Texas School Vouchers: Huge Demand, Limited Spots

0:00It's April 3rd. You're listening to Dallas News Today AI-powered local news. I'm Corey with the story. Texas families went all in on school vouchers this year, with over 274,000 applications flooding in before the march. 31st deadline. The Texas controller dropped the full breakdown Friday, showing a huge demand for the new Education Freedom Accounts program, capped at 1 billion. Dallas for up to 90,000 kids. Pre-Kinigarden led with over 36,000 apps, but elementary grabbed the lion's share at about 107,000. They split applicants into four priority tiers, based on income and disabilities, with tier 1 for low-income kids with special needs at 12. Percent and tier 2 for those at or below 200% of the federal poverty level hitting 32%. Demographics paying a clear picture. 35% white applicants, 23% Hispanic, and families mostly middle to upper income.

1:00With 37% at or below 200% poverty, Houston, Dallas, and other big districts like Fort Worth saw the most action, and 77% want private school spots. This marked Texas' biggest school choice push yet, letting parents use up to $10,474 per kid for tuition, tutoring, even computers. The 800 private school signed on, but with funding likely running dry by tier 2, they're prepping a lottery for leftovers. Controllers' team is verifying details now, with their partner Odyssey expecting award notices late April and cash hitting accounts by July. If demand keeps surging, that weightless head straight to the legislature for Round 2.