Texas school voucher program opens lane for teacher side gigs
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The new Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) are opening a path for teachers to work as independent tutors or "teacher-preneurs."
Why it matters: Supporters say that could boost income and flexibility, while critics argue it highlights — not solves — low teacher pay.
How it works: Families can receive about $10,000 per student — more for students with disabilities — for private school tuition, tutoring or therapies through approved vendors.
- Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Wednesday that 42,000 families will receive the first round of funding to be used in the 2026-27 school year.
Zoom in: Teachers who apply as TEFA vendors could earn rates comparable to classroom salaries by tutoring 25–30 hours a week at roughly $30–$35 an hour, Inga Cotton, founder of School Discovery Network, a nonprofit that helps families navigate school options, tells Axios.
- The nonprofit has been hosting events to walk educators through how TEFA works, how to apply as vendors and what it takes to launch tutoring businesses.
- "If they could find a way to keep helping kids, but maybe have more control over their working conditions, I think that's appealing," Cotton says. "Being an entrepreneur… gives you that flexibility and that freedom."
The other side: Monty Exter, governmental relations director for the Association of Texas Professional Educators, tells Axios the income potential doesn't match reality and reflects longstanding pay concerns.
- "People know that educators aren't paid enough… and they want to find ways to do that without having to spend any more money," he says.
Between the lines: TEFA allows teachers to work as paid tutors, but district policies may limit who they can serve. Exter says some districts restrict teachers from tutoring students on their campus — or any student in the district.
- He described that as a "gray, squishy" area that could complicate TEFA-funded work.
- Exter says those most likely to benefit are retired or former educators.
What they're saying: East Central ISD educator Oletha Johnson is testing the model with evening and weekend learning pods atwhile working full-time as a school counselor.
- She recently became an approved vendor but said the process comes with "a lot of red tape" and requires educators to think like business owners, she tells Axios.
The bottom line: The program may open new paths for some educators, but for many current teachers, it's far from a simple side gig.