$50 Million for Administration? Odyssey Chosen to Run Texas School Voucher Program

Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced Monday that the state has selected Odyssey, a technology firm, to help build and manage its newly approved school voucher program, known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts.

Under the law passed earlier this year, eligible families will be able to apply for taxpayer funds to cover private or homeschooling costs beginning with the 2026–27 school year. Applications are expected to open early next year.

“We’re moving quickly to launch this program, keeping the end goal in sight every step of the way — giving parents the freedom to choose the best educational path for their children,” Hancock said in an official statement.

“We’re moving quickly to launch this program, keeping the end goal in sight every step of the way — giving parents the freedom to choose the best educational path for their children,”

Odyssey will work with the comptroller’s office to design the application process, manage payments, and develop a system for purchasing educational products and services. The company has previously administered similar programs in other states, such as Georgia, Iowa, Utah, and Wyoming.

The law authorizes Odyssey to receive up to 5% of the program’s $1 billion budget — equivalent to $50 million — for administration. Legislative analysts project the program’s costs could rise to nearly $5 billion by 2030.

“As the leading school choice platform in the country, we are thrilled to partner with the Comptroller’s office to launch a Texas-sized program to empower Texas parents,” shared Odyssey CEO Joseph Connor in a statement. “We are ready to deliver a user-friendly and trustworthy platform that can ensure a seamless rollout.”

Past Controversies Raise Oversight Questions

Odyssey has faced scrutiny in other states. In Iowa, the company was sued in 2023 over claims related to its contract bid, although the case was dismissed. In Idaho, an audit flagged $180,000 in ineligible purchases and nearly $500,000 in interest collected from unspent funds. The company reimbursed the state and later lost its contract. Odyssey said that the decision was due to cost considerations, not performance.

Texas’ Senate Bill 2 authorized the comptroller to select up to five organizations to assist with the program’s implementation. So far, Odyssey seems to be the only one chosen. According to The Texas Observer, Odyssey hired lobbyists with close ties to Governor Greg Abbott and former House Speaker Dade Phelan during recent legislative sessions.