Every student should receive a high-quality education in a safe environment that prepares them for their future. This fundamental promise of our democracy is under attack in Texas.
When education reflects and affirms all students, it prepares them to thrive. Yet, Texas public schools have become increasingly unwelcoming, even hostile, to Black, Brown, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, and religious minority students. Young people deserve better than censorship, discrimination, and bullying from state politicians and special interest groups. Our state is diverse and our schools should reflect this diversity.
The following resources are designed to help K-12 students, parents, educators, and advocates create inclusive schools where students are safe, supported, and treated with dignity:
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1969 that students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate. No matter their race, gender, or background, every Texas student is promised the opportunity to learn in an environment where they feel valued and can think for themselves.
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State lawmakers are working to ban any K-12 programs and activities that mention race or gender. Let's be clear: Every student deserves to see themselves reflected in school programs and activities. That's not just good education policy — it's their constitutional right.
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Senate Bill 12 (89R) is a sprawling, discriminatory, and unconstitutional law that includes a ban on all activities and programs that mention race, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation in Texas public schools.
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Senate Bill 12 (89R) is a sprawling, discriminatory, and unconstitutional law that includes a ban on all activities and programs that mention race, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation in Texas public schools.
From the state legislature to the school board, Texas officials are banning books that students rely on to learn about themselves and the world around them. Instead of trying to shield students from reality, we should prepare them for their futures.
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Texas politicians are trying to force state-sponsored religion into our public schools through unlicensed chaplains, religious curricula, public displays of religious texts, and more. Enjoying the freedom to decide whether and how to be religious is a core part of what makes us Texan.
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Many Texas public schools have dress code policies that shame and penalize students for simply showing up in the classroom as their authentic selves. No student should ever be punished for being who they are.
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State and school officials are threatening LGBTQIA+ students’ education and safety by banning the bathrooms they can use, the health care they can get, the sports they can play, and more. Texas classrooms should be a place where students of all races, genders, and sexualities are respected for who they are.
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Learn how students, educators, and community members can get involved and advocate for students’ rights.
STUDENTS
EDUCATORS
PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND ADVOCATES
STUDENTS
EDUCATORS
PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND ADVOCATES
Witness what Texas students have to share about the books that inspire them, their experiences at school, and their visions for the future:
Each one of us has a role to play in ensuring that Texas students get a quality education in an inclusive environment — free from unconstitutional government overreach.
The ACLU of Texas has a long history of advocating with and for K-12 students, including our efforts to end the School to Prison Pipeline. We are grateful to work with our partners and coalitions like Teach the Truth, SEAT, Texas Freedom to Read Project, Texans for the Right to Read, and the All in For Equality Coalition.