Gavel and books

Law & Statute

Understanding the basics of law and statute help parents, families, educators, and the community be more effective advocates for the needs of children and families. Knowing the law and statute can help:

  • Understand the rights of children and families

  • Advocate for the needs of parents and families

  • Hold government agencies accountable

  • Navigate the legal system

Title I, Part A Carryover Guidance from TEA

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has issued guidance on how local education agencies (LEAs) can carry over Title I, Part A funds from one year to the next.

Title I, Part A Use of Funds Reference Document

The Title I, Part A Use of Funds Reference Document has been revised to provide additional specificity based on whether the use of funds is related to campus expenditures or LEA expenditures.

Teacher working with family

Building Capacity

Building Capacity Toolkit

Building capacity in schools for parents refers to the process of helping parents develop the skills and knowledge they need to be effective partners in their child's education. This can involve a variety of activities, such as:

  • Providing parents with information about the school's curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices,

  • Offering training to parents on how to support their child's learning at home, and

  • Connecting parents with community resources that can support their child's learning and development.

By helping parents to develop the skills and knowledge they need to support their child's learning, schools can help to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

To read more about the building capacity requirements as laid out in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), click below.

PFE Toolkit

The Building Capacity Toolkit encompasses information and resources on ways to strengthen the capacity of parents/guardians and foster a strong partnership between the school and home as laid out in subsection (e) of ESSA 1116.

Statute

Educational statute refers to the laws that have been enacted by a legislative body and that apply to schools. These laws can cover a wide range of topics, such as school attendance, curriculum, teacher education and licensure, student discipline, and school funding.

Statutes play an important role in schools by ensuring that all students have access to a quality education and that their rights are protected. For example, statutes require states to provide a free and appropriate public education to all students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, disability, or socioeconomic status.

Statutes require states to develop and implement standards for academic achievement and to assess students' progress against those standards. Statutes also require states to disclose information about school performance to the public.

Parent hugging child

Parents

Parent resources for educational statute are a valuable tool for parents to understand the laws that govern their child's education. These resources can help parents to stay informed about the school's policies, understand the school's rationale for its policies, and advocate for their child.

Title I, Part A programs are federal education programs that provide supplemental funding to state and local educational agencies to acquire additional education resources at schools serving high concentrations of students from low-income homes. These resources are used to improve the quality of education programs and ensure students from low-income families have opportunities to meet challenging state assessments.

Learn more about how the PFE requirements section of the Title I, Part A Program can be carried out.

Title I, Part A

We also have toolkits with more information on:

  • Written Policies

  • Annual Title I, Part A Meeting

  • Evaluation

  • School-Parent Compact

  • Building Capacity