Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular as an educational option for parents and children who are looking for alternatives to traditional school systems. If you are considering homeschooling your children in the state of Texas, understanding the legal requirements and other regulations is a must.
This article will provide an overview of what you need to know to ensure that you’re homeschooling in compliance with Texas law.
Overview of Homeschooling Laws in Texas
The laws governing homeschooling in Texas can be found in Article 7 of the Texas Education Code. To legally homeschool in the state of Texas, you must meet a set of requirements. This includes registering your homeschool with your local school district and keeping attendance and evaluation records.
In addition, the Texas homeschool law requires homeschoolers to teach a set of specific subjects, to meet certain educational qualifications, and to provide notification of the homeschool to the local school district.
Required Subjects and Educational Qualifications
According to the Texas Education Code, homeschoolers must provide instruction in the following subjects: reading, spelling, grammar, math, science, social studies, and good citizenship. The law does not specify the amount of time or hours of instruction that must be devoted to each subject. However, the Texas Education Code does require homeschoolers to have or have access to basic teaching qualifications.
This includes having a high school diploma or a GED, or proof of having completed a course in home instruction.
Registration of Your Homeschool
The Texas Education Code requires homeschoolers to register their school with the local school district. This can be done by filing a form called the “Notice of Intent to Operate a Home School” with the school district superintendent or the district’s designated authority. This document should include information such as the name, age, and grade of each homeschool student, the name and address of the school, as well as the names and qualifications of the instructors.
Once the form has been filed, homeschooling may begin.
Record Keeping Requirements
In order to comply with the Texas Education Code, homeschoolers must keep attendance and evaluation records for each student. The exact regulations may vary between school districts, so it is important to check with the local district for further information.
Generally speaking, it is recommended that homeschoolers keep attendance records that document the number of instructional days per year and the amount of instruction received by each student. These records should also include evidence of the student’s academic progress, such as standardized achievement tests and grade reports.
Notification Requirements
Under the Texas Education Code, homeschoolers must also provide notification of their school to the local school district. This can be done through the aforementioned “Notice of Intent to Operate a Home School” or through a letter or postcard sent to the school district superintendent or designated administrator. This notification is required for any student who was currently enrolled in a public or private school before beginning the homeschool.
Participation in Extracurricular Activities and Testing Requirements
The Texas Education Code allows homeschoolers to participate in extracurricular activities in their school district. However, it should be noted that homeschoolers are not typically allowed to participate in interscholastic activities, such as athletic competitions, due to legal and liability issues.
Furthermore, the Texas Education Code requires homeschoolers to participate in the state’s assessments. This includes completing a standardized assessment in the third, fifth, and eighth grades and submitting the results to the local school district.
Conclusion
Homeschooling your children in Texas is a big decision and requires a lot of planning. Families choosing to homeschool must understand and follow the laws governing homeschooling in Texas. These regulations include registering your homeschool with the local school district, teaching a set of specific subjects, meeting certain educational qualifications, keeping attendance and evaluation records, providing notification to the local school district, and participating in the state’s assessments.
By understanding the various requirements to legally homeschool in Texas, you can ensure that your homeschool meets the state’s expectations and provides your children with a quality educational experience.