Yes. Homeschooling is legal in Texas and is recognized as a lawful alternative to public school attendance. Texas has relatively limited state oversight of home-school programs. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) does not regulate, register, approve, monitor, or accredit homeschool programs. However, parents must provide instruction that meets the legal requirements established by Texas law and the Texas Supreme Court.
What Does Texas Law Say About Homeschooling?
Texas compulsory-attendance law generally requires children to attend school beginning at age six and continuing until the child reaches 19, unless an exemption applies. One important exemption covers children enrolled in a private or parochial school, and Texas courts have determined that a bona fide homeschool qualifies for this exemption.
The Texas Supreme Court’s decision in Leeper v. Arlington Independent School District established that children being educated at home under a qualifying curriculum are treated as attending a private school for compulsory-attendance purposes. TEA continues to recognize this ruling as the basis for the legality of homeschooling in Texas.
What Curriculum Is Required?
Texas does not require homeschool students to follow the same detailed curriculum used by public schools. Under the Leeper decision and TEA guidance, a homeschool must be conducted in a bona fide manner and use a written curriculum that includes reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a course in good citizenship.
Parents therefore have flexibility in choosing textbooks, online resources, teaching methods, schedules, and educational materials, provided the required educational subjects are addressed.
Do Parents Have to Register With the TEA?
No. Parents generally do not have to register their homeschool program with the Texas Education Agency. TEA expressly states that it does not regulate, index, monitor, approve, register, or accredit home-school programs.
If a child is currently enrolled in a public school, the parent should formally withdraw the student. TEA guidance states that a signed and dated letter notifying the school that the child is being homeschooled and identifying the date homeschooling began is sufficient documentation for withdrawal.
Can a School District Demand a Letter of Assurance?
A public school district that becomes aware that a student may be homeschooled can request a written letter of assurance from the parents. The letter may ask the parents to confirm that the homeschool curriculum addresses the basic educational goals recognized under Texas law. TEA states that this letter is not required every year.
Parents do not generally have to submit their curriculum for state approval before beginning homeschooling.
Are Homeschool Students Required to Take State Tests?
Texas does not generally require homeschool students to take the same statewide assessments administered to public-school students. Because TEA does not regulate or monitor homeschool programs, parents generally determine how to evaluate their child’s academic progress.
Testing can nevertheless be useful if a student later transfers to public school or needs documentation of academic progress.
Can a Homeschooled Student Return to Public School?
Yes. A homeschooled student can enroll in a public school. The receiving district may evaluate the student’s records, coursework, or academic mastery to determine appropriate grade placement or award of course credit. TEA states that students transferring from homeschool should be treated in the same manner as students transferring from unaccredited private schools.
Parents should therefore maintain useful records of subjects studied, coursework, assessments, and academic progress.
Does Texas Recognize a Homeschool Diploma?
Texas does not issue a state diploma to homeschooled students. However, TEA states that the state considers successful completion of a home-school education equivalent to graduation from a public high school for purposes of higher-education admission. Texas public institutions of higher education must generally treat homeschool graduates according to applicable admissions standards.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is legal in Texas, and parents have considerable freedom to educate their children at home. The state does not require homeschool families to register their programs with TEA or obtain state approval. The principal legal requirement is that homeschooling be conducted in a bona fide manner using a written curriculum covering reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship.
Families should formally withdraw children from public school when beginning homeschooling and keep educational records that may be useful if the student later transfers to another school or applies to college.
