Texas AG Files Lawsuit Against Coppell ISD Over Critical Race Theory Allegations
Overview of the Lawsuit
Coppell, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against the Coppell Independent School District (CISD) following allegations that district officials engaged in practices related to critical race theory (CRT) that violate state law.
The Basis of the Complaint
The lawsuit stems from a video that surfaced on social media on February 25, 2025, published by Accuracy In Media. In this footage, a Coppell ISD official is purportedly seen discussing techniques to bypass state-imposed restrictions on the teaching of CRT, indicating that the district had been circumventing the law by claiming they were not explicitly teaching CRT.
During the recorded conversation, the administrator suggested that the district would continue to pursue educational practices that align with their interpretation of what is “right,” despite state guidelines. The official reportedly advised that teachers could simply close their doors to privately address the curriculum without stating it outright.
Details of the Allegations
The lawsuit asserts that Coppell ISD continues to apply a “Next Generation Science Standards-ish” curriculum, which has not received approval from the State Board of Education. Furthermore, it mentions that educational materials related to “environmental education” utilizing similar frameworks have previously been rejected by the state.
Legal Objectives and Consequences
The state of Texas does not seek monetary compensation; instead, the primary goal is to obtain injunctive relief. This entails securing a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction that would prohibit the Coppell ISD personnel from teaching CRT, as well as prevent the use of state or local resources for the development or dissemination of CRT-related materials.
Statement from the Attorney General
Attorney General Paxton emphasized the importance of adherence to state education laws, stating, “Liberal administrators who want to ignore state law and unlawfully push divisive and racist CRT curriculum in classrooms will be held responsible for their actions.” He asserted that Texas students deserve an education free from what he describes as “woke ideology.”
Understanding Critical Race Theory
Critical Race Theory is an academic framework that examines the ways in which systemic racism is ingrained in U.S. laws, policies, and institutions. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund describes it as an approach that challenges the perception of a “colorblind” society.
Texas Legislative Context
The legal foundation for this lawsuit is rooted in SB 3, a Texas law enacted in 2021. This statute prohibits K-12 educators from teaching that any race or sex is inherently superior, or that individuals are inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive due to their race or gender. Additionally, the law allows teachers the discretion to refrain from discussing controversial social issues unless handled objectively and without political bias.
Response from Coppell ISD
As of now, Coppell ISD has not publicly commented on the ongoing lawsuit. FOX 4 News has reached out for further information.
Conclusion
The outcome of this legal challenge may have significant implications for educational practices in Texas, particularly concerning the teaching of topics related to race and equality.
