If you’re a Texas parent considering homeschooling for your child, you probably have a lot of questions about the registration process. Fortunately, homeschooling in Texas is fairly easy. To help you understand the process, we’ve compiled a list of fifteen common questions asked by parents during the registration process.
What is a ‘home-based private school’?
Under Texas law, all homeschools are considered “home-based private schools. ” This means that a parent can choose to educate their children at home, under their own supervision, as an alternative to enrolling them in a public or private school. The parent is responsible for ensuring that the curriculum they are providing meets the state’s educational standards.
What is the age-grade requirement?
Texas requires that all home-based private schools provide an instruction program for students between the ages of six and eighteen that is of “bona fide” nature. This means that the curricula needs to meet the standard for a quality, recognizable education that is established in the public education system.
Do I need to be certified to homeschool in Texas?
No. Texas does not require homeschool parents to have a teaching certification. All that is required of the homeschool teacher is that they provide an instruction program and recordkeeping that meets the state’s education standards.
What paperwork is needed to register my homeschool in Texas?
The main thing that needs to be done to register your homeschool in Texas is to fill out the “Notice of Intent to Operate a Home-Based Private School” form. This form does not need to be submitted to the state, but it does need to be filed with your local school district. The Notice of Intent serves as a declaration to your local school district that you intend to homeschool and as a way for you to provide information about your homeschool curriculum and instruction plan.
When do I need to submit my Notice of Intent?
You must submit your Notice of Intent at least 21 calendar days before the kickoff of your homeschool program. If you are unable to meet the 21-day window, you must provide an explanation as to why you cannot do so and request an extension.
Where do I submit my Notice of Intent to Operate a Home-Based Private School?
The Notice of Intent should be filed with your local school district. The administrator of the school district is responsible for reviewing the form and confirming that it meets the requirements set out by the state.
How do I know if my homeschool program meets the state’s educational requirements?
The state requires that homeschool programs provide instruction on eight particular subject areas: English/language arts, reading/language arts, math, science, social studies, fine arts, physical education, and health. In addition, your curriculum must be approved by an “accredited higher education institution in Texas.
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What is an “accredited higher education institution in Texas”?
An accredited higher education institution in Texas is a college or university that has been approved by a state or federal agency as meeting their standards for excellence in college instruction. Accreditation can be attained from multiple entities such as the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
How often do I need to submit yearly reports to the state?
Every year, Texas homeschool parents need to submit yearly progress reports to their local school district. These reports are due every 12 months from the date that the Notice of Intent was submitted.
What is required in the yearly progress reports?
The yearly progress reports need to include your homeschool’s students’ attendance and educational information. This includes the number of days that the students were in school, the textbooks and other curriculum materials used, and any other related results.
Do I need to keep attendance records?
Yes. Texas requires homeschoolers to keep accurate attendance records. These records need to include the days and/or hours that were counted as “duration of instruction” over the course of the year.
Do I need to take tests or assessments?
At the end of each year, a homeschool parent must take their student(s) to an approved testing center for a standardized achievement test or a portfolio assessment. The results of this test/assessment must then be submitted to the local school district.
How do I find an approved testing center?
A list of approved testing centers can be found on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website. You will need to contact a testing center prior to taking a test to ensure that they offer the type of test administered in Texas.
What is the difference between taking a standardized achievement test and a portfolio assessment?
A standardized achievement test is a standardized exam that is administered by qualified personnel in a proctored setting. The results of this type of test are used to measure a student’s knowledge and skill in a particular subject area.
A portfolio assessment is an evaluation of a student’s work samples. This type of assessment is more comprehensive and measures a student’s degree of achievement over the course of a year.
What is the homeschool legal defense fund?
The homeschool legal defense fund is an organization that provides legal and educational support to homeschooling families. The organization provides legal advice, homeschool resources, and advocacy to homeschool parents who are facing any threats or challenges to their rights to homeschool their children.
Do I need to register for the TEX-PREP homeschool program?
TEX-PREP is a state-funded homeschool program that provides educational resources and support to parents who are homeschooling students between the ages of three and sixteen. If you would like access to these resources and support, you must register for the program.
Conclusion
Homeschooling in Texas is relatively simple and straightforward. The first step is to complete the Notice of Intent to Operate a Home-Based Private School form and submit it to your local school district. After that, parents must provide yearly progress reports and participate in an annual assessment for their student(s).
For parents who need additional resources and support, there is the state-funded TEX-PREP homeschool program. With a little bit of preparation and research, the registration process should be relatively easy.