How to Homeschool in Texas

This information is not legal advice and should not be used as such. You should verify all requirements with the government agency in your area before you begin homeschooling. You may find contact information in the links below.

In Texas, homeschooling is known as "home school".
Compulsory attendance is required for children ages 6 through 19.

From the United States Department of Education

Texas has no laws or regulations related to homeschooling. The state of Texas does not regulate, monitor, approve, register, or accredit programs available to parents who choose to homeschool their children. In addition, the state of Texas does not award a diploma to students who are homeschooled. However, in accordance with Texas Education Code §51.9241, the state of Texas considers the successful completion of a homeschool education to be equivalent to graduation from a public or private high school.

Under the Texas Supreme Court decision rendered in Leeper et al. vs. Arlington Independent School District et al. a homeschool curriculum must be designed to meet a minimum of basic education goals including reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship.

A home school will be considered a private school for the provision of services for children with disabilities if it provides elementary or secondary education that includes a curriculum designed to meet basic education goals, with a scope and sequential progress of courses and a review and documentation of student progress in place. Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part II, §89.1096

An institution of higher education is not permitted to require an applicant who presents evidence of successful completion of a nontraditional secondary education (which includes homeschooling) to obtain a general education development certificate, certificate of high school equivalency, or other credentials equivalent to a public high school degree; or to take an assessment not generally required of applicants. Texas Education Code §51.9241.

No state policy currently exists for public school access.

Contact Information

Texas Education Agency
1701 North Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701-1494
Phone: (512) 463-9734
Website: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/general-information/finding-a-school-for-your-child/home-schooling
Fax: (512) 463-9838
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://tea.texas.gov/

Source: United States Department of Education - Texas State Regulations

From the Texas Department of Education

Home schooling has been a legal alternative to public schooling since 1994. In the case of Leeper et al. v. Arlington ISD et al., the Texas Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision that children being taught at home are exempt from the compulsory attendance requirement to the same extent as students enrolled in private schools.

Intent to Home School Notification

School districts that become aware of a student who is potentially being home schooled may request in writing a letter of assurance from the parents that the student is being home schooled. This letter may require assurances that the home-school curriculum is designed to meet basic education goals including reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship. Please note that a letter of this type is not required each year.

Curriculum

Special Education Curriculum

Transferring to a Public School

Students transferring from home schools should be afforded the same treatment as students transferring from unaccredited private schools. TEA recommendations on appropriate placement assessments are included in the Texas Commissioner's Home School Policy Letter.

Diplomas

The State of Texas does not award a diploma to students that are home schooled. Home-schooled students can enter public school at any time but should be aware that most districts have policies and procedures in place to assess the mastery level of courses that students in home schools have taken. The results of the assessment may be used for grade placement or award of credit or both.

The State of Texas considers the successful completion of a home school education to be equivalent to graduation from a public high school, therefore an institution of higher education in Texas must treat a home school graduate to the same general standards, including specific standardized testing score requirements, as other applicants for undergraduate admission who have graduated from a public high school. For additional information and specific guidance please contact the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Texas Home Schooling Links

Source: Texas Department of Education

Updated 29 December 2021

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