AFC Praises Progress on Texas Education Freedom Account Program
DALLAS, TX — The American Federation for Children praises Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock and his office for their strong leadership and commitment to advancing school choice, making key progress by announcing a program director and selecting Odyssey as a Certified Educational Assistance Organization (CEAO) for the newly launched Texas Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) program.
The Texas EFA program will empower families to pursue a range of academic options, including private school tuition, tutoring, special education services, and more.
The Comptroller’s office recently announced Mary Katherine Stout as Director of the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program. She will oversee a team within the Comptroller’s office responsible for managing the $1 billion EFA initiative. Throughout her career, Ms. Stout has demonstrated a strong commitment to accountability, efficiency, and parental empowerment. Her leadership reflects a dedication to ensuring that this historic program launches smoothly and serves Texas families effectively from day one.
Further, the Comptroller’s diligent CEAO selection process underscores the state’s commitment to ensuring that parents and students have access to high-quality, well-managed education service providers. Numerous, high-quality vendors were considered, and the appointment of Odyssey reflects careful consideration by Comptroller Hancock to ensuring a family-centered approach to administering the program. Odyssey’s work in half a dozen states to administer educational choice programs—including Iowa, where the company successfully implemented an ESA program serving more than 27,000 students—bodes well for the Texas EFA program.
Statement by Nathan Cunneen, Texas State Director, American Federation for Children:
“We commend Comptroller Kelly Hancock and his team for their thoughtful and professional execution of the CEAO selection process. The new program director and Odyssey’s selection are excellent steps towards the enrollment of students in the nation’s largest day-one school choice program.
With each milestone, we are more confident than ever that the Texas EFA program will have a smooth and effective rollout. AFC looks forward to working alongside the Comptroller’s office, Odyssey, and other partners to ensure that the Texas EFA program achieves its full potential in expanding opportunity for all students.”
About AFC:
The American Federation for Children is the nation’s largest school choice advocacy organization and the most successful force for education freedom in America, passing over 200 laws across 32 states throughout our history. Our affiliated Super PAC, AFC Victory Fund, is the only nationwide Super PAC focused on advancing school choice.
