Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) shared a legal victory this week over the Austin Independent School District (ISD), announcing that the district must fully comply with Texas’ ban on teaching Critical Race Theory (CRT) in public schools.
The attorney general’s order urges the AISD superintendent to ensure that principals and staff follow the Texas Education Code, which prohibits CRT instruction. The ruling also bans staff from advising parents or students on ways to circumvent the law. Any questions regarding compliance must now be directed to designated administrator.
In a statement, Attorney General Paxton argued that “critical race theory is anti-American propaganda and in no world will I allow the woke indoctrination of Texas children.” “While this order is an important step forward, I want to make clear to any school district considering any breach of this law: we will be watching,” he vowed.
“My office stands ready to defend Texas law and the rights of parents against any unlawful implementation of CRT.”
According to the attorney general’s office, the order follows an investigation into AISD, which revealed that district officials made statements indicating the use of materials linked to the 1619 Project, a Pulitzer Prize-winning initiative examining the legacy of slavery in America.
Investigators also found evidence that staff were being instructed on “ways to get around” Texas’ prohibition on CRT.
The court order requires AISD to reverse course and enforce compliance with state law district wide.
Attorney General Paxton has gone after school districts over their implementation of CRT, vowing to rid the state of alleged "anti-American" teachings.
Earlier this year, he resolved a lawsuit with Coppell ISD, citing that the district had agreed to comply with state law on teaching CRT in the classroom.
