By — Stephanie Sy Stephanie Sy Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/state-lawmakers-seek-greater-control-over-what-universities-can-teach Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Democrats in Texas will head to Austin with power they haven't had in decades. One of the many questions is whether they will try to reverse changes made at universities in recent years by Republicans. Texas is not alone. More than half of all college students are enrolled in a state limiting what can be taught or how campuses operate. Stephanie Sy reports for our series, Rethinking College. Listen to this Segment By — Stephanie Sy Stephanie Sy Stephanie Sy is a PBS News Hour correspondent. Throughout her career, she served in anchor and correspondent capacities for ABC News, Al Jazeera America, CBSN, CNN International, and PBS News Hour Weekend. Prior to joining News Hour, she was with Yahoo News where she anchored coverage of the 2018 Midterm Elections and reported from Donald Trump’s victory party on Election Day 2016.
State lawmakers seek greater control over what universities can teach
In short
Political battles over public university curricula have expanded significantly, leaving a majority of students nationwide subject to state-level restrictions on instruction and campus administration. In Texas, Democratic lawmakers are preparing to convene in Austin armed with a level of legislative leverage they have not experienced in decades. Observers are watching closely to see if they will mobilize this new influence to challenge and dismantle the extensive higher education measures previously passed by Republican majorities.
Key points
- Campus curriculum limits have rapidly become the operational standard for a majority of A…: Campus curriculum limits have rapidly become the operational standard for a majority of American college students.
- Shifting legislative leverage in Texas could soon prompt a formal contest over recent con…: Shifting legislative leverage in Texas could soon prompt a formal contest over recent conservative higher education policies.
- State legislatures are increasingly driving policy decisions that determine what can be t…: State legislatures are increasingly driving policy decisions that determine what can be taught in university classrooms.