AUSTIN, TX – October 8, 2025 – This week in Texas education, significant developments are unfolding across the state and within its capital city. Austin Independent School District (AISD) is grappling with a major consolidation plan that includes the proposed closure of 13 schools, while the state rolls out a new, billion-dollar Education Savings Account program, and Travis County injects substantial funding into child care initiatives.
Austin ISD Faces Sweeping School Consolidation
Austin ISD has unveiled a comprehensive proposal to close 13 of its campuses – 11 elementary schools and two middle schools – as part of a plan to address a budget deficit approaching $20 million and declining student enrollment. The district, which currently serves approximately 70,000 students, down from 84,000 in 2015, aims to save over $25 million annually once the plan is implemented for the 2026-27 school year. The affected elementary schools include Barrington, Becker, Bryker Woods, Dawson, Maplewood, Oak Springs, Palm, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, and Widen. Bedichek and Martin middle schools are also slated for closure, along with the International High School program.
Becker Elementary, a cornerstone for many families, is among those facing potential closure. Its dual-language program, a key attraction for parents like Joseph Arriaga, is proposed to be relocated to Sanchez Elementary. Sanchez Elementary will become a non-zoned campus focusing on a Spanish dual-language program, with students from Becker and other areas being reassigned. District officials emphasize that these difficult decisions are necessary to maintain local control and avoid potential state intervention, as some campuses have received failing grades from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for multiple consecutive years. The district is holding virtual community feedback sessions throughout October, with a final vote by the Board of Trustees scheduled for November 20.
Texas Launches $1 Billion Education Freedom Accounts Program
Separately, Texas has officially selected Odyssey, a New York-based technology company, to manage its new $1 billion Education Savings Account (ESA) program, known as “Texas Education Freedom Accounts” (TEFA). The announcement, made by Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, marks a significant step toward providing parents with state-funded options for private school tuition, homeschooling, and other educational expenses. Eligible families will be able to apply for the program starting in early 2026, with funds available for the 2026-27 school year. Families can expect to receive approximately $10,330 per student annually, with higher amounts available for students with disabilities.
Odyssey will develop and manage an online platform for applications, vendor vetting, and payment processing. While proponents hail the program as a means to expand educational choice, critics, including Texas Democrats and public education advocates, express concerns that it may divert crucial funding from public schools and disproportionately benefit wealthier families. Odyssey’s track record in other states has reportedly included issues with administrative costs and program management.
Travis County Boosts Child Care Access
In an effort to combat rising child care costs and lengthy waitlists, Travis County has approved significant funding for its “Raising Travis” child care initiative. Commissioners recently committed $21 million to create an additional 1,000 child care scholarships, with new slots expected to become available in January 2026. This funding, stemming from a voter-approved tax increase from 2024, is part of a broader commitment to invest in affordable, high-quality child care and after-school programs for families. Travis County is recognized as having the most expensive child care in the state, making these investments crucial for community economic resilience and better outcomes for children.
These concurrent developments highlight a period of significant transition and investment in Texas’s education and social support systems, with statewide implications for families, educators, and the future of public and private schooling. This news is featured and trending as communities begin to digest the scope of these impactful changes.
