Back to School Rights: COVID-19 Isn’t the Only Issue

Many schools across Texas are heading back to school (in person or online) this month, and it’s important for students and parents to know their rights. First of all, this school year is very different than others and parents may have many concerns about the opening or refusal to open of schools for the fall semester in the midst of COVID-19. For parents who may want to homeschool their children, Texas Values can help provide resources on how to write a letter to the school district to disenroll your child in public schools. 

Some parents may be concerned that private schools have to follow local or state orders when it comes to opening (or being forced to stay closed) for the fall semester. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a letter saying that no government may impose a blanket ban that prevents private religious schools from opening. Parents also need to be aware of radical sex education that the school district may be pushing. In many Texas school districts, radical sex education is being adopted without parental input, or is being hidden from parents. Our policy team has put together a comprehensive resource page to help equip parents and students with all their back-to-school rights.

Texas Private Christian School Defends Right to Open Doors 

Cameron County and its government health authority recently told school officials at a private Christian religious school in South Texas that they may not open, despite state legal guidance to the contrary. After seeing a letter of guidance from Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office, Laguna Madre Christian Academy’s leadership notified Cameron County that they would be opening on August 31, with an enrollment of 20 students. First Liberty Institute, the school’s legal counsel, has argued that the school opening is legal under state law, referring to Attorney General Paxton’s letter. 

Not only has Attorney General Paxton been very consistent about the right of Texas schools to decide when to open for themselves, General Paxton gave special reassurance that local governments must not infringe on a religious private school’s right to open. COVID-19 is no excuse for local officials to disregard religious liberty. Texas Values fully supports this Christian school and we stand ready to assist the efforts of First Liberty Institute in their important defense of our constitutional rights.