Governor Abbott signs bill for largest ESA program launch in U.S. history, set to begin in 2026
Today, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2 into law, officially establishing a universal education savings account (ESA) program in Texas. Backed by a $1 billion investment, the program is scheduled to launch in the 2026–2027 school year and will be the largest ESA rollout in history.
What we’re saying:
Tiffany Barfield, government affairs director, yes. every kid.:
“Texas families just changed the game for education freedom—thanks to the outstanding leadership of Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Burrows, Chairman Creighton, and Chairman Buckley.
“With the passage of this bold ESA, Texas has put families in control—giving thousands the ability to choose the learning environment that works best for their child.
“This is a huge win for families. The game has shifted—and there’s no going back.”
Why it matters:
- The law ends decades of policy gridlock and positions Texas as a national leader in education innovation.
- Every Texas student deserves to learn in an environment that fits them. And families agree—77 percent of Texas voters support education freedom, regardless of income or ZIP code.
- With the funding set for $1 billion, over 100,000 students will be able to benefit in the first year of the program.
What’s in the bill:
- Who qualifies: All K–12 students statewide and some eligible pre-K students
- Priority: Low-income families, students with disabilities, and siblings of participants
- Funding:
- $2,000 for homeschoolers
- ~$10,000 for students in pre-approved learning environments
- Up to $30,000 for students with disabilities
How it works:
- Oversight: Administered by the Texas Comptroller
- Eligible uses: Tuition, tutoring, testing, therapy, public school courses, assessments, transportation, tech, and much more
- Support: Families will have access to up to five approved organizations to navigate applications, payments, and customer service
- Transparency: Annual reports will ensure spending accountability and transparency
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