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Parental and Student Privacy and Information Rights

Information Regarding Your Survey

If you found this page without taking our survey, please take the time to complete the Parent Complaint Navigator Survey.

Parents and students are entitled to certain rights regarding student information under federal and state laws (for example, Texas Education Code Chapter 26). If you have a concern regarding the inappropriate release, withholding, or gathering of student information, below you can find information that may be helpful. To access this page in the future, open a new window and bookmark the page in your browser, or email or text yourself a copy of the link.

Getting Started

If your concern relates to your student’s privacy or their information being disclosed without permission TEA's general education complaint process can most likely address your concern. Complete TEA's General Education Complaint Form online, we will review your complaint carefully and let you know if we can investigate your concern.  By law, TEA can only investigate Texas educators for releasing confidential or identifiable student information if they are certified. If you would like to check whether the person you are reporting holds a Texas education certification, you can search this certification database using the educator’s legal first and last names.

You also have the option of filing your complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO): SPPO’s complaints assistance webpage provides information such as who may file a complaint, reporting deadlines, and requirements for filing a complaint. It is critical that you meet SPPO’s reporting deadlines. Complaint forms are available in English and Spanish.  

  1. If your concern relates to your student’s information being improperly withheld TEA's general education complaint process can most likely address your concern. Complete TEA's General Education Complaint Form online, we will review your complaint carefully and let you know if we can investigate your concern. If your complaint is about a specific educator improperly withholding student information, TEA can only investigate this matter if the educator holds a Texas educator certification. To check whether the person you are reporting is certified, you can search this certification database using the educator’s legal first and last names.
     
  2. If your complaint does not involve a certified educator, the fastest way to resolve your concern is through the agency’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process. Once we receive your complaint, we will connect you with your school district's superintendent, in writing, and formally ask that the district engage with you to attempt to reach an agreement that addresses your concern. If you notify us that your concern was not addressed through ADR, the agency can conduct a compliance review to ensure your district is following applicable policies and statutory and program requirements.
     
  3. If your concern relates to your student being required to provide information without permission TEA's general education complaint process can most likely address your concern. Complete TEA's General Education Complaint Form online, we will review your complaint carefully and let you know if we can investigate your concern.
     
  4. If you have a different student information concern file a local grievance: Every district’s process might be a little different. To find your district’s local grievance policy, ask an administrator how to access the relevant policies, which might be on the district’s board policy website. If you choose to file a local grievance, acting quickly is important to meet your school district’s reporting deadlines! You may be required to report your concern within 10–15 days of becoming aware of this issue.
     
  5. Contact us if you need help—we're here for you: You can reach us at complaintsmanagement@tea.texas.gov or (512) 463-3544. When leaving a voicemail or sending an email, please include your first and last name, your phone number, your question, and any other relevant information. 

Helpful Tips

  • Include your contact information on your TEA complaint form: Under the law, TEA cannot investigate complaints about educator misconduct if contact information is not provided.
  • If you are filing a complaint with TEA on behalf of a parent or student over 18 years old, you must complete a Release Form: Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as FERPA, we must have a completed form signed by the parent or adult student to release information to you. Attach the completed release form to the complaint form or email it to complaintsmanagement@tea.texas.gov. 
  •  Learn about the steps TEA may take once we receive your complaint: It may be a lengthy process if TEA needs to investigate.
  • Learn about your district’s grievance process by reviewing your district’s local policies: Pay particular attention to the following local grievance policies:
    - DGBA (LOCAL) for employee grievances;
    - FNG (LOCAL) for student and parent grievances; and
    - GF (LOCAL) for grievances by all others, including vendors and taxpayers.
  •  Visit TEA's webpage on local grievance: We provide tips on how to navigate the process. 
  • Share your feedback with us: TEA values your opinion! Email us at teafeedback@tea.texas.gov. 

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