Texas Tops U.S. in Efforts to Restrict Classroom Discussions on Race and Gender

According to a recent report by PEN America, Texas is a national leader in the implementation of educational silence orders, which are designed to restrict the discussion of race, gender, and LGBTQ+ issues in educational environments. The study, *America's Censored Classrooms 2024: Refining the Art of Censorship,* examines legislative initiatives in the United States from 2021 to 2024, with a particular emphasis on their influence on higher education.

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Educational embargo orders are defined by PEN America as laws or policies that prohibit educators from teaching or discussing specific topics, particularly those that are associated with race and identity. The report indicates that Texas suggested 15 such measures during the study period, which is a higher number than nearly any other state. House Bill 3979 and Senate Bill 3, which were both enacted in 2021, are notable examples of legislation that forbids the instruction of critical race theory in public institutions.

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The report observes a change in 2024, in contrast to previous measures that explicitly targeted critical race theory or initiatives such as the New York Times' 1619 Project. The new bills place a greater emphasis on broader objectives, such as "institutional neutrality" or "viewpoint diversity." Critics contend that these terms are a cover for attempts to restrict discussions on contentious topics, portraying them as neutralizing political discourse in classrooms.

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PENS The findings of America demonstrate the evolution of educational censorship, with Texas continuing to be at the forefront of this trend. Critics contend that Texas' legislation limits educators' capacity to comprehensively address complex social issues in their curricula.

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