Parent Denial Process

In Texas, parents have the legal right to deny bilingual education or ESL program services for their child identified as an emergent bilingual student. This denial must be documented in writing using the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) standard form, after the school provides information on program benefits and implications.  Even with denial, the child remains classified as an emergent bilingual student, continues annual testing via TELPAS, and may receive general linguistic supports as needed.   Campus leaders must follow a structured process to ensure compliance with state law. 

Key Steps

1.  Confer and Explain Program: Meet with the parent to fully explain the program's purpose, content, benefits, and implications of the denial. Offer to answer questions and provide additional details.

2.  Obtain Written Denial: If the parent still wants to deny services, complete and sign the TEA Standardized Parental Denial of Program Services letter. (Links Below) Make sure all information is complete and have the parent sign.  

3.  Retain the original and provide the parent with a copy.  If the parent is denying a bilingual program but chooses ESL instead, this denial letter then becomes the ESL permission letter.  

4.  Submit Parent Denial Letter:  Submit the original letter into the MISD LPAC Bank.  

Post-Denial Requirements

1.  Continue annual TELPAS assessments in listening, speaking, reading, and writing until reclassification criteria are met.

2.  Provide general linguistic supports (e.g., ELPS in content classes) and monitor academic progress yearly via Annual Review LPAC.

3.  Re-evaluate if the parent later approves.