Home schooling is an increasingly popular choice for Texas families looking to give their children an education tailored to their needs. If you have decided to withdraw your child from public school and begin homeschooling, there are certain steps you need to take in Texas. This article covers the process of withdrawing from public school in the state of Texas, to homeschool your child.
What is the Process for Withdrawing from Public School to Homeschool in Texas?
The process for withdrawing from public school to homeschool in Texas has been laid out in Texas Education Code (TEC), Sections 2916 and 208
Under these sections, each school district in the state must maintain an enrollment form for parents and guardians to fill out and submit to the district to indicate that the student will be homeschooled for the current school year. Below, we will outline the steps for withdrawing from public school and beginning the homeschooling journey for families in Texas.
How to Initiate the Withdrawal Process
The first step in the process for withdrawing from public school and beginning homeschooling in Texas is to contact the school district in which your child attends and notify them of your decision to withdraw your child and begin homeschooling. You should fill out the enrollment form provided by the school district and turn it in. This form serves to officially notify the school district that you are beginning a homeschool program for the current school year.
Once you have submitted the form, the school district is required to provide you with a letter of withdrawal. You will likely receive an email from the school district, with the administration’s signature, that confirms that the student is now enrolled in a homeschool program.
This letter should also provide you with a list of the student’s current credits and an official transcript of the student’s grades and attendance record. The letter should contain a code that you can use to request official transcripts from the school.
What Else Do I Need To Do To Complete the Process?
After you have received the letter of withdrawal, you will need to notify the Texas Education Agency (TEA) of your decision to withdraw your child and start homeschooling. You can notify TEA of your decision in writing, or you can use the online TEA Portal to submit your request.
Once TEA has received your request and approved it, they will issue you a “Letter of Intent to Homeschool” form. You will also need to contact your local truancy division and provide them with a copy of the “Letter of Intent to Homeschool” form. The division will likely require you to file a “Record of Attendance” that is updated each month to ensure that your child is meeting all homeschool requirements.
What is Required When Homeschooling in Texas?
When homeschooling in Texas, you are required to keep a record of the student’s attendance, performance and progress. You will need to provide the local truancy division with these records once a year.
The purpose of these records is to prove to the state that your homeschool program is meeting the educational standards set by Texas. You are also required to provide instruction in the five core academic subjects of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. You are also required to create an end-of-year portfolio that demonstrates the student’s performance and progress during the school year.
This portfolio should include examples of completed work, tests, and a list of books and materials used. The Texas Education Agency also recommends that you keep a record of any activities or field trips the student participates in throughout the year, as well as the hours the student devotes to the homeschool program.
What Additional Resources Can I Use When Homeschooling in Texas?
There are many online and local resources that Texas families can use when they decide to withdraw from public school and begin homeschooling. These resources can help provide guidance on curriculum, resources, and support.
The Texas Home School Coalition (THSC) is a leading organization that provides guidance to Texas homeschoolers. The THSC website offers a wealth of educational materials, support and resources for Texas homeschoolers. They also offer two different groups for families who are just beginning their homeschooling journey to connect and discuss curriculum, challenges, and successes.
The Texas Education Agency provides a variety of resources for homeschoolers, including testing, curriculum guides, and a wealth of other resources. The TEA website also offers information on homeschool laws and regulations in Texas, as well as a list of approved testing vendors.
Conclusion
In summary, withdrawing from public school and beginning homeschooling in Texas is a fairly straightforward process. The key steps are to submit the required form to your local school district, notify the Texas Education Agency of your decision, and begin to build a portfolio of your student’s performance and progress.
There are also many online and local resources, such as those provided by the Texas Home School Coalition and the Texas Education Agency, available to help guide families through the whole process. Homeschooling in Texas can be a rewarding experience for families looking to give their children a more personalized education.