Texas Education Agency Reviewing Claim of Teachers "Socially Transitioning" Student Against Parents’ Will
A heated controversy is brewing in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) as the Texas Education Agency (TEA) reviews a claim that teachers at Bellaire High School were "socially transitioning" a student against the will of their parents. The claim was made by Denise Bell, chair of the Harris County chapter of Moms for Liberty, a political organization known for its anti-LGBTQ+ views and opposition to teaching critical race theory and gender identity.
The Controversy
According to Bell, an anonymous Bellaire parent was upset that teachers were calling the student by a different name and pronoun than their biological sex, and had even gone as far as to cross out the student’s legal name on a paper and write their chosen name in red ink. Bell made these claims during a recent HISD board meeting, sparking a heated debate about the role of teachers in supporting students who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming.
Governor’s Response
Texas Governor Greg Abbott quickly responded to the controversy, calling for the TEA to investigate HISD and stating that "no parent should have to endure this." Abbott tied the situation to his push for a school voucher-like program in Texas, one of his priorities during the biennial state legislative session that began in January.
"Another reason why parents deserve school choice," Abbott wrote. "No school should be involved in ‘transitioning’ a child. If this is not already illegal, it will be after this session. I have instructed TEA to investigate this matter."
TEA Review
The TEA has confirmed that it is "reviewing the matter," but has not provided further information or clarification. The agency took control of HISD in 2023, installing a state-appointed superintendent and board of managers, following a string of failing ratings from the agency for Wheatley High School.
Background on Gender-Related Policies
Gender-related policies at schools have become a hot topic in the Houston area, with trustees for two large suburban districts – Katy ISD and Cy-Fair ISD – passing protocols requiring staff to notify parents if a student asks to use pronouns that differ from their biological sex. Katy ISD’s policy is currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for possibly being discriminatory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the claim made by Moms for Liberty?
A: The claim is that teachers at Bellaire High School were "socially transitioning" a student against the will of their parents, using different names and pronouns than their biological sex.
Q: What is the response from Governor Greg Abbott?
A: Abbott has called for the TEA to investigate HISD, stating that "no parent should have to endure this" and tying the situation to his push for a school voucher-like program in Texas.
Q: What is the current status of the TEA’s review?
A: The TEA has confirmed that it is "reviewing the matter," but has not provided further information or clarification.
Q: What are the implications for gender-related policies in schools?
A: The controversy highlights ongoing debates around gender-related policies in schools, with some districts requiring staff to notify parents if a student asks to use pronouns that differ from their biological sex, while others are under investigation for potentially discriminatory practices.
