Judge orders Texas voucher program deadline extended amid controversy over exclusion of Islamic schools
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Judge orders Texas to extend voucher program deadline after Islamic schools were allegedly excluded from school choice initiative.
How This Affects You
Texas families with children may gain access to previously excluded private schools through the state voucher program.
AI Summary
U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett ordered Texas to extend its deadline for private schools to apply for the state's voucher program after ruling that Islamic schools appeared to have been excluded from the initiative. The judge described the apparent exclusion of Muslim schools as "troubling" and extended the application window to allow more time for those institutions to participate. The ruling addresses a civil rights lawsuit challenging whether the voucher program—which allows families to use state education funds at private schools—was administered in a way that discriminates against religious minorities. The extension gives Islamic schools a second opportunity to apply for funding previously unavailable to them. The case raises broader questions about whether school choice programs must ensure equal access regardless of religious affiliation.
What's Being Done
U.S. District Judge Alfred Bennett ordered Texas to extend its deadline for private schools to apply for the state's voucher program.
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
Civil RightsJudge orders better attorney access at Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz'
A federal judge has ruled that the immigration detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” must provide people detained there with better access to their attorneys
Civil RightsOfficials at Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ must give attorneys access to clients, judge rules
<p>Authorities must also provide detainees access to free and private legal phone calls and allow lawyers to visit unannounced</p><p>A federal judge ruled on Friday that officials at Florida’s state-run immigration jail, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz”, must give attorneys better access to their detained clients.</p><p>The <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flmd.446179/gov.uscourts.flmd.446179.243.0.pdf">order</a> by federal judge Sheri Polster Chappell, from the middle district of Florida, said facility officials must provide access to confidential, private, free and unmonitored outgoing legal telephone calls from people detained in the facility. Polster Chappell also ruled that attorneys are allowed to make unannounced visits to see their clients, bypassing the facility’s pre-scheduling requirement.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/28/florida-alligator-alcatraz-attorneys-access-clients">Continue reading...</a>
Civil Rights“Flagrant Violation”: Judge Orders Return of Mother Deported Despite DACA
On Monday, a federal judge in California ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return to the United States of a Sacramento mother who was detained at her February green card interview and deported to Mexico within 24 hours. Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez had active protection from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood […]
Government TransparencyFEMA resumes disaster mitigation program following judge's order
FEMA will make $1 billion available for the BRIC program, which helps local governments harden against natural hazards like fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes.
PoliticsTexas Education Agency orders public schools to remove mentions of Cesar Chavez from lessons - The Texas Tribune
PoliticsJudge Orders Arrest of Matt Bevin, Former Kentucky Governor, for Contempt - The New York Times
Defense Secretary Hegseth intervened to stop promotions of Black and female officers
The four Army officers were on track to become one-star generals, NPR confirms. Defense secretary Pete Hegseth's involvement in the promotion process is highly unusual.
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Fentanyl found inside Barbies sold at Missouri discount store, police say
Senate deal reached to cap insulin costs
'The gravest crime against humanity': What does the UN vote on slavery mean?
Pentagon will remove media offices after judge reinstates NYT's press credentials
Washington ignores America's fiscal cliff
