As the Texas legislative session kicks off for 2025, Governor Greg Abbott is pushing for new legislation that targets diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 educational settings.
Governor’s Stance on DEI Programs
In his latest social media update, Abbott made it clear that he does not support using taxpayer money for DEI programs in schools.
He emphasized the need for education to focus on core academic values rather than what he refers to as indoctrination.
This proposed measure to ban DEI initiatives in K-12 schools builds on a similar restriction that was previously enacted for higher education institutions two years ago.
However, as of Friday, Abbott’s office had not elaborated on his statements when contacted by the Texas Tribune.
Response to Recent Events
The Governor’s call for action was partially spurred by a video shared by Corey DeAngelis from the American Culture Project.
This footage showed a representative from the Richardson school district commenting on how the district would accommodate transgender students during field trips.
The district’s DEI executive indicated that decisions would consider the specifics of each situation and parental input.
In response to inquiries from the Tribune, officials from Richardson clarified their position, stating that only students of the same sex at birth would be permitted to share lodging during trips.
They also confirmed their adherence to all anti-discrimination legislation, including policies ensuring that student-athletes participate in sports aligned with their birth-assigned sex.
Legislative Developments
The passage of Senate Bill 17 during the 2023 session marked a pivotal moment in the push against DEI initiatives within publicly funded colleges and universities.
This legislation outright banned DEI offices, funding for related programs, and the requirement of diversity training for those seeking employment or admission.
In the aftermath, numerous institutions have dismantled DEI programs that played a vital role in aiding underrepresented student populations, including Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s death in 2020, there was a nationwide commitment among educational bodies to cultivate more inclusive atmospheres.
However, recent legislative efforts have sought to dismantle these initiatives, framing them as breeding grounds for divisive politics.
Abbott’s proposed ban reflects a broader movement among Texas officials aimed at regulating discussions around inclusion, gender identity, sexual orientation, and America’s historical issues with racism in educational settings.
Adding another layer to the conversation, Abbott’s remarks come at a time when public education funding is a major topic in the current legislative agenda.
Recently, legislators from the House and rural Republicans collaborated to counter a school voucher initiative championed by Abbott, leading to a significant freeze on public school funding.
This situation has created dire financial challenges for many schools, including multi-million dollar deficits and the looming threat of closures.
Despite these challenges, Abbott asserts that he now has the backing necessary to move forward with a school voucher program, which would allow parents to use tax dollars for private education.
He also indicated his willingness to enhance funding for public schools during this ongoing legislative session.
Support for Abbott’s stance found an ally in Senator Brandon Creighton, a Republican from Conroe and chairman of the Senate Education Committee.
Creighton, who authored the existing DEI legislation, described SB 17 as a model for other states.
He expressed readiness to expand the law in order to protect Texas’s six million K-12 students from what he critiqued as ineffective DEI programs.
Source: The74million