Advocates say the bills will give parents more power over their children’s schools. Critics say they don’t give parents anything they didn’t already have and will only strain their relationship with teachers.
Sofia Sorochinskaia
Sofia Sorochinskaia was an Austin-based reporting fellow and a junior at Northwestern University who is studying journalism and international studies. Born and raised in Russia, Sofia has worked as a news producer at TV Rain, contributed to the Russia.Post project at George Washington University, and interned as a reporter at The Moscow Times. She also covered national security in Washington, D.C., for Medill News Service. In 2025, she received the Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Award. Sofia speaks English, Russian and German.
Posted in
2025 Legislative Recap
From vouchers to a cellphone ban, this year’s lawmaking session brought transformative changes to Texas schools
An agenda driven by conservative priorities, schools’ financial duress and teacher needs led to an $8.5 billion boost, new discipline rules, more Christianity in classrooms and a DEI ban.
Posted inPolitics
Texas’ DEI ban on public schools heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for final sign-off
Senate Bill 12’s supporters say DEI programs use class time and public funds to promote political agendas.
Posted inDemographics
Democrats lash out as Legislature bans school clubs that support gay teens
Tensions flared and the debate turned personal as Republicans said their bill empowered parents and denied predictions that the ban will endanger children.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Bill that would ban cellphones in Texas public schools heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk
Research shows cellphones interfere with students’ ability to focus in class. Texas would join at least nine other states that ban students from using their phones during the school day.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT-Dallas’ new president will be Prabhas Moghe, regents say
Moghe, Rutgers University’s chief academic officer, is a biochemical and biomedical engineer and a former international student. He is expected to start in his new role later this year.
Posted in
Politics
Ronnie Dugger, trailblazing founder of The Texas Observer, dies at 95
Dugger launched the Observer, a fixture of the Texas media landscape known for its decidedly progressive lens to state affairs, in 1954.
Posted inHealth care
“See how we do things”: Austin cannabis shop invites Texas lawmakers wanting to ban THC
A bill that would make it illegal to sell THC products could soon head over to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. For a cannabis store employee, lawmakers don’t know enough about the industry they’re trying to shut down.
Posted inPolitics
Texas Legislature moves to build Texas Life Memorial on Capitol grounds
Approval of the monument comes as the lower chamber prepares to debate the “Life of the Mother Act” bill later this week.
Posted inPolitics
It’s not just about vouchers and school funding. Here are other Texas public education bills you should track.
Student discipline, uncertified teachers and school bans on DEI and cellphones are some of the topics being debated at the Texas Legislature this session.