Texas Schools Face Major Changes in 2025

The Texas legislative session has wrapped up. Bills have been vetoed or signed into law. Over the past several months, there have been heated debates and plenty of controversy.

Several bills were introduced this year regarding schools and education. This upcoming school year could look a little different in Texas.

Senate Bill 2 And The School Voucher Program

One of the most controversial was the 'school choice' bill. This bill, Senate Bill 2, was signed into law by Governor Abbott in early May.

Debates raged regarding the "school voucher" program, which would set aside $1 billion to be used to offset costs for private school tuition and other education costs for qualifying children. The program will launch in time for the 2026 - 2027 school year.

Will Students Be Allowed to Use Phones at School?

Another focus of legislators this session was the use of cellphones by students while on campus. House Bill 1481 tackled the issue, and Governor Abbott signed it into law.

House Bill 1481 requires schools to prohibit the use of cellphones, smartwatches, tablets, and other communication devices during the school day.

As you can imagine, there are a lot of parents who aren't very happy with the idea of this bill. If there is an emergency, parents want to be able to contact their children. Supporters of the bill, though, say it will increase academic performance and curb tech addiction.

Are the Ten Commandments Returning to Texas Classrooms?

The Governor did sign off on the bill that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom in Texas. Senate Bill 10 even includes instructions on how big the version of the Ten Commandments should be and where it should be placed.

Lawsuits are already brewing over the bill, with opponents saying it is a direct violation of the separation of church and state. Supporters of the bill claim the Ten Commandments are a historical document, and it's just honoring a part of our shared history.

How Religion Is Being Integrated Into School Days

That bill wasn't the only one this session to raise concerns about religion in schools.. Senate Bill 11 was signed into law. It creates a period of time during the school day that can be used for reading religious texts or prayer.