Recognition Helps Meet Demand for Texas Education Freedom Accounts

We’re pleased to have worked with Society for Classical Learning to earn recognition by the Texas Education Agency as an accreditor in Texas. The letter from Commissioner Morath to SCL begins: “This letter of understanding is written to verify the recognition of the Society for Classical Learning (SCL) and its affiliated members for the purpose of determining the accreditation of nonpublic schools in Texas.”

Why is this important?

Established in 2008, SCL promotes, supports, and equips classical Christian schools to help them fulfill their mission. As they explain: “Classical Christian education aims to cultivate virtue and wisdom in students so they will live for the glory of God, flourishing as human beings and loving both God and neighbor.” A classical liberal arts education prepares students to succeed in their careers, while also teaching them to care for their communities, act as responsible citizens, and live virtuously. Many Texas parents want this quality education for their children.

SB 2, which was the bill championed by Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick that created education savings accounts (now known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts [TEFA]), allowed for authorization of new accreditors for private schools that wish to serve as providers in TEFA. Additional accreditors have been an issue for some time but even more so with the establishment of TEFA. There are at least two choke points with student access to these accounts: lack of accredited private schools, including micro schools, and appropriations. Demand for TEFA already far exceeds appropriations and quite possibly available seats in already accredited private schools. These factors create supply problems.

With recognition of SCL, TEA has taken a necessary step to increase available supply in Texas. As the letter from Comm. Morath also states, “The Texas Education Agency (TEA) acknowledges a private school accredited by anyaccrediting agency approved by the Commissioner of Education is an accredited private school in Texas.”

We will continue work on expanding opportunities for students and parents. Empowering parents to fulfill their responsibilities to their children should be a guiding policy principle.