Tag: Programs

AUSTIN, Texas — As the first week of the legislative session comes to an end, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling on state lawmakers to further restrict diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI.

In a post on Xon Thursday, just two days after state lawmakers gaveled in the 89th legislative session at the Capitol, Abbott said he wants to ban DEI initiatives in K-12 public schools.

“No taxpayer dollars will be used to fund DEI in our schools,” Abbott said on  X. “Schools must focus on fundamentals of education, not indoctrination.”

KVUE reached out to Abbott’s office on Friday to get more details on the tweet and what the governor is proposing, but we did not hear back at the time of publication.

The push to ban DEI in K-12 schools expands on what state lawmakers did in the 2023 legislative session.

State lawmakers passed Senate Bill 17, which forced publicly-funded colleges and universities across Texas to shut down DEI programs, initiatives or training. It also requires public institutions to limit the mention of DEI and support for DEI initiatives and eliminate diversity-related positions or conditions for employment or admission related to DEI. The law went into effect at the start of 2024. It has led to the shuttering of DEI programs and initiatives on campuses across the state.

The tweet drew praise from State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), who became Senate president pro tem this week. He authored Senate Bill 17 in 2023.

“SB 17 has become a model for the entire nation,” Creighton posted on X. “I am ready to expand the law to protect the 6 million students in Texas schools from failed, divisive DEI programs. Let’s get to work.”

Emily Witt, a media and communications strategist at the Texas Freedom Network, believes DEI programs, initiatives and offices are vital for underrepresented and minority groups.

“Texas lawmakers have a responsibility to serve all Texans and families that are in our public education system, regardless of the color of their skin, the zip code they live in, or if they or their families are LGBTQ,” Witt said.

Witt said she worries it could put kids at risk and cause more pain for an already marginalized group of Texans.

“I think the impact would be that our kids wouldn’t all feel safe and embraced in our schools and that kids who are not LGBTQ would get the message that it’s okay to bully other children or belittle people who aren’t like you or come from the same background as you,” Witt said. “Resources should be available to make all families and children feel welcome in our public schools.”

State Rep. Stan Gerdes (R-Bastrop) has filed a bill in the House to ban DEI initiatives in government entities, like school districts and open-enrollment charter schools.

“I look forward to passing my bill to ban DEI in our public schools and government agencies and onto your desk for signature, Gov. Abbott,” Gerdes posted on X.

Gerdes was unavailable for an interview on Friday, and Creighton’s office did not respond to an interview request.

“It’s not surprising that now sites are set on K-12 schools to distract from actually fixing the issues that are real and present in our schools and creating problems where there really are none,” Witt said. “There’s nothing wrong with embracing people from all different backgrounds. It’s good for all of us to ensure people have the resources to thrive no matter where they come from.”

This is the latest effort by Texas Republican leaders to control inclusivity programs at institutions and discussions in the classroom on topics like gender and sexual orientation.

“Our students deserve to be free to learn in their schools without politicians inserting their personal and religious agendas into their public schools, while children from different backgrounds deserve to be represented in curriculums and embraced at school,” Witt said. “We’re doing a disservice not only to the children who aren’t seeing themselves reflected but to white children from heteronormative families, who maybe wouldn’t learn about anyone who doesn’t look like them.”

Abbott’s threat to cut funding to ensure taxpayer dollars don’t go to DEI programs comes as public school districts are in a critical moment, largely because of a lack of significant public school funding. The State of Texas hasn’t increased education funding since 2019. 

As a result, districts statewide are grappling with multimillion-dollar budget deficits and are considering closing some schools.

This week, Eanes ISD leaders voted unanimously to close Valley View Elementary School after the district estimated a budget deficit of about $6.5 million. 

Education will be a significant part of this legislative session. School choice is a top priority for Abbott and Republican leaders. Abbott has said he believes he has the votes to pass the program, which would allow Texas families to use public tax dollars to send their kids to private schools. Abbott campaigned against several incumbent legislators who previously blocked the passage of the program.

The Senate has passed vouchers five times, but those proposals have died in the House every time. 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said that passing school choice will be the Senate’s top priority, only behind the state budget. He’s hoping Abbott will declare it as an emergency item. If that happens, it will allow lawmakers to pass those bills sooner. For the first 60 days of the legislative session, lawmakers can only pass bills on topics designated as “emergency items” by the Governor.

The 89th Texas legislative session runs through June 2.