reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.082. Pledges of Allegiance; Minute of Silence

Sec. 25.082.  PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE; MINUTE OF SILENCE.  (a)  Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 851 (H.B. 2442), Sec. 9, eff. June 15, 2017.
(b)  The board of trustees of each school district and the governing board of each open-enrollment charter school shall require students, once during each school day at each campus, to recite:
(1)  the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag in accordance with 4 U.S.C. Section 4; and
(2)  the pledge of allegiance to the state flag in accordance with Subchapter C, Chapter 3100, Government Code.
(b-1)  The board of trustees of each school district and the governing board of each open-enrollment charter school shall require that the United States and Texas flags be prominently displayed in accordance with 4 U.S.C. Sections 5-10 and Chapter 3100, Government Code, in each campus classroom to which a student is assigned at the time the pledges of allegiance to those flags are recited.  A district or school is not required to spend federal, state, or local district or school funds to acquire flags required under this subsection.  A district or school may raise money or accept gifts, grants, and donations to acquire flags required under this subsection.
(c)  On written request from a student's parent or guardian, a school district or open-enrollment charter school shall excuse the student from reciting a pledge of allegiance under Subsection (b).
(d)  The board of trustees of each school district and the governing board of each open-enrollment charter school shall provide for the observance of one minute of silence at each campus following the recitation of the pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags under Subsection (b).  During the one-minute period, each student may, as the student chooses, reflect, pray, meditate, or engage in any other silent activity that is not likely to interfere with or distract another student.  Each teacher or other school employee in charge of students during that period shall ensure that each of those students remains silent and does not act in a manner that is likely to interfere with or distract another student.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 126, Sec. 1, 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 881 (H.B. 773), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1140 (S.B. 2), Sec. 42, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 851 (H.B. 2442), Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 851 (H.B. 2442), Sec. 9, eff. June 15, 2017.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.0821. Minute of Silence to Commemorate September 11, 2001

Sec. 25.0821.  MINUTE OF SILENCE TO COMMEMORATE SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.  (a)  To commemorate the events of September 11, 2001, in each year that date falls on a regular school day, each public elementary or secondary school shall provide for the observance of one minute of silence at the beginning of the first class period of that day.
(b)  Immediately before the period of observance required by this section, the class instructor shall make a statement of reference to the memory of individuals who died on September 11, 2001.
(c)  The period of observance required by this section may be held in conjunction with the minute of silence required by Section 25.082.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 925 (H.B. 1501), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.0822. Patriotic Society Access to Students

Sec. 25.0822.  PATRIOTIC SOCIETY ACCESS TO STUDENTS.  (a)  In this section, "patriotic society" means a youth membership organization listed in Title 36 of the United States Code with an educational purpose that promotes patriotism and civic involvement.
(b)  At the beginning of each school year, the board of trustees of an independent school district shall adopt a policy to allow the principal of a public school campus to provide representatives of a patriotic society with the opportunity to speak to students during regular school hours about membership in the society and the ways in which membership may promote a student's educational interest and level of civic involvement, leading to the student's increased potential for self-improvement and ability to contribute to improving the student's school and community.
(c)  The board policy shall give a principal complete discretion over the specific date and time of the opportunity required to be provided under this section, except that the policy shall allow the principal to limit:
(1)  the opportunity provided to a patriotic society to a single school day; and
(2)  any presentation made to students as a result of the opportunity to 10 minutes in length.
Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 925 (S.B. 1566), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2017.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.083. School Day Interruptions

Sec. 25.083.  SCHOOL DAY INTERRUPTIONS.  (a)  The board of trustees of each school district shall adopt and strictly enforce a policy limiting interruptions of classes during the school day for nonacademic activities such as announcements and sales promotions.  At a minimum, the policy must limit announcements other than emergency announcements to once during the school day.
(b)  The board of trustees of each school district shall adopt and strictly enforce a policy limiting the removal of students from class for remedial tutoring or test preparation.  A district may not remove a student from a regularly scheduled class for remedial tutoring or test preparation if, as a result of the removal, the student would miss more than 10 percent of the school days on which the class is offered, unless the student's parent or another person standing in parental relation to the student provides to the district written consent for removal from class for such purpose.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 211 (H.B. 5), Sec. 5(a), eff. June 10, 2013.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.084. Year-Round System

Sec. 25.084.  YEAR-ROUND SYSTEM.  (a)  A school district may operate its schools year-round on either a single-track or a multitrack calendar.  If a school district adopts a year-round system, the district may modify:
(1)  the number of contract days of employees and the number of days of operation, including any time required for staff development, planning and preparation, and continuing education, otherwise required by law;
(2)  testing dates, data reporting, and related matters;
(3)  the date of the first day of instruction of the school year under Section 25.0811 for a school that was operating year-round for the 2000-2001 school year;  and
(4)  a student's eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities when the student's calendar track is not in session.
(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), the operation of schools year-round by a district does not affect the amount of state funds to which the district is entitled under Chapter 48.
(c)  A district that adopts a year-round system under this section may receive the incentive aid under Section 48.0051 if the district meets the criteria for receiving the incentive under that section.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 909, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 943 (H.B. 3), Sec. 1.004(a), eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 943 (H.B. 3), Sec. 1.004(b), eff. September 1, 2020.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.088. School Attendance Officer

Sec. 25.088.  SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER.  The school attendance officer may be selected by:
(1)  the county school trustees of any county;
(2)  the board of trustees of any school district or the boards of trustees of two or more school districts jointly;  or
(3)  the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1504, Sec. 21, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.089. Compensation of Attendance Officer; Dual Service

Sec. 25.089.  COMPENSATION OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER;  DUAL SERVICE.  (a)  An attendance officer may be compensated from the funds of the county, independent school district, or open-enrollment charter school, as applicable.
(b)  An attendance officer may be the probation officer or an officer of the juvenile court of the county.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1504, Sec. 22, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.090. Attendance Officer Not Selected

Sec. 25.090.  ATTENDANCE OFFICER NOT SELECTED.  (a)  In those counties and independent school districts where an attendance officer has not been selected, the duties of attendance officer shall be performed by the school superintendents and peace officers of the counties and districts.
(b)  If the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school has not selected an attendance officer, the duties of attendance officer shall be performed by the peace officers of the county in which the school is located.
(c)  Additional compensation may not be paid for services performed under this section.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1504, Sec. 23, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.094. Agreement for Dismissal of Parent Contributing to Nonattendance Charge

Sec. 25.094.  AGREEMENT FOR DISMISSAL OF PARENT CONTRIBUTING TO NONATTENDANCE CHARGE.  (a)  A parent against whom a complaint under Section 25.093 has been filed and the school district at which the parent's child is enrolled may enter into a written agreement requiring the parent to complete counseling, training, or another program as designated by the school district.
(b)  A parent who fulfills the terms of an agreement described by Subsection (a) not later than the 30th day after the date on which the complaint was filed or within the period provided by the agreement is entitled to dismissal of the complaint in accordance with Article 45.0531(b), Code of Criminal Procedure.
(c)  The agency may adopt rules and materials necessary to implement this section, including by:
(1)  making standardized agreement forms available to school districts;
(2)  recommending state and local counseling, training, or other program options that a school district may require in an agreement under this section, which may include:
(A)  faith-based counseling or training programs; or
(B)  other programs that provide instruction designed to assist a parent in identifying problems that contribute to unexcused absences by the parent's child and in developing strategies for resolving those problems; and
(3)  requiring relevant programs, resources, and materials to be made available through regional educational service centers.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 749 (H.B. 3917), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.095. Warning Notices

Sec. 25.095.  WARNING NOTICES.  (a)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school shall notify a student's parent in writing at the beginning of the school year that if the student is absent from school on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year:
(1)  the student's parent is subject to prosecution under Section 25.093; and
(2)  the student is subject to referral to a truancy court for truant conduct under Section 65.003(a), Family Code.
(b)  A school district shall notify a student's parent if the student has been absent from school, without excuse under Section 25.087, on three days or parts of days within a four-week period.  The notice must:
(1)  inform the parent that:
(A)  it is the parent's duty to monitor the student's school attendance and require the student to attend school; and
(B)  the student is subject to truancy prevention measures under Section 25.0915; and
(2)  request a conference between school officials and the parent to discuss the absences.
(c)  The fact that a parent did not receive a notice under Subsection (a) or (b) does not create a defense under Section 25.093 or under Section 65.003(a), Family Code.
(d)  In this section, "parent" includes a person standing in parental relation.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1504, Sec. 25, eff. Sept. 1, 2001;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1514, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2001;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 6.002, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.0951. School District Complaint or Referral for Failure to Attend School

Sec. 25.0951.  SCHOOL DISTRICT COMPLAINT OR REFERRAL FOR FAILURE TO ATTEND SCHOOL.  (a)  If a student fails to attend school without excuse on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year, a school district shall within 10 school days of the student's 10th absence refer the student to a truancy court for truant conduct under Section 65.003(a), Family Code.
(b)  If a student fails to attend school without excuse as specified by Subsection (a), a school district may file a complaint against the student's parent in a county, justice, or municipal court for an offense under Section 25.093 if the school district provides evidence of the parent's criminal negligence.  In this subsection, "parent" includes a person standing in parental relation.
(c)  A court shall dismiss a complaint made by a school district under Subsection (b) that:
(1)  does not comply with this section;
(2)  does not allege the elements required for the offense;
(3)  is not timely filed, unless the school district delayed the referral under Subsection (d); or
(4)  is otherwise substantively defective.
(d)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a school district may delay a referral of a student for truant conduct, or may choose to not refer a student for truant conduct, if the school district:
(1)  is applying truancy prevention measures to the student under Section 25.0915; and
(2)  determines that the truancy prevention measures are succeeding and it is in the best interest of the student that a referral be delayed or not be made.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1514, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 137, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 949 (H.B. 1575), Sec. 37, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 908 (H.B. 2884), Sec. 31, eff. September 1, 2007.
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 984 (S.B. 1161), Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87 (S.B. 1969), Sec. 7.003, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2015.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.0952. Procedures Applicable to Parent Contributing to Nonattendance Offense

Text of section effective until January 01, 2025
Sec. 25.0952.  PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO PARENT CONTRIBUTING TO NONATTENDANCE OFFENSE.  In a proceeding based on a complaint under Section 25.093, the court shall, except as otherwise provided by this chapter, use the procedures and exercise the powers authorized by Chapter 45, Code of Criminal Procedure.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1514, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 137, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 2003;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 40, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.038, eff. January 1, 2025.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter C. Operation of Schools and School Attendance › Section 25.0952. Procedures Applicable to Parent Contributing to Nonattendance Offense

Text of section effective on January 01, 2025
Sec. 25.0952.  PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO PARENT CONTRIBUTING TO NONATTENDANCE OFFENSE.  In a proceeding based on a complaint under Section 25.093, the court shall, except as otherwise provided by this chapter, use the procedures and exercise the powers authorized by Chapter 45A, Code of Criminal Procedure.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1514, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 137, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 2003;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 283, Sec. 40, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 935 (H.B. 2398), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.038, eff. January 1, 2025.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter D. Student/teacher Ratios; Class Size › Section 25.111. Student/teacher Ratios

Sec. 25.111.  STUDENT/TEACHER RATIOS.  Except as provided by Section 25.112, each school district must employ a sufficient number of teachers certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, to maintain an average ratio of not less than one teacher for each 20 students in average daily attendance.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter D. Student/teacher Ratios; Class Size › Section 25.112. Class Size

Sec. 25.112.  CLASS SIZE.  (a)  Except as otherwise authorized by this section, a school district may not enroll more than 22 students in a prekindergarten, kindergarten, first, second, third, or fourth grade class.  That limitation does not apply during:
(1)  any 12-week period of the school year selected by the district, in the case of a district whose average daily attendance is adjusted under Section 48.005(c); or
(2)  the last 12 weeks of any school year in the case of any other district.
(b)  Not later than the 30th day after the first day of the 12-week period for which a district whose average daily attendance is adjusted under Section 48.005(c) is claiming an exemption under Subsection (a), the district shall notify the commissioner in writing that the district is claiming an exemption for the period stated in the notice.
(c)  In determining the number of students to enroll in any class, a school district shall consider the subject to be taught, the teaching methodology to be used, and any need for individual instruction.
(d)  On application of a school district, the commissioner may except the district from the limit in Subsection (a) if the commissioner finds the limit works an undue hardship on the district.  An exception expires at the end of the school year for which it is granted.
(e)  A school district seeking an exception under Subsection (d) shall notify the commissioner and apply for the exception not later than the later of:
(1)  October 1; or
(2)  the 30th day after the first school day the district exceeds the limit in Subsection (a).
(f)  If a school district repeatedly fails to comply with this section, the commissioner may take any appropriate action authorized to be taken by the commissioner under Section 39.131.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 889, Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1347 (S.B. 300), Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 2009.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 943 (H.B. 3), Sec. 3.020, eff. September 1, 2019.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 974 (S.B. 2081), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter D. Student/teacher Ratios; Class Size › Section 25.113. Notice of Class Size

Sec. 25.113.  NOTICE OF CLASS SIZE.  (a)  A campus or district that is granted an exception under Section 25.112(d) from class size limits shall provide written notice of the exception to the parent of or person standing in parental relation to each student affected by the exception.  The notice must be in conspicuous bold or underlined print and:
(1)  specify the class for which an exception from the limit imposed by Section 25.112(a) was granted;
(2)  state the number of children in the class for which the exception was granted;  and
(3)  be included in a regular mailing or other communication from the campus or district, such as information sent home with students.
(b)  The notice required by Subsection (a) must be provided not later than the 31st day after:
(1)  the first day of the school year;  or
(2)  the date the exception is granted, if the exception is granted after the beginning of the school year.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 889, Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2001.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter D. Student/teacher Ratios; Class Size › Section 25.114. Student/teacher Ratios in Physical Education Classes; Class Size

Sec. 25.114.  STUDENT/TEACHER RATIOS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES; CLASS SIZE.  (a)  In implementing the curriculum for physical education under Section 28.002(a)(2)(C), each school district shall establish specific objectives and goals the district intends to accomplish through the curriculum, including, to the extent practicable, student/teacher ratios that are small enough to enable the district to:
(1)  carry out the purposes of and requirements for the physical education curriculum as provided under Section 28.002(d); and
(2)  ensure the safety of students participating in physical education.
(b)  If a district establishes a student to teacher ratio greater than 45 to 1 in a physical education class, the district shall specifically identify the manner in which the safety of the students will be maintained.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 773 (S.B. 891), Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 2009.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter E. Student Expression of Religious Viewpoints › Section 25.151. Student Expression

Sec. 25.151.  STUDENT EXPRESSION.  A school district shall treat a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner the district treats a student's voluntary expression of a secular or other viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject and may not discriminate against the student based on a religious viewpoint expressed by the student on an otherwise permissible subject.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 261 (H.B. 3678), Sec. 2, eff. June 8, 2007.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter E. Student Expression of Religious Viewpoints › Section 25.152. Limited Public Forum; School District Policy

Sec. 25.152.  LIMITED PUBLIC FORUM; SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY.  (a)   To ensure that the school district does not discriminate against a student's publicly stated voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, and to eliminate any actual or perceived affirmative school sponsorship or attribution to the district of a student's expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, a school district shall adopt a policy, which must include the establishment of a limited public forum for student speakers at all school events at which a student is to publicly speak. The policy regarding the limited public forum must also require the school district to:
(1)  provide the forum in a manner that does not discriminate against a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject;
(2)  provide a method, based on neutral criteria, for the selection of student speakers at school events and graduation ceremonies;
(3)  ensure that a student speaker does not engage in obscene, vulgar, offensively lewd, or indecent speech; and
(4)  state, in writing, orally, or both, that the student's speech does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position, or expression of the district.
(b)  The school district disclaimer required by Subsection (a)(4) must be provided at all graduation ceremonies.  The school district must also continue to provide the disclaimer at any other event in which a student speaks publicly for as long as a need exists to dispel confusion over the district's nonsponsorship of the student's speech.
(c)  Student expression on an otherwise permissible subject may not be excluded from the limited public forum because the subject is expressed from a religious viewpoint.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 261 (H.B. 3678), Sec. 2, eff. June 8, 2007.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter E. Student Expression of Religious Viewpoints › Section 25.153. Religious Expression in Class Assignments

Sec. 25.153.  RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION IN CLASS ASSIGNMENTS.  Students may express their beliefs about religion in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free from discrimination based on the religious content of their submissions.  Homework and classroom assignments must be judged by ordinary academic standards of substance and relevance and against other legitimate pedagogical concerns identified by the school district.  Students may not be penalized or rewarded on account of the religious content of their work.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 261 (H.B. 3678), Sec. 2, eff. June 8, 2007.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter E. Student Expression of Religious Viewpoints › Section 25.154. Freedom to Organize Religious Groups and Activities

Sec. 25.154.  FREEDOM TO ORGANIZE RELIGIOUS GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES.  Students may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, "see you at the pole" gatherings, or other religious gatherings before, during, and after school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other noncurricular student activities and groups.  Religious groups must be given the same access to school facilities for assembling as is given to other noncurricular groups without discrimination based on the religious content of the students' expression.  If student groups that meet for nonreligious activities are permitted to advertise or announce meetings of the groups, the school district may not discriminate against groups that meet for prayer or other religious speech.  A school district may disclaim school sponsorship of noncurricular groups and events in a manner that neither favors nor disfavors groups that meet to engage in prayer or religious speech.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 261 (H.B. 3678), Sec. 2, eff. June 8, 2007.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter E. Student Expression of Religious Viewpoints › Section 25.155. Adoption of Policy

Sec. 25.155.  ADOPTION OF POLICY.  A school district shall adopt and implement a local policy regarding a limited public forum and voluntary student expression of religious viewpoints.  If a school district voluntarily adopts and follows the model policy governing voluntary religious expression in public schools as provided by Section 25.156, the district is in compliance with the provisions of this subchapter covered by the model policy.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 261 (H.B. 3678), Sec. 2, eff. June 8, 2007.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter Z. Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Students › Section 25.901. Exercise of Constitutional Right to Pray

Sec. 25.901.  EXERCISE OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PRAY.  A public school student has an absolute right to individually, voluntarily, and silently pray or meditate in school in a manner that does not disrupt the instructional or other activities of the school.  A person may not require, encourage, or coerce a student to engage in or refrain from such prayer or meditation during any school activity.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter Z. Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Students › Section 25.902. Prohibition on Certain Discrimination in Student Dress or Grooming Policy

Sec. 25.902.  PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN DISCRIMINATION IN STUDENT DRESS OR GROOMING POLICY.  (a)  In this section, "protective hairstyle" includes braids, locks, and twists.
(b)  Any student dress or grooming policy adopted by a school district, including a student dress or grooming policy for any extracurricular activity, may not discriminate against a hair texture or protective hairstyle commonly or historically associated with race.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 223 (H.B. 567), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 25 - Admission, Transfer, and Attendance › Subchapter Z. Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Students › Section 25.904. Use of Calculator Application in Place of Graphing Calculator

Sec. 25.904.  USE OF CALCULATOR APPLICATION IN PLACE OF GRAPHING CALCULATOR.  (a)  A school district shall permit a student enrolled in a course that requires the student to use a graphing calculator to use a calculator application on a computing device, including a personal, laptop, or tablet computer, that provides the same functionality, unless the district makes available to the student a graphing calculator at no cost to the student.
(b)  A school district may adopt policies related to student use of a computing device under this section.
(c)  To the extent this section conflicts with Section 37.082, this section prevails.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1315 (H.B. 3906), Sec. 7, eff. June 14, 2019.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 26 - Parental Rights and Responsibilities › Section 26.001. Purpose

Sec. 26.001.  PURPOSE.  (a)  Parents are partners with educators, administrators, and school district boards of trustees in their children's education.  Parents shall be encouraged to actively participate in creating and implementing educational programs for their children.
(b)  The rights listed in this chapter are not exclusive.  This chapter does not limit a parent's rights under other law.
(c)  Unless otherwise provided by law, a board of trustees, administrator, educator, or other person may not limit parental rights.
(d)  Each board of trustees shall provide for procedures to consider complaints that a parent's right has been denied.
(e)  Each board of trustees shall cooperate in the establishment of ongoing operations of at least one parent-teacher organization at each school in the district to promote parental involvement in school activities.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 26 - Parental Rights and Responsibilities › Section 26.002. Definition

Sec. 26.002.  DEFINITION.  In this chapter, "parent" includes a person standing in parental relation.  The term does not include a person as to whom the parent-child relationship has been terminated or a person not entitled to possession of or access to a child under a court order.  Except as provided by federal law, all rights of a parent under Title 2 of this code and all educational rights under Section 151.001(a)(10), Family Code, shall be exercised by a student who is 18 years of age or older or whose disabilities of minority have been removed for general purposes under Chapter 31, Family Code, unless the student has been determined to be incompetent or the student's rights have been otherwise restricted by a court order.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 767, Sec. 10, eff. June 13, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 324 (S.B. 1488), Sec. 6.002, eff. September 1, 2017.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 26 - Parental Rights and Responsibilities › Section 26.003. Rights Concerning Academic Programs

Sec. 26.003.  RIGHTS CONCERNING ACADEMIC PROGRAMS.  (a)  A parent is entitled to:
(1)  petition the board of trustees designating the school in the district that the parent's child will attend, as provided by Section 25.033;
(2)  reasonable access to the school principal, or to a designated administrator with the authority to reassign a student, to request a change in the class or teacher to which the parent's child has been assigned, if the reassignment or change would not affect the assignment or reassignment of another student;
(3)  request, with the expectation that the request will not be unreasonably denied:
(A)  the addition of a specific academic class in the course of study of the parent's child in keeping with the required curriculum if sufficient interest is shown in the addition of the class to make it economically practical to offer the class;
(B)  that the parent's child be permitted to attend a class for credit above the child's grade level, whether in the child's school or another school, unless the board or its designated representative expects that the child cannot perform satisfactorily in the class;  or
(C)  that the parent's child be permitted to graduate from high school earlier than the child would normally graduate, if the child completes each course required for graduation;  and
(4)  have a child who graduates early as provided by Subdivision (3)(C) participate in graduation ceremonies at the time the child graduates.
(b)  The decision of the board of trustees concerning a request described by Subsection (a)(2) or (3) is final and may not be appealed.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 26 - Parental Rights and Responsibilities › Section 26.004. Access to Student Records

Sec. 26.004.  ACCESS TO STUDENT RECORDS.  (a)  In this section, "intervention strategy" means a strategy in a multi-tiered system of supports that is above the level of intervention generally used in that system with all children.  The term includes response to intervention and other early intervening strategies.
(b)  A parent is entitled to access to all written records of a school district concerning the parent's child, including:
(1)  attendance records;
(2)  test scores;
(3)  grades;
(4)  disciplinary records;
(5)  counseling records;
(6)  psychological records;
(7)  applications for admission;
(8)  health and immunization information;
(9)  teacher and school counselor evaluations;
(10)  reports of behavioral patterns; and
(11)  records relating to assistance provided for learning difficulties, including information collected regarding any intervention strategies used with the child.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 443 (S.B. 715), Sec. 18, eff. June 14, 2013.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 735 (S.B. 1153), Sec. 2, eff. June 12, 2017.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 26 - Parental Rights and Responsibilities › Section 26.005. Access to State Assessments

Sec. 26.005.  ACCESS TO STATE ASSESSMENTS.  Except as provided by Section 39.023(e), a parent is entitled to access to a copy of each state assessment instrument administered under Section 39.023 to the parent's child.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 767, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 26 - Parental Rights and Responsibilities › Section 26.0061. Right to Request Instructional Material Review

Sec. 26.0061.  RIGHT TO REQUEST INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL REVIEW.  (a)  The board of trustees of each school district shall establish a process by which a parent of a student, as indicated on the student registration form at the student's campus, may request an instructional material review under Section 31.0252 for a subject area in the grade level in which the student is enrolled.
(b)  A process established under Subsection (a):
(1)  may not require more than one parent of a student to make the request;
(2)  must provide for the board of trustees of the school district to determine if the request will be granted, either originally or through an appeal process; and
(3)  may permit the requesting parent to review the instructional material directly before the district conducts an instructional material review under Section 31.0252.
(c)  If the parents of at least 25 percent of the students enrolled at a campus present to the board of trustees of the school district in which the campus is located a petition for the board to conduct an instructional material review under Section 31.0252, the board shall, subject to Subsection (d), conduct the review, unless the petition is presented by the parents of less than 50 percent of the students enrolled at the campus and, by a majority vote, the board denies the request.  A review conducted under this subsection shall include a review of instructional materials for each subject area or grade level specified in the petition.
(d)  The board of trustees of a school district is not required to conduct a review under this section for a specific subject area or grade level at a specific district campus more than once per school year.
(e)  Parental access to instructional material provided by an instructional material review conducted under this section is in addition to any other right to access instructional material granted by this title or school district policy.
(f)  The State Board of Education may adopt rules to implement this section.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 818 (H.B. 1605), Sec. 6, eff. June 13, 2023.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 26 - Parental Rights and Responsibilities › Section 26.007. Access to Board Meetings

Sec. 26.007.  ACCESS TO BOARD MEETINGS.  (a)  A parent is entitled to complete access to any meeting of the board of trustees of the school district, other than a closed meeting held in compliance with Subchapters D and E, Chapter 551, Government Code.
(b)  A board of trustees of a school district must hold each public meeting of the board within the boundaries of the district except as required by law or except to hold a joint meeting with another district or with another governmental entity, as defined by Section 2051.041, Government Code, if the boundaries of the governmental entity are in whole or in part within the boundaries of the district.  All public meetings must comply with Chapter 551, Government Code.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1335, Sec. 7, eff. June 19, 1999.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 26 - Parental Rights and Responsibilities › Section 26.008. Right to Full Information Concerning Student

Sec. 26.008.  RIGHT TO FULL INFORMATION CONCERNING STUDENT.  (a)  A parent is entitled to full information regarding the school activities of a parent's child except as provided by Section 38.004.
(b)  An attempt by any school district employee to encourage or coerce a child to withhold information from the child's parent is grounds for discipline under Section 21.104, 21.156, or 21.211, as applicable.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 26 - Parental Rights and Responsibilities › Section 26.0082. Supplemental Educational Services

Sec. 26.0082.  SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.  (a)  In this section, "rigorous research" means research that includes:
(1)  a study design that employs either a randomized controlled trial or a quasi-experimental design;
(2)  an adequate measure of outcomes; and
(3)  reliable and valid results.
(b)  As part of the annual notice a school district provides to parents under 20 U.S.C. Section 6316(e)(2)(A) concerning supplemental educational services, the district shall include information provided to the district by the agency that:
(1)  identifies characteristics of supplemental educational services that, based on rigorous research, have been demonstrated to be more likely to foster improvement in student academic performance, including information concerning the minimum number of hours of tutoring necessary for improved performance; and
(2)  sorts, for each subject for which supplemental educational services are provided, supplemental educational services providers serving district students according to the provider's level of effectiveness in improving student performance in the applicable subject area.
(c)  The agency shall develop and the commissioner by rule shall establish a process for approving and revoking approval for a supplemental educational services provider.  The process must allow the agency to use any publicly available information from any published source in determining whether to approve an entity as a provider, except that the agency may not use information that is self-published or published by a provider for marketing purposes.
(d)  The agency shall maintain a publicly available list of approved providers.  In accordance with standards established by commissioner rule, the agency shall promptly investigate a complaint against an approved provider and promptly remove from the list of approved providers a provider for which agency approval has been revoked.
(e)  Not later than the fifth business day after the date on which the agency removes a provider from the list of approved providers, the agency shall send notice of the removal to each appropriate school district.  The district shall provide notice of the removal to parents of appropriate students.
(f)  A supplemental educational services provider for which agency approval has been revoked because the agency determines that the provider has engaged in fraudulent activity is permanently prohibited from acting as a provider in this state.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 646 (H.B. 753), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.
2023 Texas Statutes › Education Code › Title 2 - Public Education › Subtitle E - Students and Parents › Chapter 26 - Parental Rights and Responsibilities › Section 26.0085. Requests for Public Information

Sec. 26.0085.  REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION.  (a)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school that seeks to withhold information from a parent who has requested public information relating to the parent's child under Chapter 552, Government Code, and that files suit as described by Section 552.324, Government Code, to challenge a decision by the attorney general issued under Subchapter G, Chapter 552, Government Code, must bring the suit not later than the 30th calendar day after the date the school district or open-enrollment charter school receives the decision of the attorney general being challenged.
(b)  A court shall grant a suit described by Subsection (a) precedence over other pending matters to ensure prompt resolution of the subject matter of the suit.
(c)  Notwithstanding any other law, a school district or open-enrollment charter school may not appeal the decision of a court in a suit filed under Subsection (a).  This subsection does not affect the right of a parent to appeal the decision.
(d)  If the school district or open-enrollment charter school does not bring suit within the period established by Subsection (a), the school district or open-enrollment charter school shall comply with the decision of the attorney general.
(e)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school that receives a request from a parent for public information relating to the parent's child shall comply with Chapter 552, Government Code.  If an earlier deadline for bringing suit is established under Chapter 552, Government Code, Subsection (a) does not apply.  This section does not affect the earlier deadline for purposes of Section 532.353(b)(3) for a suit brought by an officer for public information.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1335, Sec. 8, eff. June 19, 1999.