Texas Gov. Abbott Threatens Funding Cuts Over Student Walkouts

State may penalize school districts that allow or encourage anti-ICE protests during class time.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has warned that the state may take action against school districts and educators who allow or encourage student walkouts to protest federal immigration policies and enforcement. Abbott said the state's education commissioner will investigate potential violations and could deny funding to districts that do not mark absent students who participate in the walkouts.

Why it matters

The threat of funding cuts is seen as a way for the state to discourage schools from supporting or enabling student activism around controversial political issues like immigration. This raises concerns about free speech rights and the ability of students to engage in civic participation.

The details

Abbott said the Texas Education Agency may deny daily attendance funding to school districts that allow students to miss class for the walkouts. He also said teachers who facilitate the walkouts could face investigations and potential sanctions, including the loss of their teaching licenses. The state attorney general's office has already said it will investigate whether school districts 'orchestrated' the recent student protests.

  • On February 17, 2026, Texas Governor Greg Abbott made the comments about potential funding cuts and investigations during an early voting news conference.
  • In recent weeks, there have been dozens of student walkouts and protests in Central Texas tied to federal immigration enforcement.

The players

Greg Abbott

The current Governor of Texas, who has threatened to take action against school districts and educators over student walkouts protesting federal immigration policies.

Texas Education Agency (TEA)

The state agency that oversees public education in Texas, and which Abbott said may deny funding to districts that allow students to miss class for walkouts.

Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG)

The state attorney general's office, which has said it will investigate whether school districts 'orchestrated' the recent student protests.

Ryker Davis

An Austin High School senior who participated in one of the recent student walkouts, saying the protests are about 'standing up for the constitution and what America really stands for.'

Kenneth Walker

The general counsel for Austin Independent School District, who defended the district's handling of the student walkouts in a letter responding to allegations from the Texas Attorney General.

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What they’re saying

“We are trying to stand up for the constitution and what America really stands for.”

— Ryker Davis, Austin High School senior (KXAN)

“As I am sure you would agree, Texas law does not contemplate using any degree of force to compel student attendance.”

— Kenneth Walker, Austin ISD General Counsel (KXAN)

What’s next

The Texas Education Agency has said it will launch investigations into school districts and educators based on information it believes shows they may have violated standards by facilitating the student walkouts. The state could move to deny funding or take other punitive actions against districts and teachers found to be in violation.

The takeaway

This conflict highlights the tension between students' right to free speech and civic engagement, and the state's efforts to discourage political activism in public schools. The threat of funding cuts raises concerns about whether Texas is trying to suppress student dissent on controversial issues like immigration enforcement.