Parent Support Hub

Help for parents navigating Texas public schools

Contact the Parent Support Program

The Parent Support Hub helps Texas parents understand how public schools work, what to do when questions or concerns arise, and how to navigate the system with confidence.

Key Information About Texas Public Schools

  • Enrollment in Texas Public Schools

    Every child in Texas has the right to a free public education. Parents, guardians, or others standing in parental relation may enroll a child in the public school district where the child resides or choose another public option, such as a charter school.

  • About School Boards

    Every public school district in Texas is governed by a locally elected school board. School board members, often called trustees, are responsible for setting direction, adopting policies, and overseeing the district on behalf of the community.

If you have a concern about your child’s school

Most concerns can be resolved directly with the school or district, which is often the quickest way to address an issue.

  • Begin by speaking with the person closest to the issue.

    • Contact your child’s teacher, counselor, or campus administrator
    • Share your concern and ask how it can be addressed
    • Many issues can be resolved at this stage without taking formal action

    If the concern is not resolved, the next step is your school district’s formal grievance process.

    If your child receives special education services

    You may still start by raising concerns with your school, but the next steps are different.

    Learn about your options

  • Every school district is required to have a formal process for resolving concerns. Some issues must go through this process before they can be reviewed elsewhere.

    What to expect

    • Act promptly: You must file within 60 days of learning about the issue.
    • Informal resolution: If you attempt to resolve the issue informally, you may have up to 90 days to file.
    • Hearing timeline: The school or district must hold a grievance hearing within 10 days of submission.
    • Notice: You will receive at least 5 business days’ notice before the hearing.
    • Decision: You will receive a written decision within 20 days after the hearing.

    Tips for filing

    • Write down key details (dates, names, what happened)
    • Keep copies of emails, messages, and notes

    Where to find grievance information

    • On the district’s website (look for “policies” or similar)
    • In the student handbook
    • Under these policy codes:
      • FNG (LOCAL): student and parent grievances
      • DGBA (LOCAL): employee grievances
      • GF (LOCAL): grievances by others

    Appeal a district decision to the commissioner of education

     

  • If your concern is not resolved through the district’s grievance process, use the Parent Complaint Navigator to identify next steps. It asks a few quick questions and guides you to the right pathway—whether that is submitting a complaint to TEA or connecting you with another agency that can help. Most concerns must be addressed at the school or district level first.

    Parent Complaint Navigator

    About the general education complaints process

    Types of concerns addressed by other agencies