North Texas School Districts Reject SB 11 Prayer Policy

Grand Prairie, Irving, and Cleburne ISDs vote down measure as March 1 deadline approaches

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Several North Texas school districts, including Grand Prairie, Irving, and Cleburne ISDs, have voted against implementing Senate Bill 11, which would allow a daily period for prayer and the reading of religious texts during the school day. Parents must consent for their child to participate. Other districts, such as Dallas ISD, have signaled they will not adopt the policy, citing concerns over religious freedom and potential chaos in classrooms.

Why it matters

The rejection of SB 11 by these school districts highlights the ongoing debate over the role of religion in public schools and the balance between protecting religious expression and maintaining a secular educational environment. The legislation has faced criticism from some community members and education professionals who argue it could disrupt the learning process and infringe on students' rights.

The details

At least five Metroplex school districts are voting on whether to adopt the SB 11 policy, and many are leaning against it. On Tuesday, Grand Prairie ISD, Irving ISD, and Cleburne ISD all voted not to implement the measure. Some community members expressed concerns that the bill poses a threat to religious freedom and could lead to chaos in classrooms, as students who do not have parental consent would have to leave the room during the prayer or religious reading period.

  • On Tuesday, Grand Prairie ISD, Irving ISD, and Cleburne ISD voted on the SB 11 policy.
  • Dallas ISD will take up the issue on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
  • The March 1, 2026 deadline is approaching for districts to decide whether to adopt the SB 11 policy.

The players

Grand Prairie ISD

A school district in North Texas that voted against implementing the SB 11 prayer policy.

Irving ISD

A school district in North Texas that voted against implementing the SB 11 prayer policy.

Cleburne ISD

A school district in North Texas that voted against implementing the SB 11 prayer policy.

Dallas ISD

A school district in North Texas that has signaled it will not adopt the SB 11 prayer policy.

Cal Jillson

A political science professor at SMU who believes the SB 11 legislation is unnecessary, as students already have the individual right to pray or join religious clubs at school.

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What they’re saying

“I'm disturbed at the threat that I think this bill poses to religious freedom as protected in the First Amendment.”

— Grand Prairie parent (cbsnews.com)

“SB 11 states that any student or staff member who does not have a signed form to participate in the prayer or religious reading must leave the room. Can you imagine the chaos?”

— Former Irving ISD teacher and resident (cbsnews.com)

“I'm not surprised, because the people who are making these decisions are educational professionals, and they know what their principle task is, it's to teach these students prepare for adult life and they want them to have strong religious principle but they don't want to teach them in school.”

— Cal Jillson, SMU political science professor (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Dallas ISD will take up the SB 11 policy on Thursday, February 26, 2026, and is expected to vote against adopting the measure.

The takeaway

The rejection of the SB 11 prayer policy by these North Texas school districts highlights the ongoing debate over the role of religion in public schools and the need to balance protecting religious expression with maintaining a secular educational environment. Education professionals are wary of policies that could disrupt the learning process or infringe on students' rights.