Texas University Curriculum Control Bill Advances in Legislature
A contentious bill that would give state officials unprecedented power over public university curricula has cleared a major legislative hurdle in Texas. The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1736, passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday by a 7-4 vote along party lines.
I’ve covered education policy battles for nearly two decades, and this measure represents one of the most significant attempts to reshape higher education governance I’ve witnessed. The bill would establish a state-appointed commission with authority to review and potentially veto courses at Texas public universities.
“This legislation ensures taxpayer dollars support education that prepares students for the workforce, not political indoctrination,” said Senator Brandon Creighton, the bill’s primary sponsor, during committee testimony.
Critics, however, warn the measure threatens academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Dr. Eleanor Vasquez, President of the Texas Association of University Professors, told me during an interview at the Capitol that the bill “fundamentally misunderstands how curriculum development works and inserts political oversight into scholarly matters.”
Data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shows the state’s 37 public universities currently manage approximately 12,700 degree programs serving over 700,000 students. This legislation would subject these programs to review by a nine-member commission appointed by the governor.
The bill specifically targets courses related to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which supporters claim promote divisive ideologies. However, according to a University of Texas survey, 68% of students report these programs improve campus climate.
During my years covering education policy, I’ve noticed how curriculum battles often reflect broader cultural divisions. Last month, while reporting from a faculty senate meeting at Texas State University, I observed professors expressing concern about legislative interference in academic matters they’ve spent careers developing expertise in.
“Universities have established rigorous peer review processes for curriculum development,” explained Dr. Michael Hernandez, a political science professor at the University of Houston. “This bill suggests politicians know better than subject matter experts what students should learn.”
The legislation comes amid similar efforts in Florida and other states where Republican lawmakers have sought greater control over higher education content. According to the American Association of University Professors, 17 states have introduced bills targeting academic freedom since 2021.
Campaign finance records reviewed by Epochedge show that major donors to legislators supporting the bill include several politically active foundations that have publicly advocated for “traditional education values” and curriculum oversight.
Financial implications remain unclear. The Legislative Budget Board estimates implementation costs at approximately $2.3 million over the next biennium, but university administrators suggest the regulatory burden could be substantially higher.
“We’ll need additional compliance staff at each institution,” said Raymond Washington, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the Texas State University System. “That’s money that could otherwise support student services or contain tuition costs.”
At yesterday’s marathon committee hearing, I watched as more than 40 students, faculty members, and education advocates testified against the measure. Many wore academic regalia or carried signs reading “Protect Academic Freedom” and “Politicians ≠ Professors.”
The bill now moves to the full Senate, where Republicans hold a 19-12 majority. Governor Greg Abbott has signaled support for the measure, calling it a “necessary reform” on social media last week.
For Sarah Montez, a junior studying engineering at UT-Austin who testified against the bill, the stakes feel personal. “I chose my university because of its reputation for academic excellence,” she told lawmakers. “This bill threatens the very quality of education I’m paying for.”
Proponents counter that the legislation protects students from political bias. “Too many classrooms have become echo chambers for progressive ideologies,” argued James Williamson from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank that helped draft the bill.
As someone who’s reported on Texas politics for over fifteen years, I recognize the familiar pattern of partisan education battles. Yet the scope of this particular legislation marks a significant escalation.
The Texas Faculty Association has already announced plans to challenge the law in court if passed, arguing it violates constitutional protections for academic freedom established in Supreme Court precedents including Sweezy v. New Hampshire.
The bill’s fate should be decided before the legislative session ends on May 31. Whatever the outcome, its consideration signals a shifting landscape for higher education governance in Texas and potentially nationwide.
For more analysis on education policy, visit Epochedge Politics and follow our ongoing coverage of this developing story at Epochedge News.
