EDUCATION
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
DFW | DFW TEXED EXCLUSIVE | EDUCATION | education department | musk | old texas | TEXAS | Texas Lead Story | trump
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.
$1 billion school voucher bill clears first hurdle in Texas Senate
| January 31, 2025
A bill creating a $1 billion school voucher program for 100,000 Texas students is on a fast-track for approval in the state Senate.
I’m helping my college-age kid fill out the 2025-2026 FAFSA. Here’s what to know.
| December 6, 2024
If the financial aid fiasco last year had you, like me, coming up with creative alternatives for the FAFSA acronym, you can take a big, deep breath. This year, the process is so much easier. Or maybe you’re a FAFSA newbie, and you have no knowledge of 2023’s drama—you just want the quick ‘n’ easy […]