Complaints Addressed by Other Agencies
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) only handles complaints related to violation of school law or the agency itself. The following are complaint matters typically addressed by other agencies:
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
The confidentiality of student education records is governed by Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Enforcement of FERPA provisions is the responsibility of the United States Department of Education, Student Privacy Policy Office. Frequently asked questions about student privacy are available on the following U.S. Department of Education website: https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/frequently-asked-questions. Questions about student privacy or FERPA may be submitted using the online form: https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/contact. If you would like to speak to someone in person, please call the Student Privacy Help Desk at 1-855-249-3072. If you wish to file a complaint, you can find information about this process here: https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/file-a-complaint.
Health Concerns
The Department of State Health Services handles reports of hazardous conditions or health standards in school facilities.
Wage Disputes or Other Local Employment Matters
The Texas Workforce Commission handles public school employee employment claims, including wage and salary disputes involving public schools. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
Criminal Activity
Allegations of criminal conduct do not fall within the jurisdiction of the Texas Education Agency. Criminal allegations will be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement entities as well as to school officials.
Ethics
Open Government Ethics, which include the Texas Open Meetings Act and the Texas Public Information Act, are under the Texas Government Code. The Office of the Attorney General maintains an Open Government website and hotline to provide resources and assistance to individuals who have questions about open government ethics.
School Board Elections
The Secretary of State's Office reviews school board member elections.
Interscholastic Activities
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) governs competitive sports and programs in schools. The UIL-TEA Side-by-Side Handbook describes UIL requirements and dispute resolution process.
Education Institutions Other Than Public K-12 Schools
- The Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) addresses matters involving post-secondary public institutions, colleges, and universities.
- You can verify private school accreditation through the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) and International Association for Learner Driven Schools (IALDS).
- The Texas Home School Coalition provides home schooling information and resources.