Required School Subjects in Houston, TX - Law Guide

Education Texas 3 Minutes Read · published February 05, 2026 Flag of Texas

In Houston, Texas public school curricula are set by state law and the State Board of Education; local districts implement those requirements for district schools. This article explains which subjects Texas requires, how the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards shape course content, and the roles of the Texas Education Agency and Houston Independent School District in implementing and enforcing curricular requirements. It also outlines how parents and guardians can review curriculum, request information, or raise complaints with officials.

Who sets required subjects

Texas state law and the State Board of Education adopt the required curriculum framework for all public school districts, including Houston ISD. For statutory text and the legal basis for required courses, consult the Texas Education Code and the State Board of Education/TEA curriculum standards. Texas Education Code, Chapter 28[1] and the TEA standards pages describe the adopted frameworks and implementation guidance. TEA - Standards and TEKS[2]

Required subjects and how they are defined

  • English language arts and reading
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social studies (including U.S. and Texas history, government, economics and geography)
  • Fine arts
  • Physical education and health
  • Languages other than English (where offered)
  • Career and technical education
  • Technology applications and other required electives
State-adopted TEKS define the learning standards for each required subject.

Local implementation

Houston Independent School District adopts district course catalogs, graduation plans, and local policies that implement state requirements; local boards may add electives and specify sequencing but may not remove statutorily required courses. For Houston ISD implementation details and district course catalogs see the district academics and curriculum pages. Houston ISD Academics[3]

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of curriculum requirements is principally administrative rather than criminal: the Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees district compliance and may use monitoring, corrective-action plans, accreditation and funding consequences where a district fails to meet statutory or regulatory obligations.

  • Fines or monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: TEA typically proceeds from monitoring to required corrective action and then to accreditation sanctions or other state actions if noncompliance continues; exact escalation steps vary by case and are detailed in TEA enforcement procedures. TEA - Enforcement and Accountability
  • Non-monetary sanctions: corrective action plans, required reporting, accreditation warnings or loss of certain state designations or prizes.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: complaints or reports about curriculum compliance are routed to TEA and to the local district administration; parents may contact Houston ISD policy offices or TEA accountability units for review.
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits for administrative decisions are set within TEA rules and district policies; specific statutory appeal deadlines are not specified on the cited page.
TEA enforces statewide requirements; local enforcement is through the district board and administration.

Applications & Forms

There is no single statewide "curriculum approval" form for parents; district requests for information or formal complaints typically use Houston ISD contact or complaint forms, and TEA accepts certain complaint submissions through its official reporting portals. Specific form names, numbers, fees, or filing deadlines are not specified on the cited pages; contact district or TEA for current forms and submission instructions.[2]

Action steps for parents and guardians

  • Review district course guides and TEKS for grade-level expectations.
  • Request curriculum materials or syllabi from your campus principal or Houston ISD curriculum office.
  • If unresolved, file a complaint with Houston ISD per district procedures, then escalate to TEA if needed.
Most disputes are resolved at the campus or district level before state action is required.

FAQ

Who decides what subjects Houston public schools must teach?
State law and the State Board of Education set required subjects and standards; local districts implement them and may add electives.
Can parents opt a child out of required subjects?
Opt-out rights depend on the subject and statutory provisions; for specific opt-out or exemption rules consult district policy and TEA guidance.
Where do I see the specific standards for a course?
Course standards are published as the TEKS on the TEA website and by Houston ISD in district course guides.

How-To

  1. Find your child’s course list on the Houston ISD campus or district website and note the listed standards.
  2. Compare the listed course to the TEKS on the TEA standards pages to confirm required content.
  3. Contact the campus principal or curriculum office to request syllabi or instructional materials.
  4. If unresolved, follow district complaint procedures and consider filing a complaint with TEA for formal review.

Key Takeaways

  • The state, not the city, determines required public school subjects in Houston.
  • TEKS are the controlling academic standards; districts implement them locally.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Texas Education Code, Chapter 28
  2. [2] TEA - Standards and TEKS
  3. [3] Houston ISD Academics

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