A major reason why a lot of families are moving to Texas is because here, us parents have more freedom to decide what is best for our children. This includes one of the most important aspects of a child’s life: Education.
People are quickly realizing that Texas is a great state for homeschoolers and self-directed learners, and we have a growing community of families seeking something beyond the public school system.
Austin has endless options for alternative education. We have various private schools, child-led programs, forest schools, Montessori, Waldorf, etc. We even have a few well-organized homeschooling co-ops, where homeschooling/unschooling families can connect with each other.
If you’re considering a move here, you’re new in town, or you just aren’t familiar with Texas homeschooling laws, this post will give you the key facts.
On June 15, 1994, after a nine-year court battle, the Texas Supreme Court in TEA v. Leeper issued a 9-0 decision guaranteeing the right of Texas parents to teach their children without fear of prosecution.
Here in Texas we’re free to choose whatever style of education we want for our children — without the need for approval or reporting.
Home schools are legally considered private schools.
Private schools are not regulated by the state.
This means that you won’t be required to get curriculum approval, to show homeschooling records, to follow a specific calendar, or to participate in standardized testing.
There are no reporting agencies or testing requirements for Texas homeschoolers.
If your children have never been in public school, you don’t even need to notify anyone that you’re homeschooling. You just keep your children home and their education is fully on your terms!
There are 3 requirements to homeschool in Texas:
1
The instruction must be bona fide (i.e., not a sham).
2
The curriculum must be in visual form (e.g., books, workbooks, video monitor).
3
The curriculum must include the five basic subjects of reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics and good citizenship.
Meeting the curriculum requirement is easy. You don’t even have to think about it.
Here are some everyday examples:
Reading: A menu at a restaurant
Spelling/Grammar: Writing a letter to Grandma
Math: Measuring ingredients while baking cookies
Citizenship: Learning about laws, helping people in need, etc
What education style do you feel most drawn to? Did you move here from a state with strict homeschooling laws? Tell us about it in the comments!