Families in Prosper ISD and Celina ISD whose children scored “Did Not Meet Grade Level” on the spring 2026 third-grade reading STAAR can apply for $400 in state-funded tutoring.
The Texas Education Agency announced Sept. 17 that applications were open for Parent Access to Supplemental Supports, known as PASS. The program provides an online account families can use to purchase reading and literacy tutoring from approved providers, according to TEA’s announcement.
Students who took the qualifying assessment as third-graders can apply even if they are now in fourth grade.
Who qualifies
Students must be enrolled in a Texas public school and have scored “Did Not Meet Grade Level” on the spring 2026 Grade 3 Reading Language Arts STAAR. A score of “Approaches Grade Level” does not qualify, according to the PASS parent FAQ.
Students must remain enrolled in a Texas public school throughout the grant period. Eligible students in either Prosper ISD or Celina ISD can participate.
The grant provides $400 per eligible child. Families with more than one qualifying student can submit an application for each child.
Parents and guardians have one year from the release of their child’s qualifying assessment results to apply. TEA says all eligible students whose families apply within their application period will receive funding.
School districts and open-enrollment charter schools are required to notify families of eligible students about the opportunity.
How the money works
Families begin by creating an account and applying through the PASS portal.
Once an application is approved and funded, a ClassWallet account is created using the family’s PASS account email address. Parents use that account to purchase services from approved tutoring providers through the ClassWallet marketplace.
The program does not provide cash or reimburse families for tutoring purchased outside the marketplace.
Approved providers include tutoring organizations, teachers with a Teacher Incentive Allotment designation and qualified literacy specialists, including Certified Academic Language Therapists. Services may be offered in person, virtually or through a hybrid format.
Families can use the portal’s “Find Approved Tutor” tool to search for providers serving their area, including statewide online options.
Parents must activate their ClassWallet account and complete the PASS parental agreement within 90 days of receiving the account email. Missing that requirement may result in the account closing and funds being lost.
Families have one year from the grant award date to obtain eligible services. Account expiration information appears in ClassWallet and is sent by email, according to TEA’s FAQ.
Additional support beyond school intervention
PASS supplements the accelerated instruction districts are already required to provide under Texas law. It does not replace that instruction, TEA said.
The agency describes third-grade reading performance as a key predictor of later academic success and identifies tutoring as a way to help students strengthen their skills as coursework becomes more demanding.
Families can apply through the PASS website. For help with eligibility, applications or finding an approved provider, call 1-800-656-4199 or email [email protected].
