Parental Rights, Discipline Overview
As a parent, you are the most important voice in your child’s education. Texas law recognizes that students do best when families are informed, involved, and respected. Parents are partners with educators, administrators, and school boards of trustees in their children’s education. Parents have specific rights outlined in the Texas Education Code, including Chapter 26: Parental Rights and Responsibilities.
The United States and Texas Constitutions along with federal and state laws give you and your child important rights in public schools. These include:
• The right to guide your child’s moral and religious upbringing.
• The right to make decisions about your child’s education.
• The right to approve or refuse, medical, psychiatric, and psychological treatment for your child.
To help you understand these rights, Texas law requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to create a Parent Rights Handbook that explains all the rights you have as a parent regarding the education of your child.
In addition to the Parental Rights Handbook, TEA has also created the Parental Rights & Options Information Form as required by Senate Bill 12 (89th Legislative Session). School districts are required to provide parents a copy of the Parental Rights & Information Options Form which provides an overview and information about many of the parental rights and options described in the Texas Education Code and the TEA Parental Rights Handbook.
School Discipline
TEA has prepared a document designed for families to explain the general requirements of student discipline and laws that were recently changed. TEA expects each district to provide a copy of the Overview of School Discipline for Parents document to each student and parent to comply with their notice requirements under HB 6.
ENGLISH - Overview of School Discipline for Parents
SPANISH - Descripción general de la disciplina escolar para padres