Texas officials have moved to exclude schools connected to the Chinese Communist Party or groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations from a new statewide school choice initiative. Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a legal opinion affirming the state's authority to block such institutions from receiving taxpayer funds. The program, set to launch soon, will provide $1 billion in scholarships for educational expenses.
With the rollout of Texas's ambitious Education Freedom Account program approaching, state leaders are taking steps to safeguard public funds. On Saturday, Attorney General Ken Paxton released an opinion that empowers acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock to reject applications from schools linked to America's adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and organizations associated with radical Islam.
Hancock, responsible for overseeing the program, revealed that his office has flagged more than a handful of institutions with concerning connections. "There were several schools in Texas that are connected to the Chinese Communist Party, and those that hosted events [with] or are potentially connected to [the Council on American-Islamic Relations]," he told reporters. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), described as a civil rights group with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, was labeled a terrorist organization by Governor Greg Abbott last November.
The initiative allocates $1 billion to help parents cover approved education costs, such as private school tuition. Hancock's team has already approved 1,457 schools statewide but paused those accredited by Cognia—a nonprofit that evaluates many charter and private institutions—due to potential risks. Now, with Paxton's backing, clean Cognia-accredited schools can proceed. "Our priority was protecting taxpayer dollars to make sure that they didn’t end up in the hands of groups that support terrorist activity or were hostile to the United States," Hancock emphasized.
Vetting remains ongoing, with examples including providers accredited by agencies that co-hosted events with CAIR and a school possibly owned by a CCP-linked group. CAIR's Texas chapter has threatened legal action, arguing that scrutiny based on past interactions constitutes discrimination. "Comptroller Hancock cannot bar private schools from this program because of their real or imagined interactions with CAIR-Texas," the group stated, demanding equal access for Muslim schools without delays.
Governor Abbott endorsed the opinion, stating it ensures taxpayer dollars avoid schools tied to CAIR or nations like China, which he has designated as foreign terrorist entities. Parents can apply for scholarships starting February 4 through March 17.
