Disaster Recovery: School Rights

Enroll them where you are staying. Your children have a legal right to attend school in Texas after a disaster. If they can’t go to their usual school, you have the right to enroll your children in the school district where you are living. Contact the school district and tell them you have children you want to enroll in school because of the disaster.

Learn more about school rights for displaced children.

Going to school is good for most children who have survived a disaster. 

• It helps children keep up with their school work.
• School gives children a much-needed normal routine.
• School gives parents a break and allows them time to do what they need to help the family recover from the disaster.
• School can help to feed eligible children through the breakfast and lunch programs.

Yes.  It does not matter where you live—your children have a right to go to school. You can be living in a shelter, tent, trailer, hotel, motel, campground, in your car, a park with friends or relatives—your children have the legal right to go to school.

Very little. Typically you will not need proof that you live in the area, old school records, or shot records. Your children will be enrolled for 30 days without the usual paperwork. That time will probably be extended if you cannot get home or get the papers at the end of 30 days. 

Probably.  Children who have survived a disaster and are enrolling in school have all the same legal rights as any other children going to school. If children living near where you are living are riding the bus, your children will probably get to ride the bus, too.

You have the legal right to enroll your child in school, and your child has the legal right to get needed special services. Federal law protects children who have disabilities.

• Even if you do not have paperwork about your child, like the “Individualized Education Plan” that the child’s old school did, you still have the right to enroll your child, and your child has the right to special services.
• You should tell the new school what your child’s special needs are. The school must work with you to provide the special services your child needs.