AFC Celebrates Texas Leaders’ Commitment to Expand School Choice Following Record Demand for TEFA Program
DALLAS, Texas — The American Federation for Children today applauded Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and Speaker Dustin Burrows for signaling their commitment to grow the Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program to meet overwhelming family demand in the state’s next biennial budget. More than 175,000 families are currently on the waitlist for TEFA.
In joint budget instructions released Tuesday, these school choice champions directed agencies to maintain funding for the TEFA, “plus amounts necessary to reflect projected program participation” as part of the legislative appropriations process for the 2028–29 biennium. The guidance comes as state leaders begin crafting the next state budget and represents an early commitment to ensuring the program can serve even more Texas families.
TEFA’s launch, the largest in school choice history, clearly demonstrates Texas families’ extraordinary demand for educational options. While the program’s initial funding limited the number of students who could receive awards, the budget guidance issued by Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, and Speaker Burrows signals that state leaders are preparing to meet continued demand from Texas families in the years ahead.
Statement from Nathan Cunneen, Texas State Director, American Federation for Children:
“275,000 Texas families applied for school choice this year, and their voices are impossible to ignore. Today’s budget guidance demonstrates that Governor Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Patrick, and Speaker Burrows are listening to the Texans who came out in record numbers to apply for TEFA and secure the educational options they deserve.
“We are grateful for these leaders and proud to work alongside them and other school choice champions as they continue building on TEFA’s record-setting success. Every family deserves school choice, and we will continue our work until that becomes a reality.”
About the American Federation for Children
The American Federation for Children is the nation’s largest school choice advocacy organization and a leading force in advancing education freedom. AFC has helped pass more than 200 school choice laws nationwide, empowering families with meaningful options and elevating parent voices in education policy. The organization’s affiliated Super PAC, AFC Victory Fund, is focused on electing education reform champions at state and federal levels.
