As with any new initiative, questions and concerns are natural—especially about how new changes may impact existing practices. The following sections are designed to help address those questions, explain what TEFA is, how it will be implemented, and how it will affect FHBA.
fhba & tefa
what does this mean for fhba?
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what is tefa?
Texas education Freedom acts (tefa's) are the result of the passing of senate bill 2 which is basically a school choice initiative.
THESE ACCOUNTS ARE BASED ON THE IDEA THAT PARENTS SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE AN EDUCATIONAL SETTING THAT BEST SUITS THEIR CHILD'S NEEDS.
oNE BILLION HAS BEEN SET ASIDE TO FUND TEFA. THIS MONEY CAN BE USED TO PAY FOR PRIVATE EDUCATION, TUTORS, HOMESCHOOL, OR OTHER EDUCATIONAL NEEDS - SUCH AS COUNSELING, SPEECH THERAPY AND MORE.
SCHOOLS THAT CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE MUST BE ACCREDITED AND IN OPERATION FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARs - IN ADDITION TO ADMINISTERING A NATIONALLY NORMED TEST!
ONCE FAMILIES APPLY AND ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO RECEIVE FUNDING - SCHOOLS THAT ARE A PART OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THESE funds AND DRAFT FROM THESE ACCOUNTS FOR TUITION AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL NEEDS SUCH AS UNIFORMS ETC.
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who qualifies?
EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY DURING THE OPEN WINDOW OF FEBRUARY 4TH - MARCH 17TH.
AFTER MARCH 17TH - THE COMMITTEES WILL DETERMINE WHO IS AWARDED IN THIS ORDER:
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS
(BELOW 500% OF POVERTY LEVEL, iep, OR DIAGNOSIS FROM A LICENSED DIAGNOSTICIAN)
LOW-INCOME FAMILIES
(200% BELOW POVERTY LEVEL)MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES
(BELOW 500% POVERTY LEVEL)HIGHER-INCOME FAMILIES
(ABOVE 500% POVERTY LEVEL)HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES
(oNLY $2000 AWARDED)
Families must be ready to upload and provide tax return information for either 2024 or 2025, proof of citizenship, and proof of disabilities if needed for the first priority grouping.
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notification of awarded funds
FAMILIES WILL BE NOTIFIED SOMETIME AFTER MAY 2026 AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL HAVE A TEFA.
IF AWARDED - FUNDS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JULY FOR TUITION AND OTHER EDUCATIONal NEEDS FOR 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR.
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HOW WILL THIS AFFECT FHBA?
SB2 WAS WRITTEN TO INCLUDE SAFEGUARDS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
- FHBA WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO CHANGE ANY CURRICULUM, HIRING POLICIES, OR BE HELD TO ANY STANDARDS THAT GO AGAINST OUR BELIEFS AS A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL.
- FHBA WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO ADMINISTER THE STATE STAAR TEST NOR WILL FHBA BE REQUIRED TO REPORT TEST SCORES OR BE HELD TO ANY STATE MANDATES THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE HELD TO CONCERNING THE STAAR STATE EXAMS.
- MRS. ALLEN AND THE BOARD WILL CONTINUE TO REMAIN IN FULL CONTROL OVER ADMISSIONS DECISIONS, TESTING PROCESSES AND WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO ACCEPT ALL TEFA STUDENTS JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARDED FUNDS.
wE, AT FHBA HAVE HAD THE SAME CONCERNS THAT MANY PARENTS HAVE REGARDING TEFA. WE UNDERSTAND YOUR CAUTION AND QUESTIONS.REST ASSURED - FHBA WILL NOT CHANGE IN ANY FORMAT. THE FAMILY ATMOSPHERE, SMALL CLASS SIZE, STRONG BIBLE-BASED CURRICULUM, AND QUALIFIED TEACHERS WHO LOVE WHAT THEY DO WILL REMAIN INTACT.IF SB2 is ever re-written or changes in format - fhba will revisit the decision to be a part of the program and make the decision to continue partnership or sever the program based on the changes.if the changes require fhba to waver from our original goals as a christian school or we feel government over-reach - we will discontinue being a tefa school immediately.Type the content for this list item here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this list item. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section. Once you click into this text area, you will see the filler text disappear.
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what will happen if tefa is not awarded to a family in need?
FHBA is moving forward with its plans to raise funds for scholarships to support currently enrolled families who are in need.
Long-standing FHBA families will be served first in recognition of their loyalty and commitment to the school prior to the creation of TEFA.
FHBA also believes that families who desire a strong educational environment for their children should continue to plan and budget for private education as though TEFA awards may not be available.
This approach helps limit disappointment, avoid dependency on government assistance, and maintain hope and trust in the place God has provided for their children to learn and grow.
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