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Texas Homeschool Laws

Homeschooling in Texas

How do I start homeschooling?

In order to legally homeschool your child in Texas you must:

  1. Officially withdraw your student from their current school if they are already enrolled.
  2. Provide legitimate instruction to the child.
  3. Choose your ideal curriculum/homeschool method.
  4. Curriculum must cover at least the following subjects: reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship.

Modify™ can help you with your tracking, portfolio and record keeping. Download the app today.  

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Homeschool Laws

Laws regarding homeschooling in Texas are found in the Texas Education Law. According to the Texas Education Agency, the state agency that oversees public education, homeschooling in Texas has been a legal alternative to public schooling since 1994 when the Texas Supreme Court upheld the decision of a lower court in Leeper et al. v. Arlington ISD et al.  This ruling allowed the same exemption to the compulsory attendance requirement that private school students enjoyed (Texas Education Code (TEC), §25.086(a)(1)). 

What do I need to be eligible to be a homeschool parent?

There are no minimum qualifications for you to homeschool your child in Texas.

Do I need to notify the school district of my intent to homeschool my child?

For students who have never been enrolled in public school, no notification is necessary to begin homeschooling.  You can just choose a curriculum and start homeschooling! 

For students who are already enrolled in public school, switching from public school to homeschool status in Texas is simple.  Parents simply need to submit a letter of withdrawal or signed withdrawal form to their school district stating that they intend to homeschool their child(ren) and the start date of homeschooling instruction.  It is recommended that you begin homeschooling the next school day after sending this letter in order to avoid truancy charges.

According to state memo dated July 11, 2019, school districts may also require a letter of assurance stating that the homeschool curriculum “is designed to meet basic goals including reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship.”  However, you can mail this letter; you do not need to come to any school office or submit curriculum for review. 

Homeschool Requirements

What are the requirements for homeschooling in Texas?  Texas is a homeschool-friendly state in that there are basically no requirements.  In fact, Texas is one of the 36 states in the US that has no parent qualifications for homeschooling.  The state also does not regulate the number of days per year of instruction, nor does it require a minimum number of hours to homeschool each day.  School districts have no authority to approve or not approve curricula used for homeschooling, and homeschool students in Texas are not required to take any standardized tests, including the STAAR tests.

However, the Leeper case did establish some guidelines for Texas homeschool curriculum requirements:

  1. Instruction must be bona fide (i.e., not a sham).
  2. Curriculum must be in visual form (e.g., books, workbooks, video monitor).
  3. Curriculum must include reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship.

You should also begin homeschooling by age 6 and stay current with homeschooling laws and requirements.

Record Keeping

Texas doesn't require that you report your homeschool records or curriculum, however keeping a  homeschool portfolio can have many benefits for you and your student.

The Modify™ app makes record keeping simple and keeps all your records organized. 

Graduation requirements

Texas doesn't not have any graduation requirements and this is left entirely up to the parents. We recommend keeping accurate and detailed records for those wishing to go to college. The Modify™ app allows you to generate an official transcript with the click of a button. 

Modify™ helps homeschoolers to keep all necessary records and transcripts. 

REFERENCE GUIDE:

Texas Education Law
Texas Education Agency
Homeschooling in Texas
Withdrawal Form

 

 


Note: All information on this site is provided with no guarantee of accuracy. Modify™ is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.

 

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