Homeschooling is one of the most popular educational paths for millions of students in the United States. In Texas alone, the most recent Annual Report by the Texas Education Agency shows that the number of homeschoolers in the state has grown by over 11 percent in just the last two years. This steady growth means that more and more parents are turning to homeschooling as a quality educational option for their children.
If you are a parent looking to start homeschooling your child in kindergarten in Texas, one of the first steps to success is understanding the paperwork requirements of the state. In this article, we will answer fifteen pressing questions about the paperwork needed for kindergarten homeschool in Texas.
1. Is Paperwork Required for Kindergarten Homeschooling in Texas?
Yes, the State of Texas requires that parents who wish to home school their children submit a Letter of Intent to the Texas Education Agency for each student who are of school age, regardless of the age of the student. The Letter of Intent is the written statement from the parent expressing the intent to home school their child in accordance with the laws of Texas.
2. What Information Should be Included in the Letter of Intent for Kindergarteners?
The Letter of Intent should include the name of the student, the student’s date of birth, the names of the parent(s) or guardian(s), the home address of the student and the parent(s), and the fact that the parent(s) intend to provide instruction in the areas of reading, English, spelling, writing, geography, history, mathematics, science, science, and good citizenship education in accordance with the laws of Texas.
3. How Do I File the Letter of Intent?
The Letter of Intent must be filed with the Texas Education Agency. It can be mailed, faxed, or emailed to the appropriate address or address.
The current addresses for the specific region where you reside can be found on the agency’s website at the following link: http://tea. texas. gov/homeschool/
4. Are There Other Documentation Requirements for Kindergarten Homeschool?
Yes, the Texas Education Agency also requires annual documentation to be submitted to verify a parent is still providing students with a valid home school program. This documentation is provided in the form of an Affidavit, which is signed and dated by the parent(s) and includes a list of the courses or subjects that were taught and the time and hours spent on each.
5. What Does the Affidavit Need to Include?
The Affidavit must include the names of the parent(s) or guardian(s), the names of the student being homeschooled, the address of the parent(s) or guardian, the courses or subjects that were taught, and the time and hours spent on each. The Affidavit must also be notarized.
6. How Do I Submit the Affidavit?
The Affidavit must be filed with the Texas Education Agency and it can be submitted via mail, fax, or email. The appropriate current addresses to submit the Affidavit can be found on the agency’s website at the following link: http://tea. texas.
gov/homeschool/
7. Are There Any Exemptions from the Filing Requirements?
Yes, certain exemptions to the filing requirements exist if the student is enrolled in an independent study program or is enrolled in a private school that is recognized by the Texas Education Agency.
8. Are There Any Safety Requirements for Kindergarten Homeschoolers?
Yes, the state of Texas requires all home school parents to obtain immunization against certain diseases for all school-age children in the household. Immunizations can be obtained from any private physician or at the local health department.
9. Are There Any Testing Requirements for Kindergarten Homeschoolers in Texas?
Yes, all homeschoolers in Texas are required to complete annual standardized testing of student progress. Texas allows parents to choose a testing option that best suits their educational needs and goals. There are several test options that include the Stanford 10, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, STAR Reading Tests, and CogAT tests.
The tests need to be administered and the scores submitted to the Texas Education Agency within the designated timeframes.
10. What Other Records Should Be Maintained for Kindergarten Homeschool Students?
In order to maintain a record of student progress, it is advisable for parents to create a portfolio of the child’s work. The portfolio should include samples of the student’s work in all subjects and can include artwork, assignments, essays, papers, quizzes, test results, and any other items used to measure the student’s progress.
11. Are There Any Criminal Record Requirements for Kindergarten Homeschoolers?
Yes, all parents in Texas who wish to home school their child must submit a ‘Parents Qualifying to Teach Criminally-Free Statement’ to the State of Texas to verify that they have no criminal records which would disqualify them from teaching. The form is available for download on the agency website in the home school section.
12. Is Additional Record Keeping Necessary?
Yes, the Texas Education Agency requires that an attendance log and log book be maintained for each student homeschooled in the state. The log should include the hours of instruction for each school day, the subject or course of study, and the work completed each day.
13. Am I Required to Notify the Local School District?
Yes, Texas law requires that parents who homeschool must notify the local school district of their intent to home school. This notification needs to be made in writing and can be done via standard mail or email.
14. What Happens if I Don’t Comply with the Homeschool Paperwork Requirements in Texas?
Failure to comply with the homeschool paperwork requirements in Texas can lead to criminal and/or civil penalties. Criminal penalties include a fine up to $1,000, up to a one year jail sentence, and/or a revocation of the parent’s driver’s license.
Civil penalties may include the revocation of the parent’s teaching certificate and/or probation.
15. How Can I Get Help with Filing the Required Paperwork for Kindergarten Homeschool in Texas?
The Texas Education Agency provides parents with a variety of resources for help with filing the required paperwork for Kindergarten homeschool in Texas. This website includes information about filing deadlines, letters of intent, affidavits, parental qualifications, standardized tests, attendance logs, and other necessary forms.
Additionally, the agency provides a list of support organizations and resources that offer assistance with the homeschool paperwork process.
Conclusion
Filing the necessary paperwork is an integral component of homeschooling in Texas. We hope this article has helped to answer your questions about what paperwork is needed for kindergarten homeschool in Texas. For more information, we recommend visiting the Texas Education Agency website at http://tea.
texas. gov/homeschool/.