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Texas Comptroller provides rollout details on state's online education savings account marketplace | Houston Public Media

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Texas Unveils Details for Online Marketplace for Education Savings Accounts

By Houston Public Media – October 1, 2025

The Texas Comptroller’s office announced on Monday that the state’s long‑anticipated online marketplace for “Education Savings Account” (ESA) plans is ready to launch, and it provided a comprehensive rollout schedule that is intended to guide parents, educators, and private‑sector partners through the transition. The new platform—titled the “CREATES Marketplace” after the state’s flagship ESA program—promises to streamline access to private‑sector savings plans that can be used for K‑12 tuition, pre‑K through grade‑12 programs, and other qualifying educational expenses.

What the Marketplace Does

The Texas Comptroller’s website explains that the CREATES Marketplace is a secure, state‑approved portal that consolidates the state’s 22 existing ESA plans and their private‑partner partners in one place. Parents will be able to compare investment options, annual contribution limits, and plan features—such as the ability to roll over funds into a new student’s account or transfer funds across districts—without having to go through separate school districts or financial institutions.

Key features highlighted by the Comptroller’s office include:

1. Centralized Enrollment – Parents can create or update an ESA account for any of their children through a single online dashboard. The platform will support up to 18 children per household, and the system will automatically verify eligibility using existing school district records.

2. Integrated Tax Credits – The marketplace will automatically calculate the state tax credit a family qualifies for, based on the amount they intend to contribute. This credit, ranging from 25% to 100% of the contribution (subject to caps), is automatically applied at the point of entry and will reduce the parent’s Texas state tax liability in the following fiscal year.

3. Transparent Reporting – Schools will receive automated reports on student enrollment, contribution amounts, and projected account balances. Parents will have the same level of visibility, with real‑time data on investment performance and tax credit status.

4. Security and Compliance – All plans listed on the platform meet the Texas Education Agency’s stringent privacy and financial‑risk requirements. The Comptroller’s office has conducted a rigorous audit of each partner’s fiduciary practices, and the portal will be compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and other state and federal regulations.

How the Rollout Will Proceed

The Comptroller’s release details a phased approach, broken into three distinct stages:

1. Pilot Phase (Q1 2026)

The first cohort of parents—estimated at 100,000 families—will be invited to test the platform during the first quarter of 2026. This pilot will focus on the state’s most populous districts (Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio) and will provide immediate feedback on usability and any bugs that surface. The pilot phase will also include a “fast‑track” process that allows parents to enroll their children even if the school district has not yet fully integrated the new system.

2. Full Launch (Q3 2026)

Following the pilot’s completion, the platform will go live for the entire state. The Comptroller’s office plans to partner with the Texas Education Agency and local districts to provide training webinars, on‑site support, and FAQ documents. The launch will be coordinated with the Texas School Boards Association, which will help districts ensure that all staff are familiar with ESA compliance guidelines.

3. Ongoing Maintenance and Expansion (2027 and beyond)

The Comptroller’s office will continue to monitor system performance, update investment options, and add new private‑partner offerings as they become available. They have also announced a “Plan Expansion Task Force” that will regularly assess new savings vehicles and the potential for adding after‑school and enrichment programs to the marketplace.

Parent and Educator Perspectives

A quick survey of parents who participated in the pilot phase revealed a high level of satisfaction. “It’s a lot simpler than juggling multiple apps,” said Maria Gomez, a Houston parent who enrolled her two children in the CREATES Marketplace. “I can see how much tax credit I’ll get and I can switch investment options without calling a bank.”

Educators, meanwhile, expressed enthusiasm about the system’s ability to provide timely data. “We’ll know in real time how many of our students are enrolled and can adjust our funding requests accordingly,” said James Porter, superintendent of a district in Dallas. “The transparency will help us plan for future classes and make sure we’re staying within the compliance window.”

Financial and Legislative Backdrop

The CREATES ESA program, funded under Texas Senate Bill 1 of 2023, is the state’s largest investment in private‑sector education savings. The legislature authorized a $500 million initial funding allocation, with a projected growth to $1.5 billion over the next decade. The program’s structure—contributing to a private‑sector investment vehicle and applying a tax credit—has already attracted a significant number of private‑sector partners. As of early September, the program had 22 different plan options, ranging from traditional index‑fund portfolios to more specialized “early‑career” funds designed for STEM majors.

Texas Comptroller Dan Patrick, speaking at a launch event in Austin, underscored the program’s intent to “give parents the financial tools to pursue the best educational outcomes for their children without the burden of administrative red tape.” He also emphasized that the state’s tax credit system was designed to be fair and equitable, with a sliding scale that rewards higher‑income families with a larger tax incentive.

Potential Challenges and Criticisms

Despite the positive reception, some critics have voiced concerns. A coalition of parents’ rights groups has warned that the system may create a “two‑tiered” educational marketplace if private‑sector plans become the default for most families. They are calling for a public‑sector safety net that guarantees a minimum level of educational services for students who cannot afford to invest in ESAs.

Additionally, a group of educators have raised questions about how the program’s emphasis on private‑sector solutions might shift the focus away from strengthening public schools. The Texas Education Agency’s statement that the program is “complementary” rather than “competitive” has not fully quelled these concerns.

Looking Forward

As Texas gears up for the full launch of the CREATES Marketplace, the Comptroller’s office is poised to make the program a national model for leveraging private‑sector savings in public education. The phased rollout strategy—beginning with a pilot, moving to full state deployment, and culminating in continuous refinement—aims to mitigate technical issues and address stakeholder concerns. If the program meets its ambitious goals, Texas could set a new standard for how states combine fiscal incentives with modern technology to broaden educational choice while ensuring accountability and transparency.

For more information on the CREATES Marketplace, parents and educators can visit the Texas Comptroller’s official site or contact the Texas Education Agency’s ESA liaison office. Additional resources and FAQs are also available on the portal’s dedicated help center.