Parental Rights
Parental Rights
Required Parental Rights Form
SB 12 requires TEA to “develop a form for use by school districts in providing information about parental rights and options.” Each district is required to provide the parental rights form to parents upon their child’s enrollment in the district for the first time and to the parent of each child enrolled in the district at the beginning of each school year. It further requires each district to post the form in a prominent location on the district’s website.
To comply with the parental rights form requirement, TEA has prepared a Parental Rights and Options Form designed for parents and families that details parental rights and options, including the right to withhold consent for or exempt the parent’s child from certain activities and instruction, related to:
- Courses of study and supplemental services
- Instructional materials and library materials
- Health education instruction
- Instruction regarding sexual orientation and gender identity
- School options, including virtual and remote schooling
- Immunizations
- Gifted and talented programs
- Promotion, retention, and graduation
- Grade, class rank, and attendance
- State standards and requirements
- Data collection practices
- Health care services, including notice and consent
- Special education and bilingual education
- Grievance procedures
By January 1, 2026, in addition to SB 12 parental rights form requirements and as a requirement of SB 204, TEA must also create and maintain a parental rights handbook that explains all rights of a parent regarding the education of the parent’s child. This handbook is currently in development and will be released in the coming months.
Health Services
Opt-In Required (Must provide consent before the service can be provided.)
- Administration of medication (with written parent request and/or physician order)
- Special nursing procedures (with written parent request and/or physician order)
- Medical procedures (with written parent request and/or physician order)
Opt-Out Allowed (Service is assumed unless the parent declines.)
- First Aid
- Routine screenings (vision, hearing, spinal, and Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children)
- Wellness promotion and education (nutrition, hygiene, prevention, wellness) beyond what is taught through grade level or course instruction
Always Provided
- Care in a medical emergency or services required by law
- General caretaking (bandages, bloody noses, checking a temperature, clothing changes)
At any time, if you wish to change your preferences or indicate consent for specific services, please complete the form below and return it to your school nurse.