In this edition:
- Stop State-Sanctioned Censorship in Higher Ed!
- Multi-Billion-Dollar Voucher Bill is Signed Into Law
- Strengthening Bullying Law Advocacy!
- Committee Hearings This Week
- Highlights from Last Week
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Stop State-Sanctioned Censorship in Higher Ed!
Senate Bill 37 by Sen. Brandon Creighton shifts power over what is taught in college classrooms away from professors and academic leaders and gives it to university boards of regents. That means there will be less input from experts and more top-down control over what students can learn.
This bill could limit the types of courses students can take and potentially conversations that students can have especially around complex, real-world topics like race, identity, and inequality.
Bills like SB 37 are censorship legislation that attempt to censor what students can learn in Texas university classrooms. These bills often have a chilling effect on campus programs, courses and student activities across Texas. The language in this bill is so vague that educators may steer clear of important topics about race, gender and identity altogether, just to avoid risk. That means students could miss out on the kinds of honest, challenging conversations that build critical thinking and prepare them to lead in a diverse world.
We encourage you to call the members of the House Higher Education Committee and tell them to vote no on SB 37!
Multi-Billion-Dollar Voucher Bill is Signed into Law by the Governor
This past Saturday, the Governor Gregg Abbott officially signed Senate Bill 2 into law, creating Texas’ first universal school voucher program in the state’s history. Applicants will receive over $10,000 to use at a private school. The bill estimates that up to 95% of participating students will be already in private or homeschool, which means Texas is creating a coupon for the wealthiest few.
The warning from states with a school voucher scheme program is clear: it will drain funding from our neighborhood public schools and threaten state investments in our children and communities. We will never stop demanding investments that strengthen public schools for all students.
Bullying Prevention – Advocacy Day!
Last week, House Bill 1405 was heard in the House Public Education Committee. This bill would strengthen Texas laws relating to prevention and responses to bullying and harassment in schools. In collaboration with Rep. Ron Reynolds, we came together to hold a news conference and bring together students, parents and advocates to come testify at the Capitol in support of the bill. This is our second session in a row bringing folks together to ensure we help get support to protect students who are bullied in schools.
Continue to call members of the House Public Education Committee and tell them to vote yes on HB 1405! See our toolkit for more advocacy information.
The Legislature Takes Another Step to Advance the Texas Seal of Biliteracy
Texas lawmakers took another step toward expanding a stronger Texas Seal of Biliteracy for high school students graduating bilingual and biliterate. Senate Bill 1414/House Bill 1579 would expand students’ options to demonstrate their bilingual skills for college and career opportunities. Read more about the importance of expanding pathways for bilingual students.
Coming Up: Week of May 6, 2025
Texas House: Tuesday
- House Public Education Committee
- Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. (See notice)
- House Higher Education Committee
- Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. (See notice)
- House State Affairs Committee
- Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. (See notice)
- Watch hearings live
- Watch past hearings
Texas Senate: Tuesday
- No relevant hearings scheduled yet.
- Watch hearings live
- Watch past hearings
Highlights from Last Week
Testimony Presented Last Week
Changes to the Texas Dream Act Would Discourage and Dissuade Texas Students from College Dreams – IDRA Testimony against CSHB 232, submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas House Committee on Higher Education, April 29, 2025
CSHB 232 Harms College Opportunities for Texas Students – TLEEC Testimony Against CSHB 232, submitted by Vivek Datla to the Texas House Committee on Higher Education, April 29, 2025
Bullying Based on Discrimination is an Epidemic – IDRA Testimony For HB 1405, submitted by Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D., to the Texas House Public Education Committee, April 29, 2025 – (see video 49:40 – 51:54)
Tools & Resources
Learn more about IDRA’s policy recommendations for Texas
See our Infographic: 5 Data Snacks on IDRA’s Policy Priorities
The Big Cost of Proposed Voucher Legislation, Data Map
How to Testify before the Texas Legislature, Infographic
Get more advocacy tips and videos on IDRA’s SEEN website.
Welcoming Immigrant Students, Infographic
