Lone Star College System recognizes that being a student parent comes with unique challenges and incredible strength. Whether a student is expecting, raising young children, or supporting a family while pursuing their education, they don't have to navigate this journey alone. Parenting students need specialized support to achieve their academic goals. While national resources like The Pregnant Scholar and the U.S. Department of Education offer valuable general guidance for pregnant and parenting students, LSCS provides personalized, on-campus assistance through our dedicated support network.

Campus Liaisons

Each Lone Star College campus has a designated Parenting Student Liaison who serves as an advocate for students who are parents or guardians of children under 18. These liaisons connect students with campus and community resources, assist with navigating academic policies, and provide ongoing support from enrollment through graduation.

Academic Accommodations for Pregnant Students

Lone Star College System is committed to ensuring that pregnancy and parenting are never barriers to academic success. We work individually with each student to provide educational adjustments and accommodations that support their academic success while addressing their unique needs as a parent or expectant parent.

Accommodations Services

Students seeking academic accommodations can expect a process that is both straightforward and confidential. Our support team works collaboratively with each student to identify accommodations that best suit their individual circumstances and academic program.

Important: All accommodations must be formally requested through the System’s established procedures to ensure proper documentation and implementation. To complete the request and additional information regrading accommodations, please visit https://www.lonestar.edu/requesting-accommodations.htm. For assistance completing the request, students should contact their Campus Liaison.

Rights and Protections under State Legislation

Rights and Protections Under State and Federal Law

Pregnant and parenting students are protected under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. Title IX also prohibits a school, college, or university from applying any rule related to a student’s parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently based on their gender.

Additionally, Texas has specific legislation extending additional protections for pregnant and parenting students.

Under Texas Education Code. § 51.982 (SB 412), pregnant and parenting students of children under 18 cannot be forced out of school, limit their studies, attend an alternative program, change their major, degree, or certificate program, or be forced into or out of a particular course, activity or program based solely on their parenting status or “issues related to the student’s pregnancy or parenting.” SB 412 states pregnant and parenting students can take a leave of absence and provides further guidance for institutions to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.

Texas Education Code. § 51.982 (HB 1361) requires institutions of higher education to have at least one liaison officer for students who are parents or guardians of children younger than 18 years.

Texas Education Code. § 51.982 (SB 459) extends early registration for parenting students if the institution of higher education provides early registration for any group of students in the same manner.

Related Parent Student Resources

On-Campus Support

• CARE for Completion

The CARE initiative recognizes that students’ basic needs must be met to achieve academic success.
https://www.lonestar.edu/care.htm

Lone Star College System believes in our students' potential, and we are committed to helping you reach their goals. Our campuses have resources to support students and ensure that their basic needs are met to assist them as they achieve academic success.

• Food
• Clothing
• Employment / Career
• Mental Health / Wellness / Substance Abuse
• LSCS Academic Support
• Housing / Finances / Legal
• Child Care / Student Parents
• Off-Campus Resources

The CARE initiative recognizes that students’ basic needs must be met to achieve academic success.
https://www.lonestar.edu/care.htm

• Office of Mental Health and Wellness  

           https://www.lonestar.edu/mentalhealthservices

External Resources

• The Pregnant Scholar https://thepregnantscholar.org/

• U.S. Department of Education https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/pregnancy.html

Lone Star College System Board Policy

https://www.lonestar.edu/departments/generalcounsel/Section%20VI.D.11.%20Student%20Accommodation%20Procedures_2025.04.25.pdf  

Contact

Dr. Ashlie Resendez
AVC Student Engagement
20515 SH 249
Houston, TX 77070

For any questions about Lone Star College System Student Parents please email LSC-ParentingStudentSupport@lonestar.edu