Homeschooling is an increasingly popular form of education that allows parents to provide their children with an education centered on their individual needs, beliefs, and goals. Parents can customize their children’s curriculum, allowing for greater flexibility to incorporate extracurricular activities, travel, and taking small-group classes in specialized topics like robotics, music, art history, or chess.
In the United States, homeschooling is regulated by each state, and each has its own set of laws and regulations that families must follow. Students must meet the same requirements as those in traditional schools, including earning an endorsement to graduate. Guidelines and regulations for graduating with an endorsement vary depending on the state.
In Texas, homeschool students must follow the endorsement requirements set forth by the state regulations, which include earning electives credits, completing at least two core courses, and passing its rigorous assessments. In this article we’ll go over the requirements for homeschool students in Texas to meet the endorsement requirements.
What is an Endorsement?
An endorsement is a way for students to demonstrate their mastery of certain academic subjects and to prepare for college and/or career options. It is a type of diploma that is issued in addition to a standard high school diploma which signifies the student has completed a certain set of courses, taken certain tests and achieved certain academic achievements.
The endorsement requirement is decided by the state, and it describes the subjects the student must have demonstrated mastery in order to be eligible to receive the endorsement upon graduation.
What Are the Endorsement Requirements in Texas?
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has specific endorsement requirements for homeschooled students in Texas that must be met in order to graduate with an endorsement. These include:
Earning four credits in electives in the areas of Speech/Debate, Physical Education/Activity, Arts/Humanities, and Career & Technical Education (CTE). Completing two of the four core courses: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and Biology.
Passing the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) tests for English language arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
Achieving a score of at least 40 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
How Do Students Earn Credits for Electives in Texas?
Homeschool students in Texas can earn credits in electives through a variety of options, including taking dual credit classes, completing structured courses in libraries or career-technical schools, and participating in performing and visual arts. The TEA also allows homeschool students to take college courses, participate in internships and apprenticeships, volunteer in the community, and work to earn credits. For the Speech/Debate credits, homeschool students can join a local homeschool debate club, compete in public speaking competitions, or complete an online public speaking curriculum.
Physical Education/Activity credits can be earned through an organized homeschool PE group, volunteer group activities, or participating in a homeschool sports program. Homeschool students can earn Arts/Humanities credits through completing structured courses in libraries, online classes, and community theater, art shows, and music recitals.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) credits can be earned by completing courses at the local vocational and technical schools and industry certification courses.
How Do Students Complete the Two Required Core Courses in Texas?
Homeschool students in Texas can complete the two required core courses in a variety of ways, including taking online courses with an accredited institution, completing courses at the local junior and community colleges, participating in structured courses at libraries and career-technical schools, or taking a planned sequence of homeschool courses. If the student decides to take a planned sequence of homeschool courses, the courses should be evaluated and approved by the TEA to guarantee that the course meets all of the criteria for the core course.
How Can Homeschool Students Prepare for and Pass the TAKS Tests?
The TAKS tests are the standardized tests used in Texas to measure a student’s academic performance in the core required courses of English language arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The TEA offers free practice tests that can help students prepare for the TAKS tests. Homeschool students can also purchase test prep materials from online sources, such as Study.
com, or participate in test prep classes offered by local libraries and private tutors.
How Can Homeschool Students Get the Required Score on the ASVAB?
In order to receive the endorsement, homeschool students must achieve a score of at least 40 on the ASVAB. This test is an aptitude test used by the U.
S. Armed Forces to measure a student’s overall educational levels in a range of topics, including math, science, problem-solving, reading comprehension, and more. The ASVAB test can be taken at the local Military Entrance Processing Stations.
What Other Requirements Are There?
In addition to the endorsement requirements, homeschool students in Texas must also fulfill the requirements for the high school diploma. These include:
Earning the required number of credits in the core courses of English language arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education. Passing all the standardized tests in the core courses, including the TAKS tests for English language arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
Participating in extracurricular activities as well as at least four semesters of community or volunteer service.
Are Homeschool Students Eligible to Participate in Extracurricular Activities?
Homeschool students in Texas are eligible to participate in extracurricular activities at their local public schools. Home schools must be recognized by the Texas Education Agency in order for homeschool students to participate.
Home school students must also meet the eligibility requirements set by the local school district, including meeting academic and behavior expectations.
Are Homeschool Students Eligible for Financial Aid and Scholarships?
Homeschool students in Texas are eligible for both financial aid and scholarships through the state of Texas. For financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
For scholarships, students must apply to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for their scholarship programs, such as the Texas Grant Program, Higher Education Grant Program, Texas Public Education Grant, and more.
Are There Other Programs That Help Homeschool Students?
Yes, there are many other programs that can help homeschool students, such as the Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan, the Texas Voucher System, and the College Credit Course System. The Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan offers college savings accounts to families, who can save up to 25 percent of the cost of higher education. The Texas Voucher System gives homeschool students partial or full tuition aid for college.
The College Credit Course System allows homeschool students to earn college credit while in high school.
Does the State Allow Homeschool Students toTake the SAT or ACT?
Homeschool students in Texas are allowed to take the SAT and ACT college entrance exams. The state of Texas also has its own program, the Texas Success Initiative (TSI), which is a college readiness program to measure the student’s preparedness level for college-level work. The TSI assessment is a series of tests that measure the student’s knowledge in Math, Reading, and Writing.
Are Homeschooled Students Eligible for Dual Credit Courses?
Yes, homeschool students are eligible to take dual credit courses. Dual credit courses are college-level courses offered through a partnership between the local school district and the college or university. Homeschool students must meet the eligibility requirements of the college or university, including meeting the academic and behavior expectations.
Conclusion
Homeschool students in Texas must meet the same state requirements for graduation with an endorsement as students in traditional schools. To meet the endorsement requirements, homeschool students must earn credits in electives, complete two of the four core courses, and pass the TAKS tests, as well as achieve a score of at least 40 on the ASVAB.
They can also take part in extracurricular activities, participate in dual credit courses, be eligible for financial aid and scholarships, and take the SAT or ACT. By meeting these requirements, homeschoolers in Texas can graduate with an endorsement and pursue the path of their choice.