A Parent’s Guide to Texas ESA: What Families Need to Understand Before Applying
More Than Tuition: How Texas ESA Helps Families Build a Stronger Learning Plan
Why the New Texas ESA Rules Matter for Microschools (and Why We at ESTEAM EDU Are Excited)
Texas ESAs Are (Almost) Here: What Families Need to Know About Education Freedom Accounts Updated December 2025 After years of debate, Texas has officially finalized the rules for its statewide education savings account (ESA) program, now called Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA). The program was created by the Texas Legislature in 2025 through Senate Bill 2 and will begin funding students in the 2026–2027 school year. The program is administered by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts with Odyssey as the implementation partner. For Texas families, this is a major shift. For the first time, state education dollars can follow students outside the traditional public school system to approved private schools, microschools, homeschools, and other educational providers. What Is the Texas ESA / TEFA Program? The Texas Education Freedom Accounts program allows eligible families to receive public education funds in an account that can be used for approved educational expenses…
How Texas ESA Can Support Summer Growth and Academic Confidence
More Than Tuition: How Texas ESA Helps Families Build a Stronger Learning Plan
Texas School Choice 2025: A New Era of Empowerment Through Education Savings Accounts
In a landmark move, Texas officially joined the national school choice movement with the passage of Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) on May 3, 2025. Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, families across the state will have the power to use Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to personalize their children’s education using state funds. Whether you’re a parent, private school administrator, or educational entrepreneur, understanding how this new law works is critical to navigating the changing landscape of Texas education. 📜 What Is the Texas ESA Program? At its core, the ESA program allows state funding to follow the student—not the system. Families receive public dollars in a dedicated account to spend on approved educational services outside of the traditional public school system. Program Highlights: 👨👩👧👦 Who Is Eligible? All Texas K–12 students are eligible to apply—including those enrolled in: Students must be: If demand exceeds available funds, the state will prioritize…
It Starts with Believing
What if the key to raising capable, resilient, and healthy children didn’t start with rules or routines—but with belief? Belief that our children are not fragile.Belief that they are designed to grow through struggle.Belief that they are not only capable—but antifragile. The Power of Belief When we believe that our children are fully capable human beings—wired for growth, learning, and adaptation—it transforms everything. We stop viewing our role as protectors from every bump in the road and start becoming guides for the journey. Children are not glass to be protected. They are clay—malleable, resilient, and full of potential. In fact, research shows that the way we perceive our children’s capabilities directly influences their development. Dr. Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset confirms that when children are treated as capable of evolving, they rise to the challenge.¹ But that mindset begins with us—the adults. Inspire. Equip. Connect. Then Step Back. At…
The Power of a Robust Educational Ecosystem: Why Communities Must Invest in Education
A thriving community is built on a foundation of strong educational opportunities. A robust educational ecosystem doesn’t just prepare students for tests—it prepares them for life. It cultivates curious minds, nurtures future leaders, and fuels economic growth. Communities that foster diverse learning environments, including public and private schools, charter institutions, microschools, homeschool cooperatives, enrichment programs, and educational nonprofits, set the stage for long-term success. But what happens when those options are limited? History has shown that a lack of educational diversity can stifle opportunity, deepen socioeconomic divides, and hold entire communities back. So, how can we ensure that our communities don’t just survive but thrive? The Proven Benefits of a Strong Educational Ecosystem 1. Enhanced Academic Achievement Education isn’t one-size-fits-all. Communities that offer families a choice in learning environments allow students to find the best fit for their unique learning styles. This translates to improved engagement, higher test scores, and…
Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes
Education is meant to prepare learners for the future. Yet, many traditional systems still operate like it’s 1924 instead of 2024—expecting students to sit passively, memorize facts, and be measured by standardized tests that do little to reflect real-world success. If we keep doing the same thing, we’ll keep getting the same results: disengaged students, frustrated parents, and a workforce unprepared for the demands of an evolving world. Nothing changes if nothing changes. That’s why we refuse to settle. Through ESTEAM EDU—the umbrella for ESTEAM Academy, ESTEAM Learning Labs, and Apollo Academy—and The FIRE Foundation, we’re not just talking about education reform. We’re actively building innovative learning ecosystems that break free from outdated models and elevate what’s possible in education. The Problem: An Education System Stuck in the Past For decades, traditional education has followed a rigid formula: And the result? A generation of students who feel disconnected, uninspired, and…