Code Switch The fight over public education, from Texas to the White House
7 snips
Dec 17, 2025 Mike Hixenbaugh, a senior investigative reporter for NBC News and author of "They Came for the Schools," dives into the heated education battles in Southlake, Texas. He discusses how local school boards are becoming battlegrounds for broader ideological conflicts, particularly regarding diversity and inclusion. Hixenbaugh reveals how a seemingly nonpartisan diversity plan became a flashpoint for political division and how national conservative groups have adapted these local strategies. His insights touch on the experiences of marginalized families and the complex dynamics of suburban identity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Federal Ed Department's Limited But Key Roles
- The U.S. Department of Education mainly administers Title I funding and special education dollars to address unequal local school funding.
- Its Office for Civil Rights handles discrimination complaints, making federal oversight crucial when local districts fail.
Southlake's Diverse Suburb Reality
- Mike Hixenbaugh describes Southlake as a wealthy suburb where parents buy homes largely for school access.
- The district created a Cultural Competence Action Plan after years of reported racial bullying and a viral student video.
Local Diversity Plans Became National Culture Wars
- Conservatives reframed a local diversity plan as left-wing indoctrination, erasing decades of Black parents' complaints.
- That reframing turned neighbors into perceived political enemies and nationalized the dispute.