Texas Bill on Parental Rights in Education Clears Senate; Awaiting Votes on Additional Measures

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Texas Senate Advances Parental Rights in Education

In a significant legislative move, the Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill 112, reinforcing parental rights regarding access to their children’s educational records. Authored by Republican Senator Bob Hall from North Texas, the bill aims to amend the Texas Education Code to explicitly grant parents the right to access their child’s electronic records—such as test scores and attendance—as well as traditional written documents. This initiative is part of a broader trend among Texas Republicans to strengthen parental oversight in education.

Senate Bill 112 is designed to address a growing concern among parents who have reported difficulties in obtaining the educational records of their children, despite these rights being enshrined in state law. The legislation mandates that schools must obtain parental consent for various assessments, including well-being questionnaires, health care screenings, and any psychological tests. “In practice, schools are not always forthcoming with information, and parents have reported difficulty obtaining their student’s records, to which they are entitled by law,” states the bill’s intent.

Accompanying this legislation is Senate Joint Resolution 12, co-authored by Senator Angela Paxton of McKinney, which proposes a constitutional amendment aimed at affirming parental rights in directing their child’s education. If passed, this amendment will be placed before voters in November. The resolution delineates a range of rights, including the ability to choose alternative forms of education and access public school instructional materials, asserting that these existing rights warrant constitutional elevation for greater clarity and enforcement.

Additionally, Senator Paxton has introduced Senate Bill 204, which would require the State Board of Education to develop a handbook to inform parents of their rights in the education system. Furthermore, it stipulates that school board trustees complete a training course focusing on these rights. This bill has already passed the Senate Education Committee, indicating a growing legislative momentum behind parental involvement in educational policies.

As education policy continues to evolve in Texas, these proposals reflect a significant shift towards prioritizing parental input and oversight within public schooling. The Senate’s actions potentially set the stage for heightened engagement and advocacy from parents, ensuring that their rights and responsibilities in the educational landscape are both recognized and upheld.

For those interested in further developments on educational policy and parental rights in Texas, follow KERA’s education reporter, Bill Zeeble, on social media for real-time updates.

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This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of new legislative changes in Texas regarding parental rights in education, alongside relevant context to inform both parents and stakeholders about the implications of these developments.