Texas won’t use state funding to educate immigrant children housed in federal detention.
The Texas Education Agency told a charter school group that local schools wanting to serve migrant students in federal custody can’t do so with state education funding, according to a letter obtained by the Houston Chronicle. Texas officials say schools still could voluntarily provide help to shelters.
The wave of minors who have crossed the border into the United States has raised questions about what role, if any, states should play in educating them. Texas officials say it is the federal government’s responsibility.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requires school-aged children housed in shelters to have their educational needs assessed within three days of arrival, to receive six hours of structured instruction on weekdays, and to receive special education services if they are eligible.
