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The federal government is launching an investigation into the Texas Education Agency over Governor Abbott's ban of mask mandates in schools. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights announced the investigation Tuesday, saying they will look into whether the ban violates the rights of students with disabilities. In a letter to T-E-A Commissioner Mike Morath, the civil rights office expressed concern the executive order is not allowing an "equal educational opportunity" for students at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The Department of Education is also investigating similar mask policies in Oklahoma, Tennessee, South Carolina, Utah, and Iowa.