Navigating School Choice: A Deep Dive into Texas' Massive Voucher Program

This week, guest hosts Megan Menchaca and Elizabeth Sander, education reporters at the Houston Chronicle, dive deep into the controversial Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) voucher program. Going beyond the political headlines, they explore:

• The Data: Do voucher programs truly expand high-quality options for lower-income families?
• The Systemic Changes: How will this shift impact funding and enrollment in public schools?
• The Real Stories: How are families navigating their choice options to find the best fit for their children?

Special thanks to our guests, Dr. David DeMatthews, Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at UT Austin, Amanda Bigbee, Division Director of Policy Services at TASB, and Deanna Sheaffer, Director of Business Development at Families Empowered.

Resources:

Houston School Finder: The Houston Chronicle's custom tool for exploring and comparing public, private and charter schools in Houston.

Produced by: Owala Maima, Rico Henriquez, Briauna Derry