School districts that “facilitate” student walkouts for protests will be investigated and teachers could lose their licenses if they allow “instances of inappropriate political activism,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Twitter today.
He also threatened to strip funding for districts that allow “disruptive” walkouts and warned of potential takeover of school districts that don’t comply with his orders.
Education Commissioner Mike Morath also was directed to investigate a social media post showing Austin ISD students participating in nationwide walkouts against recent killings of several people by federal immigration officers, the Texas Tribune reported.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today issued new guidance outlining consequences for students, teachers and school districts who participate in or allow protests.
Schools that do not mark students as absent risk losing daily attendance-funding if they allow or encourage students to walk out of class.
Teachers who facilitate walkouts will be subject to investigation and sanctions including licensure revocation. School systems that facilitate walkouts will be subject to investigation and sanctions, including the appointment of a monitor, conservator or board of managers.
TEA posted a new document with guidelines about attendance, complaints and educator responsibilities on its website.
Abbott’s orders follow anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) student walkouts Friday at more than 10 San Antonio-area schools including Canyon and Smithson Valley high schools and both New Braunfels high schools.
A Davenport High School student said school officials there locked the doors so students couldn’t leave the building. Instead, they held hands and prayed.
Thursday, Comal ISD warned parents their students could face disciplinary actions for protesting and suggested views should be channeled through classroom instruction and student organizations.
Friday, New Braunfels ISD said students who protested at its two high schools also would be counted absent.
Both schools monitored the protest closely and remained in communication with district safety personnel and law enforcement.
“At no time was student or staff safety compromised,” NBISD said on social media.
Over 500 students walked out at multiple schools in Hays Consolidated ISD north of Canyon Lake Monday and headed toward downtown Kyle.
Arrests that followed were related to a student refusing to hand over alcohol to police, and the alleged assault of a student by a grown man adjacent to student protestors at Johnson High School — not the protests themselves, according to statements by Buda police and Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra.
Abbott said they were, warning schools and staff who “allowed” this behavior should be treated as co-conspirators.
A teacher at Hays ISD was placed on administrative leave after pictures circulated online of him displaying protest signs with profanity, Texas Tribune reported today.
Four-term Texas State Rep. Erin Zwiener, who represents Dripping Springs, San Marcos and Buda, pushed back at the governor today on social media. saying he was using an isolated incident as a wedge to attack student protesters and the schools.
Students have a constitutionally protected right to free speech and protest, and teachers are not allowed to lock students in the school and cannot target them for discipline based on their political speech, she said.
“I’m grateful to the law enforcement officers who protected students’ safety on our busy roadways yesterday, grateful to Hays CISD for respecting the limitation of the First Amendment and communicating with law enforcement about what they knew of the students’ plans, and grateful to the student leaders for being active participants in our Democracy.”
In a statement Monday, Hays CISD said skipping classes is not allowed but said teachers and campus administrators who were not teaching at the time monitored the protest on campus before law enforcement officers took over.
Citing a 1969 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, the district said it recognizes that students in public schools retain their First Amendment rights.
“The district hope that all students, regardless of their positions or choices whether to participate in the protests, will use this as a learning opportunity to better understand their rights and freedoms, and the responsibilities that accompany them.”