A homeschool teacher in Texas is a parent or other person who has been appointed by the parents of the homeschooled student to provide instruction and supervision in order to meet the Texas Education Code requirements. The Texas Education Agency certifies these teachers in order to ensure they are qualified and have appropriate academic backgrounds.
Becoming a certified homeschool teacher in Texas is a process that must be completed in order to legally homeschool in the state.
What is the Process to Become a Certified Texas Homeschool Teacher?
The process to become a certified Texas homeschool teacher is relatively straightforward, with the following five steps: Meet the qualifications for certification.
Submit an Application for Homeschool Badge Authorization to the Texas Education Agency.
Pass the Texas Academic Advising and Mentoring (TAAM) test.
Receive the Homeschool Badge Authorization from the TEA. Follow the rules and regulations set by the Texas Education Code.
Each of these steps is discussed in further detail below.
1. Meet the Qualifications for Certification
In order to receive certification to be a homeschool teacher in Texas, one must meet certain requirements set forth by the Texas Education Agency. These requirements differ slightly depending on whether the parent or the instructor is the person seeking certification.
For parents seeking certification, they must have either a baccalaureate degree or have been licensed as a teacher in Texas. For the instructor, they must have a high school diploma, a General Education Development (GED), or the equivalent of a GED. They must also either be a high school graduate under the age of 19 or meet the requirements for a substitute teacher in Texas.
2. Submit an Application for Home School Badge Authorization to TEA
Once a person is qualified to become a certified homeschool teacher in Texas, they must submit an Application for Homeschool Badge Authorization to the Texas Education Agency. This application includes information such as contact information, demographics, criminal history, parent/student contact information, and other related information. It is important that this application is filled out completely and accurately in order to ensure it is processed in a timely manner.
3. Pass the Texas Academic Advising and Mentoring (TAAM) Test
Once the application for homeschool badge authorization is received, the applicant will be sent a link to take the Texas Academic Advising and Mentoring (TAAM) test. The TAAM test covers topics such as teaching methods, classroom management, and student assessment. It must be passed with a score of at least 70%.
4. Receive the Homeschool Badge Authorization from TEA
Once the TAAM test is passed, the applicant will receive their homeschool badge authorization from the TEA. This will include the individual’s name, TEA ID number, and homeschool badge information.
This badge is required to be shown in order to legally homeschool a student in the state of Texas.
5. Follow the Rules and Regulations Set by the Texas Education Code
Once a person has received their homeschool badge authorization, they must then follow all rules and regulations set forth by the Texas Education Code. This includes such requirements as providing an instructional year of at least 180 days to students, maintaining records of attendance and other educational documents, and ensuring compliance with other federal and state requirements.
Conclusion
Becoming a certified homeschool teacher in Texas is an important step for any parent or instructor seeking to homeschool a student in the state. Following the above steps and adhering to all laws and regulations set forth by the Texas Education Code will ensure one is properly certified and can legally provide instruction for homeschooled students in Texas.