The movement for the inclusion of Juneteenth in Texas public school curricula has gained significant momentum in 2025, with prominent Texas attorneys leading the charge. In recent years, Juneteenth has evolved from a historically important but lesser-known commemoration into a nationally recognized holiday, but its educational significance in schools has remained limited. Now, attorneys across the state are advocating for legislative change, urging school districts to offer in-depth lessons on Juneteenth, its historical context, and its relevance today.
The Legal Drive for Juneteenth Education
The campaign to integrate Juneteenth into public school curricula in Texas is not only a cultural movement but a legal push that involves revisiting the state’s education policies. Texas attorneys, particularly those working in civil rights and public policy, have begun advocating for the formal inclusion of Juneteenth as a required topic in history education. Legal action is being taken on several fronts, with petitions and lawsuits seeking to change the Texas Education Code to mandate Juneteenth education statewide.
Lisa Johnson, an attorney at Johnson & Associates in Dallas, has been at the forefront of this initiative. “It’s crucial for Texas students to understand Juneteenth as a key moment in American history,” Johnson said. “Incorporating Juneteenth into school curriculums isn’t just a cultural issue—it’s a legal issue. Ensuring that future generations understand the historical roots of freedom is essential to building a just and inclusive society.”
In Texas, where Juneteenth holds deep historical roots, Johnson’s firm is working alongside several local school districts to push for the implementation of more comprehensive educational programs about the holiday. The firm has already collaborated with the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) to pilot programs that include Juneteenth as part of the standard U.S. History curriculum.
Legal Actions and Advocacy
In addition to advocacy through local school boards, Texas lawyers are leveraging the state’s open records laws to request that districts make public their teaching materials and syllabi concerning African American history. The Texas Civil Rights Project, which has supported Johnson’s efforts, is also actively engaging in public litigation to influence the Texas State Board of Education.
“The Board of Education has a responsibility to ensure that curriculum guidelines reflect an accurate and inclusive understanding of history,” said Andrea Young, Executive Director of the Texas Civil Rights Project. Young’s organization is working to gather legal support from attorneys and academics to challenge any resistance to the inclusion of Juneteenth.
The legal framework for advocating change is grounded in both state law and federal educational standards. Texas attorneys are citing the need to comply with the federal mandates for diversity and inclusion in educational practices, pointing out the violation of equal education principles if certain historical events, like Juneteenth, are excluded.
Opposition to the Initiative
While the push for Juneteenth education has garnered broad support in Texas, there has been notable opposition. Critics argue that the push to mandate Juneteenth as a required topic in school curricula could lead to an already overburdened education system struggling with the addition of another mandatory subject. Some conservative groups have opposed this movement, arguing that the inclusion of Juneteenth in every classroom could lead to over-politicized education and place undue pressure on teachers.
“There is a risk of forcing political viewpoints into classrooms under the guise of historical education,” said David Alvarado, a conservative education policy analyst in Texas. “The issue with mandating specific holidays or events like Juneteenth is that it implies that some historical events are more important than others, which can create unnecessary division.”
Broader Legal Implications for Schools
The push for Juneteenth education extends beyond Texas. In a broader national context, advocates are using Texas as a model for other states to reconsider their teaching of African American history. Attorneys involved in these cases argue that states have a duty under the Constitution’s equal protection clause to ensure that students receive an education that is reflective of the full scope of American history, particularly in regard to slavery, emancipation, and civil rights.
Legal experts believe the success of the Texas initiative could serve as a benchmark for other states, particularly those in the South, where Juneteenth’s history is most significant. Additionally, some advocates are pushing for a federal mandate requiring schools to teach Juneteenth history, especially since it has now been declared a national holiday.
Conclusion: A Legal and Cultural Shift
As Juneteenth continues to evolve from a regional observance to a national holiday, Texas attorneys’ legal advocacy efforts have become central to ensuring its significance is properly reflected in educational systems. With ongoing litigation, public pressure, and community outreach, the future of Juneteenth education in Texas appears promising. However, legal challenges and political opposition remain ongoing, and Texas lawyers remain committed to pursuing this cause.
