Understanding Texas ESAs: What Round Rock Families Need to Know

Local guidance to help Round Rock families understand Texas Education Savings Accounts, school vouchers, and evolving education choices.

As education policy continues to evolve in Texas, many Round Rock families are seeking clear, local guidance on what these changes mean for their children. One of the most talked-about developments is the Texas Education Savings Account (ESA) program, officially known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFAs), often referred to as school vouchers.

At Round the Rock, our goal is to help families navigate important community topics with clarity and context. That’s why we’ve partnered with ESTEAM EDU to bring Round Rock families a dedicated series exploring how Texas ESAs work, what families should consider now, and how these changes may impact local education options. This four-part series is designed to provide practical, community-focused information to help parents make informed, confident decisions.

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Myths vs. Reality: What Round Rock Families Really Need to Know About Texas ESAs

By Nicholle Walton-Durban

Education is personal. And when it comes to Texas Education Savings Accounts (commonly called ESAs — and now known officially as Texas Education Freedom Accounts or TEFA), there’s no shortage of opinions, fear, hope, and confusion floating around.

At its core, TEFA is a policy change — but the conversations around it touch family finances, school choice, community values, and most importantly, children’s learning lives.

To move the discussion forward in a way that’s clear, calm, and grounded in reality, let’s separate the myths from the realities that Round Rock families actually need to understand.

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Myth #1: TEFAs Replace Public Schools

Reality: TEFAs Expand Options — They Do Not Eliminate Public Schools

A common misconception is that accepting an ESA means leaving your public school or that public education will evaporate. That’s not accurate.

What’s true:

• Public schools still exist and are still funded.
• Families can choose to keep their child in public school and simply not participate in TEFA.
• TEFA adds options — it doesn’t remove existing ones.

In Round Rock, where many families value traditional schooling as well as alternative paths, it’s important to see TEFA as an addition, not a subtraction.

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Myth #2: TEFAs Force Families Into Private School

Reality: Families Use TEFAs in Many Ways — Not Just Tuition

While private school tuition is one of the most visible use-cases, it’s not the only one — and it’s not the only way TEFA funds are spent.

Families across the state are already:

• using TEFA toward microschools
• pairing with homeschool curriculum
• paying for tutoring
• investing in enrichment programs
• covering therapies and learning supports

In other words, TEFA funds can support a learning ecosystem, not just one kind of school. Many families combine multiple services to fit their child’s needs.

Beginning February 4, 2026, parents can submit applications for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program. Education freedom accounts are designed to open doors, expand opportunities, and give each Texas child the chance to learn in the environment that fits them best. First awards will be available to participating children for the 2026-27 school year.

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Myth #3: Only Wealthy Families Benefit

Reality: TEFA Broadens Access — Especially for Families Who Struggle to Afford Alternatives

Some worry that ESAs simply let affluent families double up on privilege. But the reality — especially given how Round Rock’s ecosystem works — is different:

Why TEFA matters for all families:

• It gives families access to resources they might otherwise not afford
• It supports blended learning stacks
• It shifts control of education funds to families, not bureaucracies

For families already paying out-of-pocket for tutoring, enrichment, or alternative schooling, TEFA can mean real financial relief and choice.

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Myth #4: TEFAs Push Kids Out of Community

Reality: TEFA Often Keeps Learning Local

Rather than pulling families away, TEFA tends to keep education dollars in the community. Across Round Rock and Greater Austin, there are already:

• Learner-driven microschools
• Private schools with deep neighborhood roots
• Homeschool co-ops and hybrid programs
• Tutoring centers and enrichment studios
• Therapies close to home

In a robust ecosystem like ours, TEFA lets families choose within the community instead of having to leave it for options they can’t afford.

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Myth #5: TEFAs Are Confusing and Hard to Use

Reality: With Good Information, Families Can Navigate TEFA Thoughtfully

Yes — any new program comes with complexity. Eligibility rules, approved expense lists, documentation, and reporting require attention.

But confusion is not inevitable.
Here’s what matters most:

• Clear, accurate information
• Tools that help families evaluate quality
• Support from trusted local sources

That’s exactly why we created resources like our Round Rock & Greater Austin Education Ecosystem Directory and our Parent TEFA Starter Guide (see below) — to help families make sense of the options without overwhelm.

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Myth #6: TEFA Is a Political Fight

Reality: For Many Families, TEFA Is a Practical Tool, Not a Partisan Issue

Across Round Rock, families care about:

• Their child’s confidence
• Their child’s growth
• Their child’s enjoyment of learning
• Their ability to access a supportive, meaningful environment

Those goals don’t fall neatly into political categories — they’re human.

TEFA is not inherently partisan in the lived experience of families. It’s about how education resources are used — and who gets to make those decisions.

Beginning February 4, 2026, parents can submit applications for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program. Education freedom accounts are designed to open doors, expand opportunities, and give each Texas child the chance to learn in the environment that fits them best. First awards will be available to participating children for the 2026-27 school year.

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Myth #7: You Have to Have It All Figured Out Right Now

Reality: Learning Paths Evolve — and TEFA Can Grow With You

Many families fear that choosing a path other than the traditional one is permanent or rigid.

The reality?
Learning paths are dynamic.

Children grow. Needs change. A tutoring focus one year may become enrichment the next.

TEFA doesn’t lock families into a one-size-fits-all plan. It supports flexibility over time — a much more natural fit for real families.

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Ready to Explore What’s Possible?

If you’re curious about:

• What education options look like in Round Rock
• How TEFA works in everyday practice
• How families combine core learning with supplemental supports

We’ve put together two FREE parent resources to help you explore with clarity:

📘 Parent TEFA Starter Guide — downloadable PDF to walk you through the basics
📊 Round Rock & Greater Austin Education Ecosystem Directory — see who’s already here and how families use options

👉 Download both to stay informed and armed with knowledge

And don’t forget — you can book an intro session with us where you can ask questions live and learn from local experts.

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Conclusion: Reality Empowers Better Choices

TEFA is a tool — not a destination.

It’s a way to unlock access to an existing, thriving education ecosystem that many Round Rock families already participate in.

Understanding the myths vs. the realities will help you make informed decisions, focused on what matters most: your child’s learning, well-being, and long-term growth.

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About the Author

Nicholle Walton-Durban is the Founder of ESTEAM Academy, a learner-driven microschool, and ESTEAM EDU, an education consulting organization supporting families and school leaders.

She is a mother of three and has spent the last decade helping reimagine education through agency, accountability, and purpose-driven learning.

Connect with Nicholle through the following channels: 

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This article is part of Round the Rock’s ongoing series, Understanding Texas ESAs: What Round Rock Families Need to Know, created in partnership with ESTEAM EDU. The content is provided for informational and community-focused purposes only.

Round the Rock does not advocate for or endorse specific education policies, programs, schools, or choices. Views expressed by contributing authors and partners reflect their own perspectives and are shared to help provide clarity, context, and expert insight for families navigating evolving education topics.

Families are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals when making education decisions. Round the Rock remains committed to offering clear, local information so families can make confident choices that best serve their individual needs.

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