Texas Schools Face Record‑High Choice Rush
Texas, USAMon Feb 23 2026
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Parents across Texas are lining up to send their children into a new state‑run program that lets them pick schools beyond their local district. The system, called Texas Education Freedom Accounts, launched with a $1 billion seed fund and has already received more than 118, 000 applications. The deadline for signing up is March 17, giving families just over a month to decide.
The rush began when the application portal opened, drawing 42, 000 entries on day one – a figure that made it the busiest first‑day launch for any school‑choice program in the country. To spread the word, a national advocacy group spent almost $2 million on marketing in Texas, hoping to explain how the accounts work and what parents can gain.
Supporters argue that letting families choose schools fixes problems caused by rigid district zoning. They claim that many public schools are “controlled by unions” and fail to meet students’ needs, so a choice system offers a moral improvement. Critics worry that vouchers and savings accounts could drain money from traditional public schools, especially in rural areas where the policy has previously faced opposition.
The governor signed the Education Freedom Act last May, after a tough battle to unify his party. He has since backed candidates who favor choice in upcoming primaries, using the backing of a pro‑choice foundation to raise funds and influence the political landscape.
Large city districts are feeling the impact of this shift. The Houston Independent School District, for example, announced plans to close 12 schools next year because enrollment has dropped and maintenance costs are rising. The district’s superintendent said the move is necessary to keep resources focused on remaining students.
The statewide rollout reflects a national trend: parents are increasingly willing to move their children out of local schools in search of better options. Whether this will strengthen the overall education system remains to be seen, but the numbers show a clear demand for change.
