. Critics warn that, as seen in states like Arizona, costs could balloon to $4.7 billion within just a few years.
Texans have made clear they oppose this misuse of public funds. Thousands testified or submitted comments against vouchers earlier this year, arguing that our schools, not private corporations, deserve full public investment.