When it comes to education, all states have different requirements for homeschooling. Texas is no exception. If you want to learn more about homeschooling rules in Texas and want to know the age requirement for children to begin homeschooling, this article is for you.
In this article, we will go into far more detail than just age requirements. We will also talk about requirements to begin homeschooling in Texas, curriculum requirements, school year requirements, and an overview of homeschooling in the state.
So keep reading to learn more!
What Is the Age Requirement to Begin Homeschool in Texas?
Though many states have specific age requirements that children must reach before they are able to begin homeschooling, Texas does not have a set age requirement. Therefore, the decision to homeschool rests with the parents and guardians of the child. The only requirement is that the child must have achieved compulsory school age in the state.
Compulsory school age in Texas is 6 years old. However, there is no maximum age for beginning homeschooling as long as the parent is committed to providing the instruction necessary for the child’s educational success.
What Are the Requirements for Starting Homeschool in Texas?
In order to begin homeschooling in Texas, there are several requirements that must be met. First, the parent or designated instructional leader of the child must have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent GED. Additionally, the parent or instructional leader must have an approved educational plan that outlines the curriculum and teacher qualifications for the homeschooled student.
The parent or instructional leader must also submit a notification of intent to homeschool to their local school district of residence. This notification will include the student’s full legal name, date of birth, address, name of the school district, parent’s name, and a brief description of the educational plan.
All of this must be done before the student begins their homeschooling.
What Are the Curriculum Requirements for Homeschool in Texas?
Though Texas does not have any specific curriculum guidelines for homeschooling, there are certain requirements that must be met by the curriculum in the educational plan. The plan must include instruction in the five required core subjects: reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.
Additionally, the plan must teach the basics of history, literature, and other courses considered essential tools to understand their world. Though no texts need to be specified in the educational plan, the parent or instructional leader must designate which materials will be used to educate the student.
What Are the School Year Requirements for Homeschool in Texas?
Texas has specific requirements for the number of hours that must be spent on instruction and the number of weeks, days, and hours that make up a school year. For homeschooling in Texas, the school year will span from September – June and will comprise about 172 days of instruction. Additionally, the instructional hours per week must be a minimum of 4 hours.
These hours can be stretch throughout the week and do not necessarily have to be consecutive hours of instruction.
What Is the Overview of Homeschooling in Texas?
Homeschooling in Texas is a popular option for families who want to provide a more personalized educational environment for their children. The state of Texas has very few restrictions when it comes to homeschooling and leaves it up to the families to decide their child’s curriculum and instruction. Though the responsibility rests with the parents to provide a quality education, there are resources available to help make homeschooling successful.
Thanks to technology, there are many online tools and platforms to assist families in providing an effective educational plan as they homeschool in Texas.
Conclusion
Texas has few regulations when it comes to homeschooling, allowing parents and guardians to make decisions about their child’s educational journey. There is no set age requirement for beginning homeschooling in Texas, though the child must have achieved the state’s compulsory school age of
Furthermore, there are specific rules for the number of instructional hours and the school year length that must be adhered to. Additionally, there are curriculum requirements that must be considered in order to ensure the student is receiving an appropriate education. Thankfully, there are many resources available to help make homeschooling successful in the state of Texas.