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.  

This page provides information about many of the parental rights and options described in the Texas Education Code, including the right to refuse or remove your child from certain activities and instruction. It is not a complete description of all parental rights. Parents should review the Parental Rights and Responsibilities form along with our district’s student handbook.  

Rights Regarding Health Care and Health-Related Services

Before the first day of the school year, districts must inform parents of each health-related service offered at the campus their child attends. Health-related services will vary by campus and district but might include services such as school counseling services, physical health screenings, first aid, management of chronic illnesses, medication administration, social skills training, substance abuse prevention, and stress management. When notice is provided to a parent, a statement must also be provided of the parent’s right to decline or deny consent for any health-related service. 

Parents retain their right to make medical and health care decisions for their child and consent will be sought prior to care being provided unless it is for life saving care or otherwise prohibited or not required under other existing laws. 

A parent may submit a written request to the school to administer nonprescription medication to their child if the medication provided by the parent is unexpired, appears to be in the original container, and the dose requested by the parent is consistent with the container’s label. Prescription medication that the parent would like administered to their child at school would need to also be submitted with a written request by the parent asking that it be administered to the child while at school. 

School counselors must implement a comprehensive school counseling program in accordance with state law and guidelines. However, each school must annually conduct a preview of the program for parents, and parents could choose to remove their child from the services provided under this program. 

Form: Health Services Parental Consent 

Rights Regarding Instructional Materials and Library Materials 

To increase and sustain parental involvement in children’s education, parents have many rights of access and oversight of instructional materials used in their children’s classrooms. A parent is entitled to review all teaching materials, instructional materials, and other teaching aids used in their child’s classroom. Similarly, parents are entitled to access and review available library materials. Parents may submit lists of library materials that their child is not permitted to access which the school must enforce. Parents must also be able to access their student’s library records. Parents may request formal reviews of both instructional materials and library materials. 

Details & Forms: Library Services

Rights regarding Counseling Services

Schools are required to notify parents/guardians about school counselor/mental health services and provide parents/guardians an opportunity to opt out of these services. school counselors do not conduct psychological diagnoses or exams. Instead, they provide support in areas such as teaching state-required character traits (e.g., responsibility, courage, kindness), advising on course selections and career opportunities, and delivering additional services outlined in the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Program.

Details and Form: Notice of and Consent for School Counseling Services

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