Press Releases
Contact
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TFN Publications and Research Library
Click the link below for ground-breaking research from the Texas Freedom Network Education Fund on topics such as the religious right in Texas, public education and religious freedom.
TFN Publications & Research
TFN Newsletter Archive
2013 Press Releases
05.20.2013
CSCOPE Surrender Throws Hundreds of School Districts Under the Bus
05.15.2013
TFN Statement on Texas House Endorsement of Discrimination
04.19.2013 TFN President: SBOE Resolution Sends Strong Message Against Private School Vouchers
04.18.2013 SBOE Review of CSCOPE Curriculum System Already Raising Red Flags
04.17.2013 HB 285 Promotes Academic Fraud, Not Academic Freedom
04.04.2013 Texas Freedom Network President Praises House Passage of Budget Amendment Barring Public Funds for Private School Vouchers
03.14.2013 TFN President Calls on Texas Attorney General to Decline Award from Extremist Leader's Group
03.12.2013 TFN President Criticizes Senate Committee Passage of Reckless Anti-Sex Education Bill Today
03.04.2013 Texas Clergy Support Broad Access to Birth Control
02.19.2013 Poll: Broad Support in Texas for State-Funded Family Planning Services, Women's Access to Birth Control
02.19.2013 Encuesta: Amplio apoyo de hispanos en Texas para que el estado financie planificacion familiar y acceso a anticonceptivos
02.11.2013 SBOE Chair's Science Comments at Hearing Highlight Concerns over Her Appointment
02.07.2013 Proposed Legislation Adds News and Unnecessary Obstacles for Effective Sex Education in Texas Schools
02.05.2013 Texas SBOE Chair: Texts Should Teach 'Other Side' on Evolution
01.16.2013 Failure to Implement 2007 Legislation Undermines Study of the Bible in Texas Public Schools
2012 Press Releases
12.19.2012 TFN President: Tax Credit Vouchers Are a Racket That Benefits Corporations But Not Kids
11.07.2012 New Faces Must Take Texas State Board of Education in a New Direction
10.03.2012 TFN to Honor Biotech Entrepreneur, Youth Leaders at 17th Annual Celebration
10.01.2012 TFN Endorses 11 in Texas State Board of Education Elections
08.24.2012 TFN President Tells Senate Education Committee to Stop Wasting Time on Voucher Schemes
08.09.2012 TFN Commends Thomas Nelson Publishing for Pulling David Barton's Distorted Book on Thomas Jefferson
05.30.2012 Statement from TFN President Kathy Miller on State Board of Education Primary Results
04.02.2012 Fundraisers for Texas SBOE Incumbent's Campaign Raise Questions
01.10.2012 Pulitzer-Winning
Columnist Leonard Pitts to Speak in Houston
on January 25
01.10.2012 January 25 Symposium Explores Religion in the
2012 Elections
2011 Press Releases
12.08.2011 State Approval of Christian-Themed License Plate Disrespectful of Christianity, Religious Freedom
11.21.2011 Encouraging Shift on Sex Education in Texas Schools
11.07.2011 TFN President: New Report Confirms Texas SBOE's Failure on Curriculum Standards
10.05.2011 TFN Honors Senator, Austin Activists at 16th Annual Gala
09.20.2011 David Barton Tries to Suppress Free Speech
09.09.2011 TFNEF Analysis: New Law Could Bring Sea Change to Textbook Adoptions in Texas
08.18.2011 TFN President: Gov. Perry's Claims About Teaching Creationism in Texas Incorrect, Irresponsible
08.15.2011 TFN President Applauds Final Version of Publisher's Science Materials
08.04.2011 Thousands Send Message to Gov. Perry: Stop Using Faith as a Political Weapon to Divide Americans
07.22.2011 TFN President Kathy Miller: Texas Kids, Sound Science Education Triumph in SBOE Vote
07.21.2011 Education Advocates Stand Up for Sound Science in Texas
07.19.2011 TFN President Expresses Concerns About Continuing Problems at State Board of Education
07.01.2011 Gov. Perry Puts Politics Ahead of Education by Appointing Cargill As SBOE Chair
05.19.2011 Ms. Foundation Honors TFN President
05.13.2011 Creationists Target Science Instructional Materials in Texas
05.04.2011 National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy: Time to Stop Ignoring the Problem in Texas
04.25.2011 Proposed Instructional Materials Put Science Education, Public Schools at Risk in Texas
04.13.2011 Time to Put College and Workforce Readiness Ahead of Politics in Curriculum Standards
03.11.2011 TFN President Kathy Miller: New Leadership Needed on State Board of Education
02.16.2011 TFN President: Fordham Analysis Confirms That New Social Studies Standards Are a Disaster for Texas Schools
01.20.2011 Creationist Group Pushes Anti-Evolution Materials in Texas
Science Classes
01.04.2011 TFN Statement on Texas House Speaker's Race
2010 Press Releases
09.24.2010 TFN President Condemns Board's Passage of Anti-Islam Resolution
09.20.2010 Clergy Condemn Proposed Anti-Islam Resolution
09.13.2010 TFN Education Fund Releases Voter Guide
08.10.2010 TFN Joins National Groups Opposing Politicization of Curriculum Standards in Texas
07.13.2010 Statewide Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for Reforming the SBOE Curriculum Revision Process in Texas
05.21.2010 Texas Ed Board Guts Instruction on Key Constitutional Protection for Religious Freedom
05.21.2010 Texas Ed Board Member Uses Prayer to Make a Political Point
05.20.2010 Poll: Big Majority of Texas Voters See Church-State Separation as Important, Want Teachers and Scholars to Set Curriculum Standards
05.19.2010 Lawmakers, Civil Rights Leaders, Parents Call on SBOE to Send Curriculum Standards Back to Experts
05.14.2010 Proposed New Changes to Social Studies Standards Rewrite History, Promote Fringe Political Arguments
05.12.2010 Clergy Call on SBOE to Promote Religious Freedom
04.26.2010 New Dunbar Comments Highlight Extremism on Texas State Board of Education
03.19.2010 SBOE Chair Lowe’s Explanation for Dropping Jefferson from Standard Doesn’t Hold Water
03.12.2010 TFN President: Curriculum Process Is Seriously Broken, Dominated by Politics and Incompetence
03.11.2010 Texas SBOE Rejects Religious Freedom in Social Studies Curriculum
03.03.2010 TFN President: Voters on Tuesday Rejected ‘Culture War’ Battles on Education Board
01.15.2010 SBOE Pushes Politics in Social Studies Standards
01.13.2010 TFN, Clergy, Scholars Call on SBOE to Protect Religious Freedom in Social Studies Curriculum Standards
2009 Press Releases
12.09.2009 TFN Statement on Dunbar Decision Not to Seek Re-election to SBOE Seat
10.14.2009 TFN President Calls on Legislature to Investigate SBOE Ethics Concerns
07.10.2009 Texas Freedom Network Statement on Appointment of Gail Lowe as SBOE Chair
05.28.2009 TFN Statement on the Senate’s Rejection of Don McLeroy’s Confirmation as SBOE Chairman
05.20.2009 TFN Statement on Senate Committee Approval of McLeroy’s Nomination as SBOE Chair
05.20.2009 TFN President Criticizes Failure of House to Require Medically Accurate Information in Sex Ed Classes
05.06.2009 TFN President Strongly Condemns House Rejection of SBOE Sunset Bill
04.30.2009 SBOE-Appointed Social Studies 'Experts' Lack Credentials, Denounce Public Education, Support Bible-Based Laws
04.27.2009 Texas Freedom Network Statement on House Passage of Permanent School Fund Measures
04.17.2009 House Reaffirms Strong Opposition to Vouchers in Texas with Overwhelming Vote
04.01.2009 Putting Chains on Stem Cell Research Would Hurt Texas Families and Economy
03.31.2009 TFN President Calls for Passage of Sex Ed Reform Bills
03.27.2009 TFN President: Texas State Board of Education Adopts Flawed Science Standards
03.19.2009 Parents, Clergy, Scientists Call for Sound Science Standards as Lawmakers Consider Major Reforms for Texas Ed Board
03.18.2009 TFN President Condemns Shocking Book Endorsement by SBOE Chairman
03.16.2009 TFN President Calls on Lawmakers to Reject Anti-Science Legislation
03.03.2009 House Committee Passage of SBOE Broadcast Bill Is Key Step in Shining Light on Politicization of Education Policy
02.24.2009 New Study: Texas Failing Families, Teens on Sexuality Education
02.13.2009 Statement from TFN President Kathy Miller on Evolution Poll
01.23.2009 SBOE Vote Against 'Strengths and Weaknesses' Language Represents Major Victory for Science Education
2008 Press Releases
12.04.2008 SBOE Chair Should Remove Dunbar from Instruction Committee
11.19.2008 TFN Joins Academic, Business, Faith Leaders in Calling on SBOE to Reject Renewed Attacks on Evolution in Science Standards
11.17.2008 Survey of Texas University Faculty: Overwhelming Opposition to Watering Down Evolution in School Science Curriculum
11.03.2008 TFN President Calls on State Ed Board Member to Retract Charge that the Democratic Presidential Nominee Is a Traitor
10.15.2008 Texas State Board of Education Puts Strident Anti-Evolution Critics on Science Standards Review Panel
09.23.2008 TFN Applauds Pro-Science Draft Curriculum Standards
08.28.2008 Texas Freedom Network Statement on AG Ruling on Public School Bible Classes
08.11.2008 TEA Dropout Recovery Voucher Scheme Is Political Payback for James Leininger
07.18.2008 SBOE Throws School Districts Under the Bus
07.09.2008 Texas Attorney General Can't Certify Bible Courses Will Be Constitutional
05.27.2008 'Dropout Recovery Program' Could Lead to Private School Voucher Scheme in Texas
05.23.2008 Divisive Curriculum Revision Process Exposes Dysfunctional State Board of Education, TFN President Says
05.21.2008 Adult Stem Cells Are Only Part of Groundbreaking Medical Research Needing Support
04.23.2008 TFN Statement on Public Hearing about the Institute for Creation Research
04.21.2008 University Faculty: No Certification for Group's Creation 'Science' Master's Degree
03.27.2008 SBOE Must Comply with the Law on Bible Class Standards
03.26.2008 TFN Urges Rejection of Reading Lists in New Language Arts Standards
03.11.2008 Council Leaves the Door Open to Voucher Schemes
03.05.2008 Odessa Lawsuit Agreement Confirms TFN Warnings about Deeply Flawed Bible Course
02.12.2008 Board Chairman Recklessly Throws Away Two Years of Work, Taxpayer Dollars on Curriculum Revision
02.07.2008 Far-Right Groups See Major Funding Increases Since 1998
02.05.2008 Texas Clergy Promote Sound Science in Public Schools
01.10.2008 TFN Asks IRS to Investigate Foundation Linked to Texas Restoration Project
2007 Press Releases
12.10.2007 TFN Calls on Texas Education Commissioner to Clarify Remarks on Forced Resignation of TEA Science Director
11.16.2007 TFN Calls on Attorney General to Enforce Textbook Law
11.05.2007 Attacks on Cancer Research Funding Proposal an Example of Political Extremism Blocking Responsible Medical Research
08.07.2007 Recorded Lecture Reveals New Texas Education Board Chair's Hostility To Science, Religious Tolerance
07.17.2007 Texas Freedom Network Statement on McLeroy as SBOE Chair
05.28.2007 Texas Freedom Network Statements on End of 80th Regular Session of Texas Legislature
05.23.2007 Texas Freedom Network Statement on Senate Passage of Bible Class Bill
05.16.2007 Odessa Bible Class Lawsuit a Result of Reckless Decisions by Local Officials
05.08.2007 House Passage of Committee's Bible Class Bill Is a Victory for Religious Freedom in Texas
04.30.2007 TFN Statement on House Bill 3678
04.19.2007 Texas Freedom Network Applauds House Committee Action on Bible Class Bill
04.16.2007 TFN Condemns Irresponsible Vote for Ban on Stem Cell Research Funding
04.12.2007 TFN Launches Statewide Petition Campaign Supporting Stem Cell Research
04.03.2007 Proposed Bill on Bible Classes Could Endanger Religious Freedom, Put Schools in Legal Jeopardy
03.29.2007 Proposed Massive Pilot Voucher Program Takes Aim at Urban School Districts
03.29.2007 House Vote Slams Door Shut on Voucher Schemes
03.28.2007 Autism Voucher Scheme Would Undermine Special Education Efforts in Texas Public Schools
03.13.2007 Special Education Initiatives, Not Vouchers, Are Real Solution for Students with Disabilities
03.07.2007 TFN Statement: Bill Protects Stem Cell Research, Gives Hope to Patients and Families
02.28.2007 Vouchers Are Not the Solution for Families of Children with Autism
02.21.2007 Texas Freedom Network Calls for Strong Oversight, Accountability Measures in Expansion of Faith-Based Initiative in State
02.14.2007 Chisum Launches Attack On Evolution
02.12.2007 Proposed Bill Favors Deeply Flawed Bible Curriculum in Texas Public Schools
02.09.2007 Rep. Chisum Contradicts Himself on Gay Foster Families
02.07.2007 TFN President Responds to Pro-Voucher Propaganda Event
02.02.2007 Gov. Perry’s Decision Is Acknowledgment that Health and Science Should Not Be Held Hostage to Politics
01.09.2007 Challenge to Speaker Sent a Message: Put the People’s Interests above Special Interests
2006 Press Releases
10.17.2006 Texas Faith-Based Initiative Is Political Shell Game
10.13.2006 Voucher Schemes are Expensive, Ineffective and Unaccountable
09.18.2006 Texas AG Keeps Limits on SBOE Textbook Authority
09.13.2006 Clergy, Parents Voice Concerns About Public School Bible Classes
08.28.2006 FreePac Successor Bares Fangs for 2006 Campaign
06.29.2006 Clergy to Politicians: 'Respect Our Faith'
05.02.2006 Task Force Betrays Spirit of National Day of Prayer
03.14.2006 TFN Joins Education Advocates In Backing Censorship Curbs
03.02.2006 TFN Asks for Investigation into Leininger PACs
02.28.2006 Leininger Raises the Stakes
02.13.2006 Voucher-Obsessed Leininger Moves to Close Sale on Legislature
01.31.2006 SBOE Attempts End Run Around Legislature
2005 Press Releases
12.21.2005 Is Odessa the Next Dover?
10.12.2005 TFN Calls for Investigation of Group Backing Marriage Amendment
09.28.2005 Texas Lawmakers Ponder the 'Culture War' at Sept. 30 Event
08.24.2005 Time for Governor to Come Clean
08.01.2005 Turning Public Schools into Sunday Schools
07.20.2005 Statement on End of First Special Session
06.23.2005 Lawmakers Get Failing Grade on Public Schools
06.17.2005 No More Distractions: Lawmakers Must Stay Focused on the Real Goal
05.30.2005 Lawmakers Wasted Time on Distractions Instead of Focusing on Priorities
05.27.2005 Conference Committee Rejects Witch Hunts in Child Protective Services Bill
05.24.2005 Voucher Defeat a Triumph for Texas Families and Neighborhood Public Schools
05.21.2005 TFN Statement on Senate Passage of H.J.R. 6
05.18.2005 House Committee Votes to Hold Texas Kids, Texas Education Agency Hostage to Vouchers
05.09.2005 Senate Rejects Vouchers in TEA Reauthorization Bill
04.29.2005 SBOE, Publisher Still Censoring Health Textbooks
04.28.2005 San Antonio Parents, Teachers Warn Legislators about Failures of Edgewood Voucher Program
04.25.2005 Marriage Amendment an Unnecessary Diversion
04.25.2005 Textbook Bills Open Door to Censorship By SBOE
04.20.2005 H.B. 2479 Returns Texas to Days of Dangerous, Unregulated Faith-Based Programs
04.19.2005 House Bill Gives State Board Of Education a Free Hand To Censor Textbooks
04.19.2005 Ban on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Foster Parents Puts Mean-Spirited Agenda Ahead of the Interests of Kids
04.18.2005 Bill Could Privatize Schools in Every Senate District
04.12.2005 Senate Education Bill Calls For Unprecedented Privatization of Texas Schools
04.11.2005 House Joins SBOE In Blocking Responsible Health Education
04.05.2005 House Voucher Bills Drain Millions of Dollars from Public Schools
03.22.2005 House Bill 1445: A Voucher Bill in Disguise
03.15.2005 TFN Celebrates 10 Years Standing Up For Mainstream Values With New Web Site, 'Open House'
03.09.2005 House Bill 2: Votes for Gutting Education Standards and for Privatization Undermine Neighborhood Schools
03.09.2005 Local Clergy, Religious Groups Call For CHIP Funding
03.08.2005 House Bill 2 Is about Privatization, Not Reform
03.01.2005 House Bill 2: It's About More Than Money
02.28.2005 Senate Should Reject Miller Appointment as SBOE Chair
02.03.2005 Statement From TFN President Kathy Miller On Speaker Craddick’s Assertion That Vouchers Will Be Added Later To Education Bill
01.26.2005 Statement From Texas Freedom Network President Kathy Miller on Gov. Perry’s State-of-The-State Address
2004 Press Releases
12.08.2004 Texas Freedom Network Names Kathy Miller As New President
11.05.2004 State Board Approves Flawed Health Textbooks
11.01.2004 Thousands Of Texans Join Campaign For Responsible Health Textbooks
09.22.2004 Samantha Smoot to Step Down as Texas Freedom Network President
09.15.2004 Texas Freedom Network President Backs Education Commissioner’s Call For Teaching State Health Standards
09.07.2004 Texas Poll: 90% of Texans Support Sex Education
07.28.2004 From Bad to Worse: Publishers Make Reckless Changes to Proposed New Health Textbooks
07.14.2004 Experts, Organizations Call for Responsible Health Textbooks in Texas High Schools
07.07.2004 Organizations Launch Campaign to Fight Assault on Responsible Health Education in Textbook Adoption
06.18.2004 State Review Panels Give OK to Failing Health Textbooks in Texas Adoption
04.30.2004 Public Education Advocates Oppose New Voucher Proposal
04.20.2004 Texas Freedom Network Applauds Bipartisan Efforts on School Finance
04.13.2004 Vouchers, ‘Home Rule’ Are Not the Solution to School Funding Crisis
01.29.2004 TEA Commissioner Shirley Neeley Flip-Flops on Vouchers
2003 Press Releases
11.03.2003 Mainstream Texans Gather in Dallas to Proclaim Faith and Science Not in Conflict
10.29.2003 Publishers Resist Political Pressure to Alter Biology Textbooks
08.20.2003 Business Leaders, Clergy, Scientists Say No to Censorship
06.02.2003 2003 Legislative Recap: Grassroots Mobilization and Mainstream Bipartisanship Defy Radical Right Agenda and Political Power
05.14.2003 Committee Substituted Voucher Bill Sneaks Through Committee at Closed Meeting on House Floor
04.28.2003 Groups Decry “Home-Rule” Bill That Eliminates Class Size, Curriculum, All Education Standards
04.23.2003 Texas House Votes Down Dangerous 'Virtual' Schools Bill; Senate Approves Similar Measure
04.22.2003 Torrent of Bad Education Bills Rips Through Legislature; Leadership Puts Ideology Ahead of Students, Fiscal Crisis
04.03.2003 Voucher Bill Sneaks Through Committee at Closed Meeting on House Floor
04.02.2003 Bill Dismantling Education Standards Heads to House; Ends Class Size, Curriculum, Teacher Standards at Schools
01.28.2003 Bush Faith-Based Plan Undermines Safety and Science
2002 Press Releases
12.12.2002 Bush Faith-Based Action Follows Disastrous Texas Model
11.15.2002 SBOE Adopts Social Studies Textbooks after Religious Right Revamp
11.12.2002 Far Right’s Changes to Textbooks Prompt Thousands of Outraged Letters to State, Publishers Opposing Textbook Censorship
10.28.2002 Publishers Make Creationist, Anti-Muslim Changes to Pass Religious Right Litmus Test
10.10.2002 Faith-Based Initiative Reaps Bitter Fruit in Texas
08.23.2002 Mainstream Texans Outraged at Textbook Censorship and Book Banning; Citizens Testify to Counter Religious Right
07.09.2002 Mainstream Texans Form First-Ever Campaign Against Textbook Censorship; Parents Tell Censors, Publishers 'I Object!'
03.08.2002 Controversial Religious Right Group, Free Pac, Has Cozy Relationship with Candidates Across State
01.23.2002 White House Sends Top Gun to Defend Faith-Based Initiative in Dallas