Texas Homeschool Laws

The Texas Family Code protects homeschooling parents by specifying that CPS may not use homeschooling as a reason to remove a child from the home (Texas Family Code 262.116(a)(1)) or as a ground for terminating a parent`s rights (Texas Family Code 161.001(c)). However, if you are a foster parent, the homeschooling option may be set by your social worker. For students who have never been enrolled in a public school, no notification is required to begin homeschooling. You can simply choose a program and start homeschooling! Here`s some information about Texas Homeschool`s requirements to get you started: Contact us for more information about Power Homeschool`s online program and resources for homeschooling families. Do I have to notify the school district of my intention to homeschool my child? Home schooling laws in Texas can be found in the Texas Education Act. According to the Texas Education Agency, the state agency that oversees public education, homeschooling in Texas has been a legal alternative to public schools since 1994, when the Texas Supreme Court overturned a lower court decision in Leeper et al. v. Arlington ISD et al. This decision allowed the same exemption from compulsory attendance enjoyed by private students (Texas Education Code (TEC), §25.086(a)(1)). Unless your court orders otherwise, “school” means the elementary or secondary school where the child is enrolled or, if the child is not enrolled in an elementary or secondary school, the public school district where the child primarily resides.

See Texas Family Code 153.3101. This means you`ll likely have to follow the schedule of the school district your child would attend if they went to public school, even if they`re homeschooled. A school district`s calendar usually appears on its website. Home schools in Texas are considered private schools and therefore not regulated by the state. Therefore, there is no minimum number of days for homeschooling in Texas. Because the HSLDA Board wants to focus its resources on protecting the freedom of homeschooled children to monitor public schools, we cannot help homeschooled students access special education in public schools. However, HSLDA can support member families seeking related services that have been turned away due to homeschooling. We see this as a fundamental issue of equity because, according to the U.S. Department of Education, students in states where homeschooling is considered private schools are eligible for related services, but not in other states.

Learn more about your state`s regulations here. The standard possession order does not deal with homeschooling. If you want to create an order that addresses these issues, you should hire a lawyer to help you draft the order. If you receive your order through the Child Support Department of the Attorney General`s Office, you will not receive a personalized order. So if you want a personalized order that deals with homeschooling, you`ll have to go through district court instead. If you and the other parent have the right to make decisions about education together and you still can`t agree, you may end up in court with a judge who will make the final decision about whether your child can be homeschooled. In this case, the judge makes a decision in the best interests of the child. The judge will consider many details about the situation and the child before making a decision. If you are homeschooled because of a desire to protect your child from COVID-19 or other health reasons, a judge may consider this and other factors related to the best interests of the child. Download this FREE resource where experienced homeschoolers share their stories on how to get started with homeschooling, understand your child academically, plan your days and more. If the other parent has the exclusive right to decide on the child`s upbringing, that parent may choose to homeschool the child.

If you disagree with this decision, you will have to go back to court to change the order. Hire a lawyer if you need help changing orders and the other parent doesn`t agree. Homeschooling laws are subject to change, so check the Texas Department of Education website for updates. Are you ready to experience the benefits that 100,000+ homeschooling families enjoy? Click here to start your journey. The support of external groups and associations is very beneficial for homeschooling families. Most states in the United States have statewide homeschooling associations that advocate for homeschooling. Texas has two homeschooling associations: Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) and Texas Home Educators (THE). Both organizations offer similar benefits to members, such as legal assistance with homeschooling issues, registration for homeschooling conventions, transcripts and diplomas, and other helpful resources that enhance the homeschooling experience for families in Texas. Joining a homeschool association is not a requirement, but it can provide support and resources specific to your condition. Your homeschooling program should include the following subjects: Just like other aspects of homeschooling in Texas, graduation is largely unregulated by law. This gives parents and guardians an extra responsibility to ensure that their teen`s school commute home prepares them for life after high school. Depending on whether your child is attending university, joining the military, or entering the workforce after graduation, it`s important that you align their education with their post-secondary goals.

The next requirement is that there must be a written curriculum, which means that the student uses books, workbooks or even written material on a video or computer screen. In addition, homeschooled children must teach children mathematics, reading, civic-mindedness, spelling and grammar. Science is not necessary. In Texas, there are many opportunities for support groups and home collaborations. You can find groups based on location and religion. THSC offers a long list of homeschool groups that have worked with them. You can also find many homeschool groups on Facebook. What do I need to be a homeschooling parent? Homeschooling can look like it in different ways. Some parents take standardized tests, others don`t.

Some children stay at home just to go to school, while others participate in many activities outside the home with other homeschooled children. And some kids participate in online programs at home, while others can use books. On the other hand, homeschooling cooperatives focus on education by providing different learning environments and giving students the opportunity to learn alongside other homeschooled students. Ideally, you can find a homeschooling support group near you. Was your child enrolled in a public or private school before homeschooling? While it`s not part of the legal requirements for homeschooling in Texas, it`s still a good idea to officially remove your child from school so you don`t trigger truancy requests. To do this, you can send a payment email or letter to the school`s principal, counselor, and attendance officer to let them know that you are officially removing your child from school and when your homeschooling begins (or begins). There are no minimum qualifications for you to homeschool your child in Texas. Compared to many states, the requirements for homeschooling in Texas are fairly straightforward. It is considered one of the least stringent states in terms of requirements. So if you`re thinking about homeschooling and you`re nervous about being able to handle the legal side of things, you can definitely relax.

On this page, you`ll find information on how to legally homeschool in Texas, what records (if any) you may want to keep, and what might be associated with returning to school if you decide to end your homeschooling adventure at some point. In the United States, state and local governments regulate homeschooling. In Texas, homeschooling was legalized in 1994. We encourage parents to thoroughly research homeschooling laws in Texas before introducing homeschooling for their children. Of course, while these are the only requirements for your child`s homeschooling in Texas, that doesn`t mean you should use them to determine the scope of your homeschooling program. Instead, they should be considered the minimum you need to do to stay compliant with state laws. However, your approach to homeschooling should be to provide your child with the best and most personalized education possible that prepares them for higher education and/or their career. For students already enrolled in a public school, the transition from public school to homeschooling status in Texas is easy. Parents simply need to submit a resignation letter or signed resignation form to their school district stating that they intend to homeschool their children and the start date of homeschooling.