public schools

A coalition of interfaith groups held the first Religious Freedom in Schools summit in Dallas this week to discuss how to push back on legislation it says centers Christianity in schools.

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.

Texas' Senate Bill 10, which requires the commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom in the state, is set to take effect Sept. 1. U.S. Judge Fred Biery, in a temporary injunction issued Wednesday, blocked several school districts in the Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio areas from following the new law.

The records also shed light on previous concerns about shooters' classroom behavior. The release follows a yearslong lawsuit from news agencies.

Sixteen Texas families of multiple faiths and nonreligious backgrounds filed the case against multiple school districts across the state, asserting Senate Bill 10 violates the Establishment and Free Expression Clauses of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 10, even though a similar Louisiana law was deemed unconstitutional. Supporters say Christianity is core to U.S. history.

State policy makers passed two major education-related bills this legislative session, one establishing a school voucher-like program and another allocating more than $8 billion for public school funding.

One of the most highly debated bills in Texas' 2025 legislative session has passed both chambers and heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. House Bill 2 provides $8.5 billion for the state's public school system.

The deal, confirmed by three lawmakers familiar with the discussions, appears to strike a face-saving compromise for both chambers over how to increase funds for the state’s public schools.

The bill would provide a tax credit to match an amount donated to organizations that provide K-12 scholarships.

Senators will hold a hearing Thursday on their counterproposal to the House's school funding bill. House Democrats and public education advocates have criticized the upper chamber for not moving faster to advance the legislation.

During his full-throttle push to pass private school vouchers this legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott repeatedly claimed that funding for public schools 'is at an all-time high.' A TPR fact-check found that to be misleading, based on an analysis of state data and expert interviews.