A coming-of-age memoir by a California writer has been seized upon by politicians who want greater control over the kinds of books available in Texas schools.
Public Education
Explore The Texas Tribune’s coverage of public education, from K-12 schools and funding to teachers, students, and policies shaping classrooms across Texas.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas schools can again set their own face mask rules after federal judge overrules Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban
The judge said the governor’s order impedes children with disabilities from the benefits of public schools’ programs, services and activities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Posted in
Public Education
North Texas principal resigns to end fight over whether he was teaching “critical race theory”
James Whitfield, the first Black principal at mostly white Colleyville Heritage High School, chose to resign but remain on paid administrative leave until 2023 in a settlement with the school district.
Posted in
Public Education
Gov. Greg Abbott calls for criminal investigation into availability of “pornographic books” in public schools
It’s unclear why the governor tasked the state’s education agency, which does not employ law enforcement officers, to perform the investigation.
Posted in
Texas 2022 Elections
Analysis: Texas Republican lawmakers pleased most of their own voters, most of the time
They didn’t make a majority of Texas voters happy on a single issue, but the Republican majority in the Legislature made most of their own voters happy — and then drew maps that minimize political threats to them in the November general election.
Posted in
Public Education
Houston-area school district suspends gender-based provisions of its dress code after being sued over its long-hair policy
The ACLU of Texas sued Magnolia ISD, accusing it of violating students’ equal protection under the 14th Amendment and Title IX.
Posted in
Politics
Gov. Greg Abbott chastises school board group with vague accusation of “pornographic images” in library books
Abbott’s letter comes on the heels of an inquiry launched by state Rep. Matt Krause, a Fort Worth Republican running for Texas attorney general. Krause sent a letter to certain school districts with an 850-book list that included novels about racism and sexuality.
Posted in
Texas 2022 Elections
Analysis: Matt Krause’s campaign for attorney general comes with a reading list
State Rep. Matt Krause, a Republican candidate for attorney general, wants public schools to explain some of the books in their libraries. He’s got questions about content, along with a way to get some attention from voters.
Posted in
Public Education
Federal judge says Houston-area students defying dress code ban on long hair can return to class
In a lawsuit filed against Magnolia ISD, the ACLU of Texas says six boys and a nonbinary student were disciplined for having long hair under the district’s gender-based dress code.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas House committee to investigate school districts’ books on race and sexuality
State Rep. Matt Krause, a candidate for state attorney general, asked school superintendents to confirm whether any books on a list of 850 titles are in their libraries and classrooms.