As the Texas legislature gears up for its 2025 session, Governor Greg Abbott has set a clear educational priority: banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in K-12 public schools.
Abbott aims to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding these initiatives and insists that schools should concentrate on fundamental educational content rather than what he considers indoctrination.
Continuation of DEI Restrictions
This proposal to extend the existing DEI ban mirrors the legislation passed two years ago for higher education institutions.
However, the governor’s team has yet to clarify the details surrounding this new initiative.
Abbott’s comments gained traction following the release of videos by Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the American Culture Project.
In the footage, a Richardson school district official, who serves as the executive DEI director, responds to inquiries about allowing a transgender girl to share accommodation during a school field trip.
The official indicated that decisions would depend on individual circumstances and parental input.
The Richardson school district quickly issued a statement reaffirming its policies, which restrict room sharing to students of the same sex assigned at birth.
Moreover, the district emphasized its adherence to all anti-discrimination laws, including those that dictate that student athletes must compete based on their assigned sex.
Impact on Higher Education
In a previous legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 17, a measure that dismantled DEI offices and programs at public universities.
This law prohibits the establishment of diversity-focused offices, hiring DEI personnel, and mandating DEI training as part of employment or admissions processes.
Since this legislation took effect, universities across Texas have closed their DEI offices.
These offices had previously assisted marginalized students—such as those identifying as Black, Latino, or LGBTQ+—in navigating university life and building community.
Legislative Context
The surge in social justice activism after George Floyd’s tragic death in 2020 led many educational institutions nationwide to pledge commitments to greater inclusivity.
However, numerous initiatives have faced considerable backlash, framed by some legislative actions as leftist indoctrination.
Governor Abbott’s push to extend the DEI ban to K-12 education reflects Texas leaders’ ongoing efforts to regulate how schools address inclusivity while limiting conversations around topics like gender, sexuality, and America’s racial history.
As Texas prepares for discussions on funding public education during the upcoming legislative session, Abbott’s position integrates into these vital debates.
Senator Brandon Creighton, a Republican from Conroe and chair of the Senate Education Committee, echoed his support for the governor’s initiative.
He described Senate Bill 17 as a model for other states and expressed eagerness to broaden the law to shield Texas students from what he perceives as detrimental DEI programs.
Creighton urged swift legislative action to advance this agenda.
Source: The74million