Homeschooling is increasingly becoming a popular choice for parents who want to give their children the best education. With the increasing numbers of students enrolling in home school programs across the United States, the decision of parents to choose the home school environment must be taken seriously.
States generally have strict requirements when it comes to homeschooling, and Texas is one of them. To answer the question of how many school days are required in Texas homeschooling, we have to take a closer look at the rules, regulations, and requirements.
What is the Minimum School Day Requirement in Texas?
In Texas, homeschooling is regulated by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), which is responsible for regulating and monitoring the home education system. According to the TEA, there is no specific minimum number of school days for homeschooling in Texas but there are certain rules and regulations that must be followed by parents. The first and most important rule is that a home school program must be considered “in compliance with the provisions of the minimum school program”.
The minimum program includes the requirements for “actual instruction”, which means that there must be a minimum of 990 hours of instruction in English, math, science, social studies, and physical education every year. This total includes at least 5 hours a week of instruction in each subject, during the 180-day school year.
Apart from the 990 hours requirement, the Texas Education Agency also states that homeschool programs must also include the appropriate number of instructional days and hours per grade level. The number of days and hours per grade level depends on the student’s grade. For elementary and secondary students, the required number of days and hours per grade level is 90 days and 700 hours respectively.
What Are The Other Requirements for Home Schooling in Texas?
While Texas homeschoolers do not need to meet the minimum school day requirement, they do have to meet other requirements. These are mainly related to curriculum, record-keeping, and assessment.
Regarding curriculum, the TEA requires a homeschool curriculum to be “in compliance with the provisions of the minimum curriculum program”. This means that it must include English, math, science, social studies, and physical education topics, as well as extracurricular activities and character development. In terms of record-keeping, Texas homeschoolers must maintain records of their children’s daily activities, including attendance, the hours spent in class, and the grade level at which the child is currently performing.
Finally, parents who homeschool their children are also required to assess their child’s educational progress periodically. This can be done through tests or evaluations administered by qualified professionals, or through standardized assessment programs approved by the TEA.
Are There Any Exemptions from the Requirement?
Yes, there are two exemptions from the requirement of 990 hours and 90 days of instruction. These are the following: Firstly, students with special needs who are receiving services from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or another agencies under the Individualized Education Program (IEP) are exempt from this requirement.
Secondly, homeschoolers who need to adjust their teaching schedule due to adverse weather conditions are allowed to do so without incurring any penalties.
Are There Other Regulations to Consider?
Yes, there are additional regulations to consider when homeschooling in Texas. These include the following: Firstly, parents who choose to homeschool their children must register the child’s home school program with the TEA.
They must also designate an “umbrella school,” which is an accredited institution that provides certain other services related to the home school program. Secondly, Texas homeschoolers must provide proof of immunization for their children. This can be done through a letter from a doctor or an official record from the previous school attended.
Finally, all homeschooled children in Texas must receive an annual assessment to determine whether or not they are making satisfactory academic progress. This assessment must be administered by a qualified professional and the results must be reported to the TEA.
Conclusion
Homeschooling in Texas requires parents to meet certain requirements and regulations. While there are no specific regulations regarding the minimum number of school days required, parents must still comply with the rules and regulations of the Texas Education Agency. This includes a minimum of 990 hours of instruction and at least 90 days of instruction per grade level.
In addition, parents must register their home school program, provide proof of immunization, and submit an annual assessment report. By following these steps, homeschoolers can ensure that their children receive the best education possible.