Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a San Antonio event touting school vouchers.

Texas accepts some Islamic schools into voucher program after lawsuits

Federal lawsuits by parents and schools argued Texas officials engaged in religious discrimination by preventing Islamic private schools from accessing state voucher money.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Federal lawsuits by parents and schools argued Texas officials engaged in religious discrimination by preventing Islamic private schools from accessing state voucher money.

Texas News

Applications for private school vouchers close today. Demand already exceeds available money.

More than 200,000 students have applied for state money for private school. Most attended private school or home-school last school year, early data shows.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Henry Herzog, 7, watches his sister play with a family dog as he eats breakfast on Monday, March 9, 2026, at their home in Manvel.

Texas News

Texas students with disabilities struggle to qualify for extra school voucher funds

Confusion over the program’s special education requirements is making it difficult for families to meet a looming deadline — and creating more work for Texas school districts.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock answers a question during a Republican candidate forum the Civic Center in Canton on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.

Texas News

Muslim parent sues Texas over exclusion of Islamic private schools in voucher program

The federal lawsuit argues Texas officials are engaging in religious discrimination by preventing Islamic private schools from accessing state voucher money.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune March 3, 2026March 3, 2026

Students walk through the hallway at Lago Vista High School on Sept. 9, 2025 in Lago Vista.

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School districts can set aside prayer time under a new Texas law. Few have done so.

School boards had until March 1 to decide whether to establish a daily period for students and staff to pray or read religious texts.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune March 2, 2026

JoMeka Gray teaches a class of kindergarteners at Kennedy-Powell Elementary in Temple, Texas.

Texas News

Texas education board approves 4,200 corrections in Bible-infused curriculum

Taxpayers will bear the cost of fixing errors in learning materials published by the Texas Education Agency. The curriculum has drawn attention for its references to Christianity and the Bible.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune February 26, 2026February 26, 2026

State Board of Education meeting attendees listen to the discussion as school workbooks span a table across the room on June 26, 2024 at the William B. Travis Building in Austin.

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Texas’ social studies shakeup creates divide over whose histories to teach, and how

Concerned about Texas’ social studies overhaul, Democrats on the State Board of Education used a recent meeting to push for the inclusion of more Black and Indigenous perspectives and for young children to learn about the horrific nature of slavery.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

Marina Hernandez helps students clean up for center time in her pre-K 2 classroom at Gingerbread Kids Academy on Sept. 26, 2024, in Richmond.

Texas News

Texas Education Agency moves to correct 4,200 errors in Bible-infused curriculum

State Board of Education members criticized the publishing errors and postponed their vote on the agency’s request until their next meeting.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune January 31, 2026January 31, 2026

Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk speaks at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Texas News

Texas teachers union sues state education agency for investigating social media posts about Charlie Kirk

The Texas Education Agency received hundreds of complaints about educators’ online reactions to the conservative activist’s death.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune January 6, 2026January 6, 2026

Only families who already qualify to receive free public pre-K services will be able to apply for state funds under Texas' voucher program.

Texas News

Texans can use school vouchers for pre-K, but the pool of families who qualify is limited

A limited group of families with 3- and 4-year-olds who already qualify for free public pre-K can receive state funds to attend private preschool.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune December 17, 2025December 17, 2025

Attendees at a Turning Point USA rally in Lubbock on Oct. 7, 2025. Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday a plan to open more chapters of the conservative youth organization in Texas high schools.

Texas News

Gov. Greg Abbott launches plan to open Turning Point USA chapters in all Texas high schools

Republican officials in Oklahoma and Florida have also launched plans to expand the presence of the conservative youth organization founded by Charlie Kirk.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune December 8, 2025December 8, 2025

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath met earlier this month with a top official of Turning Point USA to discuss creating new chapters of the organization in every Texas high school. It is unclear whether they formally agreed on a partnership.

Texas News

Texas education chief met with Turning Point USA to discuss group’s expansion in high schools

The meeting happened days before Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pledged $1 million to help establish chapters of the conservative student group on every Texas college and high school campus.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune November 25, 2025November 25, 2025

The Texas State Board of Education launched the process of redesigning the state's social studies standards earlier this year.

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Texas State Board of Education advisers signal push to the right in social studies overhaul

Some advisers have criticized diversity efforts, questioned the historical contributions of people of color, and promoted debunked beliefs.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune November 17, 2025November 17, 2025

The Texas Education Agency is investigating hundreds of teachers' social media posts about conservative activist Charlie Kirk's killing. Commissioner Mike Morath has called the comments “reprehensible and inappropriate." Legal experts say the investigations are an attack on teachers' free speech rights.

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Texas investigation into teachers’ posts after Charlie Kirk’s death violates their free speech, experts say

Free speech experts say that when teachers speak in their personal capacity, even on school grounds but outside their official duties, they retain their right to comment on matters of public concern.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune September 30, 2025September 30, 2025

Rear view of elementary school students running down school hallway between classes, carrying backpacks.

News

Texas’ new parental consent law leaves school nurses confused about which services they can provide to students

The law’s authors urged districts to use “common sense.” But some nurses worry they could violate the law and face discipline for providing basic care without a parent’s approval.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune September 8, 2025September 8, 2025

News

1 in 4 Texas school districts signs up for new Bible-infused curriculum

The numbers may grow as the state collects more data. Some districts adopted the plan not for its religious emphasis but for more funding and to better align with teaching requirements.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune August 28, 2025August 30, 2025

News

Texas Legislature nearing final approval of $8.5 billion school funding package

The Senate gave initial approval to the legislation. After one more vote, it heads to the House, where leaders say it will pass.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune May 23, 2025May 26, 2025

News

Republican lawmaker files bills to ban DEI in Texas K-12 public schools

Senate bills 12 and 1565 would withhold funding from Texas public schools that don’t comply with the state’s DEI ban.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune February 24, 2025March 4, 2025

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Legal rights groups urge school leaders not to adopt Texas’ Bible-infused curriculum

The coalition of legal organizations told Texas school district leaders that it would ‘take any action’ necessary to protect the rights of students and their families.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune January 31, 2025June 10, 2025