Parental Rights and Responsibilities

Phony political action committees, self-proclaimed “activists”, and conspiracy theory media would like Texas parents to believe that they are helpless and hopeless when sending their children to so-called “government schools.” These groups have deployed misleading tactics across the state. Many constituents have found questionable flyers in their mailboxes or received mass text messages on their phones. Public education is under attack like never before seen in Texas.

There are many things that make Texas stand apart. We have the best BBQ in the world, the greatest sports teams in the country, and of course, the most conservative government in the Union. Another thing Texas does best: letting parents be parents.

While other states battle to secure parental rights, Texans can rest assured, as their parental rights have been guaranteed for decades. As summer break comes to an end and the school year begins, it’s crucial for parents of our great public-schools to be well-informed about these rights.

Here are just some of those rights from the Texas Education Code:

Sec. 26.001 - Purpose

Parents are partners with educators, administrators, and school district boards of trustees in their children’s education.

Parents have the right to actively participate in creating and implementing educational programs for their children.

Raising our Texas children cannot be successfully done by teachers alone. Nor should it.

Parental involvement in education is essential for children to maintain strong academics and obtain moral social behavior. Ask your child’s teachers questions, stay in-the-know about what your student is learning each week. Read their syllabuses, look over their homework, and ask your student about what they are doing at school. Teachers appreciate dedicated, knowledgeable, and observant parents because they want your child to succeed.

Sec. 26.004 - Access to Student Records

Parents have access to written records concerning their child, including attendance, test scores, grades, disciplinary records, counseling records, health information, evaluations, and learning assistance records.

Sec. 26.005 - Access to State Assessments

Parents have the right to access copies of state assessment instruments administered to their child, except as provided by Section 39.023(e).

Sec. 26.006 - Access to Teaching Materials

Parents have the right to review teaching materials, tests, and observe virtual instruction used in their child’s classroom.

Teaching materials and tests must be made readily available for review by parents.

Students may be allowed to take home instructional materials upon request, subject to availability and return conditions.

Login credentials for online learning systems must be provided to parents.

Parents should be encouraged to be an active steward of their student’s academic materials. Parents have the right to view and obtain the records; parents should exercise that right. To hold your student accountable, let them know that you are watching and observing their academic performance. Staying aware of school activities will enable parents to work with teachers and students to produce successful graduates.

Contrary to the barrage of criticism aimed at our public schools and educators, we are blessed with an overwhelming majority of educators that seek, each and every day, to effectively teach and nurture our students. These are the teachers that sit beside us in church and spend countless hours, outside the classroom, planning and developing teaching skills and curriculum. Parents and teachers make great teams when they respect each other and work together.

Along with the extensive Parental Rights afforded to all public school parents, Texas grants all of its citizens with extensive educational freedom, meaning that parents can send their student to any type of school they so wish, public, private, charter, virtual, or homeschool.

So, before we get too busy with all of the back-to-school activities, the extracurriculars, the sports…take a moment to read the Texas Education Code and get familiar with your rights. The list of rights is extensive. Do it for yourself, our educators, and most importantly for our students, the future of Texas!

Glenn Rogers is the Texas State Representative for House District 60, which includes Parker County.