The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has issued a warning to educators and school districts concerning the repercussions of political activism in schools, particularly related to anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstrations.
The TEA has clarified the potential consequences of allowing or encouraging student walkouts, emphasizing that:
- Students participating in these protests will be marked absent, which could jeopardize the school’s daily attendance funding.
- Teachers who facilitate such walkouts may face investigations and possible sanctions, including the revocation of their teaching licenses.
- School districts that support these activities could also be investigated and face penalties, including the appointment of monitors or conservators.
In response to the TEA’s directive, Taylor Carriker-Cavin, a teacher at Dobie Middle School in Austin ISD, expressed concern that threats against educators and districts create confusion and fear rather than support for students’ needs. She believes that schools should foster democratic participation and view activism as a valuable learning opportunity rather than a disruption.
This guidance from the TEA follows a directive from Governor Greg Abbott to investigate public schools, such as Austin ISD, after images surfaced on social media showing teachers participating in protests alongside students.
Governor Abbott has previously threatened to withhold funding from schools after significant student walkouts protesting ICE operations and immigration policies. In light of upcoming protests, Hutto Mayor Mike Snyder emphasized the importance of student safety and clarity from the state, highlighting the challenges faced by districts in managing these situations.
“If you respond in a manner that is viewed as supportive of a walkout, then you can be punished by the state,” Snyder remarked, questioning how districts are expected to maintain control when communication is restricted.
The TEA has stated that while it is unacceptable for educators to abandon students in unsafe situations, they also should not encourage students to leave school during instructional time.
“The TEA is putting ISDs in an extremely difficult position,” added Mayor Snyder, noting the conflicting pressures on schools to manage student behavior without clear guidance.
School districts are consistently reminding the public that these protests are not officially sanctioned activities. Governor Abbott reiterated on social media that taxpayer-funded schools should focus on education rather than facilitating student protests.
Recent anti-ICE demonstrations have occurred at Leander and Elgin high schools, with additional walkouts planned at Hays CISD, Bastrop ISD, and Manor ISD in the coming days.
In a related incident, Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright reported that a 12-year-old boy from Simon Middle School became lost during a protest, walking over five miles before finding another school where he was safely reunited with his parents.
