On the heels of a statewide effort to bolster resources for military families, Governor Greg Abbott has declared that an additional 98 Texas public schools have been honored with the Purple Star Campus Designation for the 2025-2026 academic year. This latest round of designations boosts the total to 640 Texas schools recognized for their commitment to the needs of students from military families. "Texas is home to nearly 200,000 military-connected students attending public schools across our state,” Abbott said on the Office of the Texas Governor, emphasizing the state's dedication to supporting military families.
Under the governor's direction, schools across Texas are encouraged to expand the tools and resources available to accommodate the educational needs of children with parents who served, or continue to serve, in the armed forces. Governor Abbott announced, "The Purple Star Campus Designation program encourages Texas public schools to expand resources and tools available on their campuses to meet the unique educational needs of military-connected students and their families." This indicates a sustained effort to ensure these students find stability and support in their schooling environments.
The Purple Star designation, introduced by Senate Bill 1557 in 2019, requires schools to meet stringent criteria, such as appointing a military liaison on campus and offering a dedicated website section for military families, among other support mechanisms. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath showed his support, revealing that "By adding 98 new Purple Star campuses this year, Texas continues to strengthen its commitment to military-connected students and their families,” as mentioned on the Office of the Texas Governor. The criteria, aiming to offer consistent care to military families, reflects Texas's acknowledgment of the mobile and sometimes turbulent nature of military life.
The designation, open to all Texas public school campuses, stands as a testament to the state's pledge to “support the families of the brave men and women who fought for our country,” as Governor Abbott lauds a two-year term recognizing the selected campuses. According to the governor's announcement, these schools have shown a "significant commitment" to serving military-connected students. Applications for the Purple Star Campus Designation are collected yearly, providing ongoing opportunities for schools to demonstrate their commitment to this cause.
