Dear State Representative –

Currently, there is no standard of documentation needed to approve an absence for a religious holiday across Texas. As a result, schools may request notes from clergy before excusing a child’s nonattendance, compounding parents’ responsibilities.

As your constituent, I ask that you support HB1212, which takes an essential step to ensure no student has to choose between their faith and education. The bill ensures absences for a religious holy day are excused with a note from a child’s parents and that additional documentation is never needed.

I also ask that you support HB1883, which prevents state-administered exams from being scheduled on 10 holidays: All Saints Day, Christmas, Diwali, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Vaisakhi, Vesak, and Yom Kippur. The simple step has a significant ripple effect by preventing a central obstacle students face is celebrating their faith. Ensuring state testing does not occur during state testing additionally demonstrates Texas’ commitment to religious freedom, ensuring a student’s academics do not interfere with their faith.

I firmly believe no student should ever have to choose between their faith and education. As a result, I strongly support the aforementioned and urge you to sign on.

Thank you for your time and consideration.