Texas school districts increase criminal referrals of young students

An analysis by the Times and The San Antonio Express-News reveals that school districts across Texas have increasingly referred children aged 10 to 13 to the criminal justice system following school incidents. This trend follows a decade-long effort to increase campus security through higher police presence and stricter disciplinary measures.

Since 2014, more than 47,000 students in this age group have been sent for criminal processing. During the 2024-25 academic year alone, approximately 4,800 students were referred, representing a one-third increase compared to a decade ago. Most cases involve minor offenses such as making threats, using cannabis vapes, or physical altercations with peers or staff, with few instances involving serious physical harm.

The shift toward criminalizing school misconduct has had significant personal and financial impacts on families. In one El Paso case, a 10-year-old with ADHD faced legal proceedings after kicking an assistant principal; although the case was eventually dismissed, the family incurred substantial legal costs and the child suffered from increased anxiety and declining academic performance.