Texas Education Code §25.082(b)

UPDATE — August 26, 2026

I have now received a response from the Levelland High School principal regarding my concerns about the Pledge of Allegiance.

The principal explained that he did not initially receive my email and stated that he had since spoken with Superintendent Dr. Heseman after Dr. Heseman forwarded my original message to him.

He acknowledged that the pledges were not conducted during the first few days of school and described that as an oversight. He also stated that the pledges had been conducted over the previous two days and explained that they are normally conducted before the school's morning announcements.

The principal further stated that, going forward, the school will make sure the pledges are recited every school day, regardless of whether there are morning announcements.

I appreciate the principal responding to my concerns and acknowledging that the pledges were missed during the first few days of school. I also appreciate his commitment to make sure they are conducted every school day going forward.

However, there is still one point that I am trying to clarify.

My child's account of what occurred at the high school does not match the principal's statement that the pledges were conducted over the previous two days. According to my child, the Pledge was not recited as described.

At this point, I am not interested in assuming that either account is intentionally inaccurate. I simply have two different accounts of what happened, and I believe it is reasonable for a parent to want to understand why those accounts differ.

The purpose of raising this issue was never to create conflict or to criticize the school. It was simply to ask whether the daily requirement was being followed.

The principal has now stated that the school will ensure the pledges are conducted every school day, regardless of whether there are announcements. I will take him at his word and will continue to monitor what my child reports going forward.

If the pledges are now consistently being conducted each school day, then I will consider the matter addressed.

This is also a reminder of why accountability matters. Asking questions does not necessarily mean assuming someone has done something wrong. Sometimes it means recognizing that there are conflicting accounts, asking for clarification, and then allowing the school an opportunity to correct or explain the situation.

For now, I am watching and documenting—not assuming.

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As a parent, sometimes you have to ask questions—not because you're looking for a fight, but because you believe our schools should follow the laws and policies that govern them.

When the school year began, both of my children told me that the Pledge of Allegiance was not being recited at their schools. I initially thought perhaps it was simply something that had been missed during the first few days of the school year.

I reached out to the principal to ask for clarification.

I want to make an important correction to what I previously understood: Levelland Middle School did recite the Pledge of Allegiance yesterday. However, my child at Levelland High School reported that the Pledge was not recited there yesterday.

So, at this point, my concern is specifically regarding the High School.

Texas Education Code §25.082 provides that the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas flag are to be recited once during each school day at each campus.

There is an important distinction here. Students have rights regarding whether they personally participate. A student should not be forced to recite the Pledge. But that is different from whether the school is required to provide the daily recitation.

This isn't about telling another parent what their child should believe.

It's not about forcing a student to stand, speak, or participate.

It's about asking whether the school is following the law.

I have contacted the principal and am currently waiting for a response. I hope there is a simple explanation, and I look forward to hearing it.

I believe parents should be able to ask questions about what is happening in their children's schools without being labeled as difficult or confrontational. Transparency and accountability begin with being willing to ask questions and expecting straightforward answers.

Regardless of where someone stands on the Pledge of Allegiance, the law should be clear, the school should follow it, and parents deserve to know what is happening in their children's schools.

Sometimes accountability starts with nothing more than asking:

“Are we following the law?”