Sept. 11, 2013
TO THE ADMINISTRATORS ADDRESSED:
SUBJECT: Procedures for the start of the day
Please allow this letter to serve as a reminder of statutory requirements for procedures at the beginning of every school day. Recent statutory changes apply these requirements to open-enrollment charter schools and require the display of the United States and Texas flags. Section 25.082 of the Texas Education Code stipulates: The board of trustees of each school district and open-enrollment charter school shall require students, once during each school day at each school in the district to recite:
(1) The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag; and
(2) The Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas state flag.
A school district or charter shall excuse a student from reciting a pledge of allegiance upon written request from the student’s parent or guardian. The statute also requires that the United States and Texas flags be prominently displayed in each classroom to which a student is assigned at the time the pledge is recited.
Following the recitation of the pledges, the statute requires that all districts and charters provide the observance of one minute of silence at each school. During the one-minute period, each student may, as the student chooses, reflect, pray, meditate or engage in any other silent activity that is not likely to interfere with or distract another student.
Each teacher or other school employee in charge of students during that specific period shall ensure that each of those students remain silent and does not act in a manner that is likely to interfere with or distract another student.
If you have any questions about these procedures, please contact our Legal Division at (512) 463-9720.
Commissioner of Education