EDUCATION
At UT, a Day of Drag and Defiance
bills | censorship | CIVIL RIGHTS | college | COLLEGE STUDENTS | Community | CULTURE | dei | diversity | EDUCATION | EQUALITY | equity | greg abbott | HIGHER EDUCATION | inclusion | lawmakers | LGBTQ | local | old texas | politcal | political | politics | public education | public school | schools | state legislature | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS
Trump wants to dismantle the Education Department. That could hurt students with disabilities in Texas.
| April 8, 2025
censorship | CHILDCARE | CIVIL RIGHTS | DALLAS | diversity | Donald Trump | EDUCATION | education department | EQUALITY | equity | EXTREMISM | funding | HIGHER EDUCATION | inclusion | lawmakers | laws | national politics | old texas | politcal | political | politics | public education | schools | state legislature | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS | trump
In a state with a checkered history with federal special education law, advocates say Texas students will see an erosion of their disability rights protections. As the Trump administration pushes to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, advocates for students with disabilities worry that, without federal oversight, Texas will fail to provide adequate special education services to the children who need them.
Second chance charter: This Texas educator is fighting for high school dropouts
| April 4, 2025
Once a teenager drops out of high school, stigmas often follow. The world has become a more and more unforgiving place for young people, and on top of the unique challenges today’s teens face, financial crises at home and in the public school system leave struggling youth without much support. Fortunately, there’s a North Texas […]
Texas Senate approves ban on DEI, LGBTQ+ clubs in public schools
| April 4, 2025
dei | DFW | diversity | EDUCATION | equity | greg abbott | inclusion | public schools | TEXAS | Texas Lead Story | trump
The Senate approved SB 12 in a 20-11 party-line vote on March 19. It’s now headed to the Texas House for consideration. The bill bans the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation, creates an avenue for parents to file complaints about violations, and requires districts to create policies for disciplining employees who engage in DEI-related tasks.
What Trump’s dismantling of the US Education Department means for Texas
| March 27, 2025
The Trump administration's plans to close the US Education Department — which provides $3.6 billion to Texas schools — has left public school advocates decrying it as "embarrassing, maddening, and saddening."
Texas A&M can’t ban “Draggieland” drag show, federal judge rules
| March 24, 2025
censorship | CIVIL RIGHTS | COLLEGE STUDENTS | CULTURE | Donald Trump | EQUALITY | LGBTQ | politcal | political | politics | state legislature | TEXAS | Texas Lead Story | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS | trump
A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked Texas A&M University System from enforcing a ban on drag shows being held at its special event venues. Judge Lee H. Rosenthal said the student group that organizes Draggieland, the Queer Empowerment Council, was likely to succeed in showing the ban violates the First Amendment.
These librarians won’t let America’s fever hit Fahrenheit 451
| March 20, 2025
bannedbooks | bookbans | books | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | CIVIL RIGHTS | Community | CULTURE | EQUALITY | History | libraries | library | LITERATURE | national politics | old texas | politcal | political | politics | public education | schools | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS
A new documentary shows us our local guardians of intellectual freedom in battle.
Texas schools have leaned on uncertified teachers to fill vacancies. Lawmakers want to put a stop to it.
| March 17, 2025
CHILDCARE | EDUCATION | JOBS | lawmakers | politcal | political | politics | public school | schools | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE
Underprepared teachers have been tied to student learning losses. But amid a teacher shortage crisis, school leaders fear the restrictions will lead to fewer instructors in their classrooms.
Public school funding in Texas doesn’t match community support, advocate says
| March 6, 2025
DFW | EDUCATION | funding | old texas | public education | public school | state legislature | TEXAS HOUSE
Amid declining enrollments and budget shortfalls, public school supporters are concerned that a $1 billion school voucher program will funnel more money away from neighborhood schools.
Texas may change how schools select library books. Critics say it could lead to more bans.
| March 6, 2025
bookbans | books | censorship | CIVIL RIGHTS | libraries | library | old texas | politcal | political | politics | schools | state legislature | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS
Senate Bill 13 would create school library advisory councils largely made up of parents. It would give school boards, rather than librarians, the final say over new books.
Texas Legislature proposes $400 million cut to higher ed as Dan Patrick threatens university budgets over DEI
| February 27, 2025
censorship | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | CIVIL RIGHTS | college | COLLEGE STUDENTS | EDUCATION | EQUALITY | EXTREMISM | HIGHER EDUCATION | lawmakers | old texas | politcal | political | politics | schools | state legislature | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS
At a public event last week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said higher ed would get less funding if they don’t “kick DEI out of their schools,” a few weeks after lawmakers proposed a massive cut to public universities.
Texas Senate passes $1B school vouchers bill to spend public funds on private schools
| February 7, 2025
The Texas Senate easily passed a controversial school voucher bill that Democrats criticized for not prioritizing low-income students.
Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdown
| February 6, 2025
This year, the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature is expected to pick up where it left off two years ago to address a perceived liberal bias at the state’s public, four-year universities.