More than 20,700 Texas students have returned or opted out of their school vouchers, according to data obtained by The Dallas Morning News, even as the state awarded more than 122,000 Texas Education Freedom Accounts.
The figures, reflecting a snapshot as of Aug. 5, show that about two-thirds of those who gave up the funding — roughly 14,100 students — had been enrolled in public schools during the 2024-25 school year. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, which administers the program, previously reported that more than 122,000 students received awards and were invited to participate.
Students with disabilities were prioritized first. Of about 29,400 deemed eligible in that tier, nearly 7,300 — almost one in four — opted out, records show. Another large share came from lower-income families. Nearly 11,900 students whose household incomes were at or below 200% of the federal poverty line returned their vouchers, according to the data.
More than 20,700 Texas students have returned their school vouchers. Over two-thirds were previously enrolled in public schools. https://t.co/tnXyKcK6Xy
— Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) August 13, 2026
Education experts told the Morning News the numbers align with earlier warnings that securing a private school seat can prove difficult. Private schools can deny admission, charge tuition above the voucher amount, or be located far from a family’s home. “Just because you got an award does not mean you have a seat in a private school,” said Dee Carney, director of the Texas Center for Voucher Transparency. “They have to pick you.”
Among those who opted out, about a quarter formally declined the award. The rest either failed to select a school by the July 15 deadline or the chosen school did not confirm enrollment by July 31. In those cases, the voucher is reassigned to someone on the waitlist.
Houston ISD recorded the highest number of opt-outs among districts at about 1,040, followed by Dallas ISD with 618 and Fort Worth ISD with 422. The Comptroller’s office has said it plans to survey families later to better understand the reasons, which could include difficulty finding a suitable school, transportation challenges, or decisions to remain in public schools.
Proponents of the program note that many participants still come from low-income households and that capacity at private schools continues to expand. Critics say the gap between awards and actual use highlights practical barriers for families seeking alternatives.
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