When a family in Texas decides to homeschool, they, like families in all other states, must be mindful of state laws and regulations that support the homeschooling process. In this article, we explore the necessary steps to homeschool a child in Texas, so parents and guardians can confidently proceed with their decision.
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- Overview of Texas Homeschooling
- Homeschool Requirements in Texas
- Forms for Homeschooling in Texas
- Homeschooling Curriculum in Texas
- Homeschool Records and Reports
- Public School Enrollment and Participation in Texas
- Receiving a High School Diploma in Texas
- Calculating Credits for Homeschooling in Texas
- Homeschooling Testing in Texas
- Homeschool Teacher Requirements in Texas
- Homeschool Testing Alternatives in Texas
- Special Education Laws in Texas
- Transferring to a Public or Private School in Texas
- Choose the Homeschooling Approach in Texas
- Conclusion
Overview of Texas Homeschooling
Texas homeschooling statutes are found in the Texas Education Code, § 2086, and define it as the process of using instruction outside the school system by a parent or legal guardian, while meeting the requirements of the statute. A parent or guardian can teach the child directly, or they can hire tutors or supplemental instructors.
Under the Texas Education Code, homeschooling in Texas provides two options:
- Parent-directed option (secular, religious, or moral instruction)
- Independent school option (governed by a private school organization)
Homeschool Requirements in Texas
Texas parents and guardians must understand and obey the regulations for homeschooling in Texas as outlined in the state statute. The legal requirements for Texas homeschoolers depend on the type of schooling approved by the state.
- If you choose the parent-directed option: you are responsible for registering your child with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and providing instruction and educational materials that comply with the state’s Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the curriculum based upon these standards.
- If you choose the independent school option: you must register with an independent school approved by the TEA and you must submit annual reports to the TEA that include information about students enrolled, attendance, and academic progress.
Forms for Homeschooling in Texas
Home educators in Texas must complete and submit the Notice of Intent to Use a Home School for Each School Year form (NOI) to the TEA no later than 15 days after the beginning of the school year. Texas parents and guardians must complete the NOI form for each student they intend to homeschool and must maintain signed, dated copies of the form in their records.
Homeschooling Curriculum in Texas
Home educators in Texas must select and provide courses of study that cover the areas of reading, grammar, math, and good moral instruction and/or religious education. Parents or guardians must also provide instruction in the language arts (which includes spelling and writing) and social studies, as well as science and physical education. The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are the state’s standards for what students need to know and be able to do to be college and career ready.
Texas parents and guardians are encouraged to use Texas’ standards when developing the homeschool curriculum for their children.
Homeschool Records and Reports
Homeschoolers in Texas must maintain a record of attendance, a work sample portfolio containing samples of the student’s work and a record of any state-mandated testing results. Texas parents and guardians must also submit an annual progress report or a standardized test score to the TEA each year.
Public School Enrollment and Participation in Texas
Texas homeschooled students are eligible to enroll in their local public school to take elective courses, participate in extracurricular activities such as band and other clubs, and receive special education services. But the student must be enrolled at least part-time in the public school and may only participate in those activities that are approved by the TEA.
Receiving a High School Diploma in Texas
In Texas, homeschoolers can receive a high school diploma if they meet the following requirements: they attend an approved secondary institution, they earn the required number of credits, and they receive verification from the institution that they have been granted a diploma. To meet the credit requirement, Texas high school students must earn at least 22 credits for graduation. The credits must include four credits each in English, mathematics, science, and social studies; three credits in physical education; and one credit in fine arts.
It is possible to earn additional credits in elective courses.
Calculating Credits for Homeschooling in Texas
Texas parents and guardians must understand how to calculate credits when homeschooling in Texas. To calculate credits, parents must determine how many hours a student spends in a subject and then multiply the number of hours by the number of weeks in a school year.
For example, if a student spends 10 weeks (4 months) in Algebra II, then 10 hours for 10 weeks would equal one credit.
Homeschool Testing in Texas
Homeschoolers in Texas must take either a state-approved standardized test or an alternative test at the end of each school year. Home educators in Texas must submit either the score from the standardized test or the documentation of the passed alternative test to the TEA by August 15 of each school year.
Homeschool Teacher Requirements in Texas
Texas parents and guardians do not need to be certified teachers in order to homeschool their children. However, they must ensure that the instruction they provide meets state and local education standards, and that their instruction includes materials and activities that are appropriate to the student’s age, experience, and abilities.
Homeschool Testing Alternatives in Texas
If a home educator in Texas does not want to submit the test scores of their child, they may use an alternative test such as an assessment provided by a local agency, or an assessment developed and administered by the parent, guardian, or instructor.
Special Education Laws in Texas
Texas homeschoolers may receive special education services from the school district in which they reside. Parents or guardians must first provide the school district with a written notice of intent to homeschool and complete the necessary forms.
Transferring to a Public or Private School in Texas
If a Texas parent or guardian decides to transfer their child from homeschool to a public or private school, then the child must complete a registration form and provide any necessary testing scores or transcripts.
Choose the Homeschooling Approach in Texas
When homeschooling in Texas, parents and guardians must decide which type of homeschool option they prefer. The parent-directed option allows parents to be responsible for teaching their children. The independent school option is governed by an approved private school organization.
Conclusion
Homeschooling in Texas can be a rewarding experience for both parents and children. To get started, Texas parents and guardians must understand the homeschooling process and the state laws and regulations that guide it. This includes registration forms, curriculum requirements, testing and assessment requirements, annual reports to the TEA, and credit and graduation requirements.
With the right amount of planning and diligence, parents and guardians in Texas can successfully homeschool their children and provide them with a quality education.