# Cato Expert Available: Why Texas’s New Education Choice Program Matters 

Today, applications open for Texas’s new Education Freedom Accounts, a program that will empower families to choose the type of schooling that fits their families’ needs.

February 4, 2026 • News Releases 

Today, applications open for Texas’s new Education Freedom Accounts, a program that will empower families to choose the type of schooling that fits their families’ needs. A new [blog post](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://zwly9k6z.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:*2F*2Fwww.cato.org*2Fblog*2Ftexas-education-freedom-accounts-launching/1/0100019c2933c2e0-c1198f42-5f0a-43e9-9f85-6eb76f043856-000000/St3vXM485tNmJ9kBTfRjxnPczOg=464___.YXAzOmNhdG9pbnN0aXR1dGU6YTpvOjY1MTdkZmMxZTI3ZmM2NDQ1ZjQ3MDVkYzJiZWQ1MDg2Ojc6YjI0NjpjY2Q4NjdiZTRjZGM4ZTYwMmY4ZmQ1ZWUxZWNjYTcyMGY1YWYxYjE2MTBjYTI2ODlmYmNmNmY0YmY1OGM4ZDdiOmg6VDpO) from Cato Institute scholar [Colleen Hroncich](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://zwly9k6z.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:*2F*2Fwww.cato.org*2Fpeople*2Fcolleen-hroncich/1/0100019c2933c2e0-c1198f42-5f0a-43e9-9f85-6eb76f043856-000000/7ILlHLnoKLp_nEpdZ46VKHDG3c8=464___.YXAzOmNhdG9pbnN0aXR1dGU6YTpvOjY1MTdkZmMxZTI3ZmM2NDQ1ZjQ3MDVkYzJiZWQ1MDg2Ojc6MWNkYjpmZmFjMzc5YWU4MDBkNDRiOWQ2NzJkYmFmYTE1ZTFjYjE5ZDhjNzZhMGJlNTMwMDQ5MWU2ZjJmOTNjMDAyZjNiOmg6VDpO) details why educational choice programs are so critical:

> It’s about time Texas families had access to parental choice in education. While many kids do well in their assigned school, no single school can meet the needs of every child who happens to live near it. Some kids need more individualized attention or a more flexible environment, some families want religious instruction or a school that aligns better with their families, and some kids have been bullied and need a safer place. Educational choice programs, like TEFA, help families afford other options.

To speak with Colleen about educational freedom and Texas Education Freedom Accounts, contact [pr@​cato.​org](mailto:pr@cato.org).

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