Homeschool by State
Homeschooling in Texas
What to know in Texas
Texas parents who want to educate their own child(ren) at home instead of enrolling them in public or accredited private school.
Home school must be treated/operated as a private school under Leeper
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
The Texas Supreme Court held in Leeper v. Arlington ISD that children taught at home in a bona fide manner are exempt from compulsory attendance 'to the same extent as students enrolled in private schools.' TEA confirms home schooling 'has been a legal alternative to public schooling since 1994' under this ruling. Source: Leeper v. Arlington ISD, 893 S.W.2d 432 (Tex. 1994/1995), as described by TEA https://tea.texas.gov/families-and-students/finding-school-your-child/home-schooling
Exemption from compulsory attendance applies via Sec. 25.086(a)(1)
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
A child is exempt from compulsory school attendance if the child 'attends a private or parochial school that includes in its course a study of good citizenship' — the provision under which home schools qualify per Leeper. Source: Tex. Educ. Code Sec. 25.086(a)(1) https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.25.htm
Follow a course of study that includes good citizenship
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
TEA states: 'Parents who choose to home school are required to follow a course of study that includes good citizenship.' Source: TEA Home Schooling guidance page; Leeper v. Arlington ISD https://tea.texas.gov/families-and-students/finding-school-your-child/home-schooling
Curriculum must cover reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship
This is part of your state's rules.
Read the explanation
TEA's July 11, 2019 Administrator Addressed letter states that a letter of assurance '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.' Source: TEA Administrator Addressed Letter, 'Home Schools,' July 11, 2019 https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/home-schools
Curriculum must be in 'visual form' (e.g., books, workbooks, video)
We haven't confirmed this yet.
When this applies: Confirm exact wording against the primary Leeper trial court order before relying on it for compliance purposes.
Read the explanation
Multiple secondary legal-guide sources (e.g., Texas Home School Coalition) describe the Leeper trial court's injunction/order as requiring curriculum to be 'in visual form.' This reporter could not directly verify the exact 'visual form' wording against the primary Leeper opinion text or TEA's own page; it should be confirmed against the full trial court judgment/injunction before being treated as settled, though it is widely and consistently repeated by homeschool legal organizations. Source: Secondary source citing Leeper v. Arlington ISD trial court order (unverified against primary opinion text) https://thsc.org/requirements-to-homeschool-in-texas/
Withdraw the child from public school if currently enrolled
This applies only in certain situations.
When this applies: Applies only if the child is already enrolled in a public school.
Read the explanation
TEA's July 2019 guidance states students 'should be dis-enrolled by school officials when they receive written notice either by signing withdrawal forms or a letter of withdrawal. It is not necessary for the parents to make a personal appearance with school officials, present curriculum for review, or comply with any other requirements in order to successfully withdraw their student.' A signed and dated letter stating the student is being homeschooled and the start date is sufficient for Leaver Reason Code 60. Source: TEA Administrator Addressed Letter, 'Home Schools,' July 11, 2019 https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/home-schools
Provide a 'letter of assurance' if the district requests one
This applies only in certain situations.
When this applies: Applies only if the school district affirmatively requests a letter of assurance.
Read the explanation
TEA states a district that becomes aware of a potentially home-schooled student may request in writing a letter of assurance; this letter may require assurances the curriculum meets the basic education goals (reading, spelling, grammar, math, good citizenship). TEA notes 'a letter of this type is not required each year.' Source: TEA Home Schooling guidance page; TAA Letter, July 11, 2019 https://tea.texas.gov/families-and-students/finding-school-your-child/home-schooling
Keep withdrawal and assurance correspondence for your records
This is a suggestion, not a legal requirement.
Read the explanation
Because no state registration exists, the withdrawal letter and any letter of assurance are the main documentation of home-school status; TEA guidance implies districts may rely on these for enrollment/attendance recordkeeping (e.g., Leaver Reason Code 60). Source: TEA Administrator Addressed Letter, 'Home Schools,' July 11, 2019 https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/home-schools