Texas public schools

A new mandate from the Texas Education Agency says teacher preparation programs at both public and private colleges must promise to follow the state's K-12 anti-DEI law under penalty of perjury.

A debate over books in Texas' public school libraries picked up new attention last week, when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatened legislative action unless Texas school districts pull books from the shelves that he and certain activists believe are "harmful" to students and families and violate Texas' Senate Bill 13. In a meeting of Lubbock ISD's board of trustees, the district stood by the parent-led library council and book review system established under state law.

Final debates on proposed changes will come after years of deliberations about race and religion in the classroom.

"We're coming for the books," the lieutenant governor said in announcing plans to lower the performance rating of Texas schools that violate a recent law targeting obscene titles in school libraries.

Some districts use the temporary work permits to fill critical teacher shortages in roles such as bilingual education.

Civil rights advocates have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a Texas law requiring the state's public schools to display the Ten Commandments. Monday's petition tees up a case that could set a new national standard for the limits of religious expression in classrooms.

Gov. Greg Abbott wants teachers convicted of such misconduct with a student to face 10-year minimums in prison sentences with no parole.

The Waco school district is one of the latest to partner with the Third Future charter network as a last-ditch effort to stave off state intervention.

Property-wealthy districts say recapture gives the state too much control over local finances. But advocates warn that without it, underserved students could end up worse off.

The State Board of Education on Friday approved a new reading list that includes numerous Bible passages, and a social studies curriculum that emphasizes U.S. and Texas history over world cultures. Approved changes start taking effect in 2030.