The State of Texas has released its proposed rules for Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), and this is a big moment for ParagonED families. You can read the full rule package here: Texas Proposed ESA Rules (PDF).
Here’s the high-level overview of what matters most for our community:
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✅ Tuition is eligible: ESA funds can be used for private school tuition and fees — including ParagonED.
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✅ Our independence is protected: ParagonED won’t be required to change our curriculum, values, or admissions in order to accept ESA funds.
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⚠️ Accreditation is required: Schools must be accredited by a TEPSAC-recognized body (ParagonED just completed our final Cognia visit and expect approval by year’s end 🎉).
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⚠️ Testing is required: Schools must administer a nationally norm-referenced assessment. (We already use MAP testing, so we are in compliance here.)
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⚠️ Background checks are required: Schools must run national background checks and check TEA’s “do not hire” list. (We already do national checks and will add the TEA list to our process.)
What This Means for Families
ESA funds will not be available until Fall 2026, which lines up perfectly with ParagonED’s two-year accreditation timeline. That means our families will be eligible to use ESA dollars for tuition as soon as the program launches.
🎉 Upcoming ParagonED Family Event
In December/January, we’ll host a family event to:
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Share the next steps needed for ParagonED to accept ESA funds.
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Explain how The Big Beautiful Bill expanded the use of 529 accounts to cover K–12 private school tuition.
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Equip families with the financial tools to be in the driver’s seat next year when making decisions about tuition.
🤝 Questions? We’re Here.
We know this is a lot to process, and we want every ParagonED family to feel confident and informed. If you have questions about ESAs, 529s, or tuition planning, reach out to us anytime — we’re happy to help.
Big changes are coming to education in Texas, and ParagonED is ready to guide you through them.
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