## Texas parents eligible for $10,000 school vouchers can use them at private pre-K programs starting in 2026
Parents in Texas with qualifying children will be able to apply the state's standard school voucher, valued around $10,000, toward private pre-kindergarten education beginning in the 2026 school year.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) confirmed this development, expanding the voucher program to pre-K settings beyond public schools. These vouchers are part of the state's Move On When Ready program aimed at increasing access and educational choice for eligible families.
### Details about the voucher program and eligibility
- The voucher amount is approximately $10,000 per qualifying student.
- Eligible families include those who meet income and residency requirements set by the state.
- Private pre-K programs accepting vouchers must meet certain accreditation standards and agree to state oversight.
- Families use the vouchers to cover tuition and fees at participating private early childhood centers starting in 2026.
### Official statement from the Texas Education Agency
The TEA emphasized the agency's commitment to providing families with more education options and said:
> "Our goal is to empower parents with more flexibility to choose the best learning environment for their children, starting as early as pre-kindergarten."
### Impact and perspectives
This move marks a significant growth in Texas’s school choice efforts by incorporating early childhood education into voucher programs. Advocates applaud the policy as a step toward greater access to quality preschool options, while some critics raise concerns about funding and equity implications.
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The Texas Education Agency announced that from 2026, qualified families can use state-funded $10K vouchers at private pre-K schools, signaling a broader commitment to expanding educational choices early in a child’s academic journey.
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Tyler Morning Telegraph — 2025-11-29