Can a principal change a student's grade?   

According to Sharon Jackson of the TEA Legal Department, there are only three justifiable reasons to change a grade.  They are as follows:
1.  An error in addition.
2.  Transposition of a number from the gradebook to the report card.
3.  Violation of district grading policy in regard to how the teacher arrived at the grade.

If the principal chooses to change the grade, he/she must have written documentation as to why.  If the teacher refuses to change the grade, the teacher can be considered insubordinate.  If you are requested to change a grade, you should perform the following actions:

1.  Ask for the reasons why the request is being made.
2.  Ask for any and all documentation that would support such a request.
3. Make the change with a notation to the principal that you disagree with the change and will follow up after contacting your local association representative.

      UEA  contacted the UIL to see how they treat grade changes.  UIL officials agreed that the above information is correct, but added that if a teacher is asked to pad a few points here and there so that the student will pass, that is against the law.  In some cases, teachers have been asked to do this and to let the student do extra work during the next grading period in order to make up.