Texas students will return to school campuses this fall
HOUSTON — Texas students will be returning to public schools in person this fall, Gov. Greg Abbott told state lawmakers Thursday morning.
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has determined it will be safe for students to return to their campuses this fall.
School districts will not be required to mandate students wear masks or test them for COVID-19 symptoms, confirmed Frank Ward, a spokesperson for the Texas Education Agency.
The TEA will release additional guidance for school districts next Tuesday. Abbott has long said his intention is for students to return in-person this fall, saying this week that there will “definitely be higher safety standards in place than when they opened last year.”
According to state lawmakers on the 11 a.m. call with Abbott, school districts will be able to also offer instructional alternatives for students. National surveys have shown many parents do not feel safe sending their students back to the classrooms.
