Texas Governor Seeks to Ban DEI Programs in K-12 Schools

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signaled his intent to ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 public schools, expanding a statewide prohibition already in place for colleges and universities. The announcement came during the first week of the 2025 legislative session, as Abbott vowed to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding such programs.

“No taxpayer dollars will be used to fund DEI in our schools,” Abbott said in a post on the social media platform X on Thursday. “Schools must focus on fundamentals of education, not indoctrination.” The governor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for further details on the proposal.

The push to extend the ban to K-12 schools follows the passage of Senate Bill 17 in 2023, which eliminated DEI offices, programs and training at publicly funded universities. Since then, universities across Texas have shuttered DEI initiatives, which previously supported underrepresented students, including Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ communities, in adjusting to campus life and fostering inclusivity.

Abbott’s comments were prompted by a social media post from Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the American Culture Project, which allegedly showed a Richardson school district official discussing accommodations for a transgender student on a field trip. The official, identified as the district’s executive DEI director, stated that decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis with parental input.

In response, Richardson school district officials clarified that students share rooms only with others of the same sex assigned at birth. “The district is not aware of any instance where this requirement was not followed,” said Tim Clark, the district’s executive director of communications. The district also emphasized compliance with anti-discrimination laws, including those governing student-athlete participation.

Abbott’s proposal aligns with broader efforts by Texas lawmakers to exert greater control over educational content and policies. During the 2023 legislative session, debates over school vouchers and public education funding dominated discussions, leaving many districts facing budget shortfalls. Abbott now claims to have the votes needed to pass a voucher program, which would allow parents to use tax dollars for private education, while also promising increased public education funding.

Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, chair of the Senate’s Education Committee and author of SB 17, praised Abbott’s stance. “SB 17 has become a model for the entire nation, and I am ready to expand the law to protect the 6 million students in Texas schools from failed, divisive DEI programs,” Creighton wrote on social media.

The move comes amid a national backlash against DEI initiatives, which gained momentum following the 2020 murder of George Floyd. While many institutions pledged to create more inclusive environments, state-level legislation has increasingly targeted such efforts, labeling them as politically motivated indoctrination.

As the 2025 legislative session progresses, Abbott’s proposal is expected to spark heated debates over the role of DEI in public education and the allocation of taxpayer funds. The outcome could have significant implications for Texas’ 5.5 million public school students and the broader national conversation on diversity and inclusion in education.