Office of the General Counsel

The Office of General Counsel Division provides information and resources about legal issues related to Titles 1 and 2 of the Texas Education Code (TEC), as well as other TEC provisions for primary or secondary education that affect Texas public education.  Our office answers general questions and provides information about state law but cannot provide legal advice to any party.

Resource Guide

Resource Type Resource Link

Information on appeals to the Commissioner of Education and hearings before an Independent Hearing Examiner

Hearings & Appeals

Information on local grievance processes

Local Level Grievance Process

Information on submitting an open records request for any TEA record subject to the Public Information Act

Public Information (Open Records)

Information on where to direct a subpoena (subpoenas for records only)

Public Information (Open Records)

Information on serving the Commissioner of Education with process (for lawsuits)

 

Process may be served at the Texas Education Agency, 1701 N. Congress Ave, 2nd Floor Receptionist, Austin, Texas 78701

Process Server Methods of Service

Information on filing a special education mediation request

Special Education Mediation Program

Information on filing a special education due process request

Special Education Due Process Hearing

Information on ordering a Texas School Law Bulletin

2024 Texas School Law Bulletin

Information on reporting violations of school law by school entities, educators, and educator preparation programs

Complaint Management

Questions related to COVID

TEA COVID Guidance

Information on submission of questions related to COVID issues

disasterinfo@tea.texas.gov

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Currently under construction

Process Server Methods of Service

The agency may receive citations via email, but it will not be considered as proper notification/filing and will be considered as a courtesy that the Agency should be expecting a lawsuit.  A person may email their courtesy citation/suit to tealegal@tea.texas.gov and make an appointment to deliver service on Tuesday or Thursday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., or use the service by mail method.  

Please note, a process server may not leave a citation/lawsuit with the Agency Receptionist unless it has been authorized by the Office of General Counsel Division to accept the service.

For additional questions, you may contact the Legal office at (512) 463-9720 or email at tealegal@tea.texas.gov.

Address Confidentiality Program

This page contains information about the enrollment of a student in a household participating in the Office of Attorney General (OAG) Address Confidentiality Program.

Authorization Agreement for Non-parent Relative

This page contains information about school enrollment rules when a child is in the care of a non-parent relative.

Additional Legal Resources

Texas Education Agency and the Office of Legal Services have no control over the content of these sites.  If you find an error on any site, please contact that site’s webmaster.

Student Discipline Matters

The Commissioner of Education generally has no authority over local student discipline matters, except under Texas Education Code §§37.006-(i) and 37.006-(j). Student disciplinary appeals should be filed in the Texas district court in the county in which the school district's administrative offices are located.

Disclaimer

The Texas Education Code is maintained by Texas Legislature Online, which updates the Code when the publisher notifies it of changes. Please review the Texas Legislature online website for the current Code status.

 

Contact Information

Office of General Counsel
1701 N. Congress Ave.
Austin, Texas 78701

Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Central Time)
Direct Office Line: (512) 463-9720

Email: tealegal@tea.texas.gov

Press 1 for General Education, Public Information, and Subpoena matters
Press 2 for Special Education Mediation
Press 3 for Special Education Due Process
Press 4 for Appeals before the Commissioner of Education (not complaints)
Press 5 for Charter Schools
Press 6 for Education Certification & Standards
Press 7 for Contract Abandonment
Press 0 for the Receptionist