Issues related to public school employment and students sometimes must be resolved above the campus or district levels. Some cases go to the Texas commissioner of education or State Board for Educator Certification; others are decided by the courts. TCTA reports on cases of interest in our emailed eUpdate newsletter. You'll also find those reports below.
Teacher sues principal after interference in school prayer event
Mar 13, 2026
A teacher sued her principal, alleging that he prohibited her from praying on school grounds whenever students might see her, in violation of her…
TCTA outlines educators' right to free speech as TEA investigates comments related to Kirk assassination
Sep 17, 2025
The right to free speech is a fundamental tenet of law in our society, but it is essential that educators be aware of both their rights and…
Judge grants injunction in Ten Commandments case
Aug 22, 2025
A group of parents and religious leaders filed a lawsuit against 11 school districts in Texas to challenge a statute requiring the display of a…
Booksellers win injunction against ratings for school libraries
Sep 21, 2023
HB 900, which was to go into effect on Sept. 1, is on hold pending the outcome of a lawsuit.
White student sues district, claiming race-based harassment over political beliefs
Jan 19, 2023
A white high school student sued his school district, alleging that he was subject to race-based harassment. A district court dismissed the lawsuit…
Supreme Court ruling supports coach who prays on field after games
Jul 15, 2022
A high school football coach sued his school district regarding his right to pray at games.
Supreme Court rules Maine cannot exclude religious schools from tuition aid
Jun 23, 2022
The Supreme Court says Maine violated the Constitution when it refused to make public funding available for students to attend religious schools.
Student sues, claims teacher retaliated after she refused to say, write Pledge of Allegiance
Jul 29, 2021
A student sued her former sociology teacher, alleging that he violated her First Amendment rights by attempting to compel her to write the Pledge of…
Supreme Court backs cheerleader's right to free speech
Jul 1, 2021
A cheerleader failed to make the varsity cheer squad. While visiting a local convenience store over the weekend, she posted two images on Snapchat.…
Firefighter claims First Amendment protects social media post
Oct 8, 2020
A firefighter sued the Houston Fire Department after he was transferred and suspended as the result of a post he made on social media. The post was…
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