School Policies for 2025-26 in Texas: Prohibition on Cell Phones; Promotion of Prayer; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
Texas lawmakers have passed several new laws affecting students, effective from the 2025-26 school year. Here's a roundup of some key changes:
School Funding Distribution
House Bill 2, the new school funding bill, increases Texas public education funding by $8.5 billion. The bill emphasizes strengthening public school finances and represents a historic investment in Texas education. Notably, $4.2 billion is dedicated to teacher and staff pay raises, and nearly $2 billion is earmarked for early childhood education.
Separately, Senate Bill 2 establishes an Education Savings Account (ESA) program, providing about $11,000 to $12,000 per K-12 student attending accredited private schools starting with the 2026-2027 school year. ESA funds, totaling a $1 billion initial budget, will be distributed by a needs-based lottery system prioritizing family financial buckets. Homeschool families are eligible to spend up to $2,000 on designated educational expenses through ESA but must opt into the program.
Cell Phone Policies
House Bill 1481, effective June 20, 2025, requires school districts to have written policies restricting student use of personal communication devices on school property by September 18, 2025. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has allocated $20 million in grant funding to assist districts in implementing secure storage solutions (lockers, pouches) for these devices, especially prioritizing rural and high-poverty districts.
Ten Commandments Displays and Prayer in Schools
The provided search results do not include specific information regarding mandates or provisions on displaying the Ten Commandments or authorizing prayer in schools as part of the 2025 Texas school funding bill.
Changes to School Suspensions
No detailed information was found in the search results regarding changes to school suspension policies in the 2025 legislation.
Parental Control Over School Library Materials
The search results do not explicitly mention any new policies empowering parents regarding control over library materials in public schools stemming from the 2025 legislation.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Practices
There is no specific mention of DEI-related legislation or changes in the school funding bill in the results provided.
Sexual Orientation Teachings
The search results contain no details on any provisions related to teachings about sexual orientation in the school funding bill or related 2025 legislation.
Personal Financial Literacy
No references were found in the search results about requirements or initiatives regarding personal financial literacy in the 2025 Texas school funding legislation.
Food Additives in School Meals
The search results do not indicate any new regulations or changes concerning food additives in school meal programs within the discussed legislation.
Rules for Ejecting Spectators at UIL Events
The search documents do not include information about rules for ejecting spectators at University Interscholastic League (UIL) events.
Device Policies
Senate Bill 12 requires public schools to adopt policies prohibiting students from using personal communication devices during school hours. Schools must either prohibit students from bringing devices on campus or provide a way for students to store their devices while on school property. Schools must have punishments in place for students who are found using the devices.
Ten Commandments Posters
Senate Bill 10 requires schools to post a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, effective Sept. 1. The poster must be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall and legible to a person with average vision from anywhere in the classroom.
Prayer and Bible Reading
Senate Bill 11 allows Texas public schools to adopt a policy to allow students and employees to participate in a voluntary daily period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts, effective Sept. 1. However, it does not mandate that schools must allow prayer or religious texts reading.
Out-of-School Suspension Expansion
"Repeated and significant" classroom disruption or threats to the health and safety of other children can now be met with out-of-school suspension, in a reversal of prior state laws that limited the punishment's use.
Senate Bill 12 Restrictions
Senate Bill 12 bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices and restricts teachings about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools, effective Sept. 1.
- The 2025 Texas school funding bill significantly increases public education funding, with a focus on early childhood education, teacher pay raises, and strengthening school finances, putting a historic investment in education at stake.
- Senate Bill 2, a part of the Texas school funding bill, establishes an Education Savings Account program, allowing families to use the funds for their child's education in accredited private schools, starting from the 2026-2027 school year.
- Separate from the school funding bill, Senate Bill 12 bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices and places restrictions on teachings about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools, effective from September 1, 2022.
