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2d ago

Texas Teachers Union Sues to Halt State Probes of Educators’ Posts About Charlie Kirk

The filing argues the probes chill protected speech, following a directive from Commissioner Mike Morath that spurred hundreds of complaints.

Educators gather to rally in support of the "Educator's Bill of Rights" at the outdoor rotunda in the Texas Capitol Monday, March 17, 2025. Teachers met with lawmakers as a part of Texas American Federation of Teachers advocacy day, asking for reforms such as a defined work day, reliable pensions and an increase in state funding to public schools.
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Overview

  • Texas AFT filed a federal lawsuit on Jan. 6 seeking an injunction to stop TEA investigations, a retraction of Morath’s guidance, and new instructions clarifying that legally protected speech need not be reported.
  • The TEA says it received more than 350 complaints tied to educators’ posts about Kirk, with 95 cases still under review and the rest dismissed or unsubstantiated.
  • Morath’s letter urged superintendents to report “inappropriate” social-media content for potential educator code-of-ethics violations, and he and Gov. Greg Abbott have said posts inciting violence could lead to license suspension.
  • The union’s suit cites members placed on leave, reprimanded, or fired by local districts, noting examples across Texas including Klein, Wylie, and Jourdanton ISDs, and referencing one settled wrongful termination claim.
  • The complaint says educators can be temporarily placed on the statewide Do Not Hire list during reviews and contends the investigations have deterred teachers from speaking on matters of public concern.