The number of Texas students using taxpayer money for private school or home-school could increase as more families accept invites.

Families have until July 15 to opt in to the education savings accounts, or ESAs, which launches next school year.

The Houston federal judge said Paxton’s office can pull out of the case as soon as acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock finds new lawyers. The unusual request comes amid a bubbling feud between the two Republicans.

In this week’s episode, hosts Matthew and Eleanor talk with Tribune K-12 education reporter Jaden Edison about who in Texas applied for school vouchers and why Muslim schools were shut out of the program.

The application period, set to close Tuesday night, must now remain open until March 31, according to an attorney representing Islamic schools.

As Texas rolls out its new school voucher program, public school educators and teacher advocates are raising concerns about how the policy could impact classroom funding across the state.

Families filed applications for more than 100,000 students by mid-February. The application period will close March 17.

A CAIR official blasted the Texas AG’s opinion, saying the law does not permit the comptroller to scrutinize Muslim schools because of their religious identity.

Several court hearings and policies affecting education, health and more will roll out in the new year.

The Tribune’s team of data journalists produced a congressional redistricting tool, covered several education data releases, visualized the measles outbreak and more.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock suggested schools that hosted events for the Council on American-Islamic Relations or are linked to China could be disqualified from the new program.

A limited group of families with 3- and 4-year-olds who already qualify for free public pre-K can receive state funds to attend private preschool.

VanDeaver, who represents northeast Texas, was one of two House Republicans to oppose a school voucher program this year after he narrowly beat a pro-voucher primary challenger in 2024.

The rules serve as the foundation for Texas’ private school voucher program, which will officially launch at the start of the 2026-27 school year.

The Texas comptroller holds tremendous power over the program, including choosing which companies the state will pay millions to help manage it. Voters will decide who runs the agency next year.

Private schools looking to educate participating students may also have a chance to apply to the program before the end of the year.

Finance and technology company Odyssey will help design the application process, manage payments and review complaints for the state’s education savings accounts.

Lambert overcame a brutal primary last year after drawing the wrath of two of the state’s most powerful GOP leaders.

The schools were closed last week after years of declining enrollment. The school communities said increased choices were to blame.

Texas will give participating families about $10,000 to pay for their kids’ private schooling. Other details about the program, set to launch in 2026, are unclear.

Texas Republican lawmakers in regions known for support of public schools defended voting for vouchers, saying they gained leverage to seek concessions.

The lieutenant governor proposes that the Texas Senate adopt the House bill, which would eliminate a negotiation over the two versions and cement the victory for supporters.

The House approved historic legislation that would implement school vouchers in Texas. Here’s how each representative voted.

The bill would let families use taxpayer dollars for their children’s private schooling. Lawmakers also signed off on a sweeping $7.7 billion package to boost public school funding.

The Texas House also approved more money for schools in a bipartisan vote.

The House Public Education Committee voted to advance a pair of priority bills to create education savings accounts and to raise how much state money public school districts receive.

Supporters say diversity initiatives close educational and income gaps born from a history of prejudice. Republican officials say they prioritize identity over merit.

The hearing on House Bill 3 started Tuesday and ended Wednesday morning. Hundreds of Texans waited overnight to testify.

Lawmakers debated on House Bill 3, which would create an education savings account for families to spend taxpayer money on private tuition.

Neither of the Legislature’s voucher bills require private schools to accept certain students, which some warn could block the neediest children from access.

The 75 co-sponsors plus the bill’s author would provide enough votes to pass Gov. Abbott’s top priority measure in the 150-seat House.

The Lufkin school district says it must do a better job of promoting itself amid growing competition from charter schools and homeschooling.

Supporters of voucher-like education savings accounts are trying to press their advantage early and build a sense of inevitability.

The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill 2, a bill that will allow school choice and vouchers in the state.

Senate Bill 2 now heads to the House, where top officials say they have the support to create education savings accounts.

The governor’s list of priority items includes issues important to social conservatives and to business advocates.

The governor’s speech sets a broad agenda for the Legislature, including a nuclear renaissance and a Texas Cyber Command.