(Texas Scorecard) – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that his office has initiated legal proceedings against the Austin Independent School District, accusing the district of violating state law by promoting Critical Race Theory in the classroom.
The legal action seeks to depose Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura and members of the district’s board of trustees as part of an investigation into what Paxton’s office alleges is an “unwritten policy” of advancing CRT through curriculum and instruction, despite a state ban.
According to a release from Paxton’s office, the move comes after officials received information that Austin ISD employees had referenced materials related to the controversial “1619 Project,” which has been explicitly prohibited in Texas classrooms.
One employee also allegedly stated there were “ways to get around” the state ban on CRT, and that district leadership played an active role in shaping related policy decisions.
“It’s outrageous that Austin ISD officials think they can ignore state law to put woke indoctrination in Texas classrooms,” said Paxton. “My office has begun the legal process to depose Austin ISD leaders, and we will fully investigate the district’s policies involving the teaching of illegal CRT curriculum to make sure state law is enforced. I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Texas school officials are focused on helping students receive a world-class education, not subject them to liberal, anti-American ideology.”
Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 3979 in 2021, limiting critical race theory in public school instruction. The law was further strengthened in subsequent legislative sessions and explicitly prohibits teaching that one race or sex is inherently superior or that individuals should feel discomfort based on their race or sex.
An Austin ISD spokesperson told Texas Scorecard they do not comment on pending litigation.