Education

Help Texas LULAC amplify the voices of our marginalized communities! Donate today!

Stop Vouchers

Senate Bill 2

In October 2023, Texas Governor Abbott called a special legislative session to press legislators to establish Texas' first-ever private school voucher program, funded by all Texas taxpayers. Advocates and policymakers were able to stop voucher proposals in 2023 but the Texas Senate has once again introduced the priority voucher bill, Senate Bill 2, into the 2025 legislative session. You can say NO to vouchers by registering against SB 2 and/or staying to testify during committee hearings.

How These Vouchers Hurt Students:

Private school vouchers drain money from public schools

Funding private school vouchers means using taxpayer dollars to fund discrimination

Private school vouchers take scarce money from public schools - that serve 92% of Texas students - and give it to private school operators who are not accountable to taxpayers. Traditional public schools receive public funds, are operated by publicly-elected school boards, and should be held accountable by the communities, families, and students they serve.

Funding private school vouchers means using taxpayer dollars to fund discrimination

Private schools are not required to serve all students, so they can deny admission, enrollment, and educational services at their discretion. SB 2 requires private schools who accept funding from this bill to post a notice stating that the school is not required to comply with federal special education laws.

Private schools lack accountability for academic and financial performance

Voucher programs subsidize affluent students already attending private schools

Studies show that students who use vouchers to attend private school don't perform any better or have better academic outcomes than their public school peers. Private schools also have almost complete autonomy for how they operate, including how they manage their finances and what they are required to disclose to parents and the public.

Voucher programs subsidize affluent students already attending private schools

Most voucher programs fall short of covering the full cost of a private school education. The national average tuition for private school is more than 12,000 dollars. Diverting public money for private schools results in higher taxes for homeowners and businesses, and further segregate students.

The Battle over Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Senate Bill 17

Students of color are the majority enrolled in public schools and higher education institutions. Yet, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education are under assault through racial and ethnic distortions and harmful legislation catalyzed by Senate Bill 17. Under the guise of promoting meritocracy and colorblindness, SB17 has enabled universities across the state to dismantle DEI programs and curriculum revamping that threatens an ever-widening campaign of racial/ethnic, cultural, and linguistic suppression. It will lessen Latino faculty representation and leadership, as well as enrollment and graduation of the majority workforce for a future Texas. Eliminating DEI programs will also worsen structural barriers to higher education and economic mobility.

Learn how bills become law!

Important Committees

FLOT

TRUST Coalition

TLEEC

For the Love of Texas, A Unity Summit for Higher Education is a state summit initiated by Black Brown Dialogues on Policy to launch a campaign advocating for human and civil rights in higher education for all Texas colleges and universities. With implications for diversity, equity, and inclusion, academic freedom, free speech, and censorship, the summit focus is on equipping youth—as well as novices and community members—for civic engagement.

For more information on their meetings or how to get involved, please contact Angela Valenzuela at blackbrownpolicy@gmail.com.

Learn More

TLEEC

TRUST Coalition

TLEEC

Texas Legislative Education Equity Coalition is a collaborative of organizations and individuals with the mission to improve the quality of public education for all children, with a focus on racial equity. We advocate for fair funding, teaching quality, high-quality curriculum and instructional practices, quality bilingual education for English learners, and enhanced college access and success.

For more information about their regular meetings and to get involved contact Chloe Sikes at Chloe.sikes@idra.org.

Learn more

TRUST Coalition

TRUST is a coalition of business, religious, and advocacy organizations. Together, we advocate for policies that value immigrant Texans as neighbors who are vital, productive members of our community. We urge Texas state leaders to recognize immigrants as aspiring Texans deserving of equal opportunities to thrive as they contribute to our state’s economy.

For more information about their virtual meetings or how to get involved please contact Sarah Cruz at scruz@aclutx.org.

Learn more

Stop Vouchers

Senate Bill 2

How These Vouchers Hurt Students:

Private school vouchers drain money from public schools

Funding private school vouchers means using taxpayer dollars to fund discrimination

Funding private school vouchers means using taxpayer dollars to fund discrimination

Funding private school vouchers means using taxpayer dollars to fund discrimination

Funding private school vouchers means using taxpayer dollars to fund discrimination

Funding private school vouchers means using taxpayer dollars to fund discrimination

Private schools lack accountability for academic and financial performance

Voucher programs subsidize affluent students already attending private schools

Voucher programs subsidize affluent students already attending private schools

Voucher programs subsidize affluent students already attending private schools

Voucher programs subsidize affluent students already attending private schools

Voucher programs subsidize affluent students already attending private schools

The Battle over Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Senate Bill 17

School Crisis Playbook

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

School Crisis Playbook

Texas Observer

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

School Crisis Playbook

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

Educational Equity, Politics, & Policy in Texas

Important Committees

FLOT

TRUST Coalition

TLEEC

TLEEC

TRUST Coalition

TLEEC

TRUST Coalition

TRUST Coalition

TRUST Coalition

Read more about the effects of anti-DEI policies