Resources

Homeschool Laws and Requirements in Texas

In the United States, the state and local governments regulate homeschool. In Texas, homeschool was legalized in 1994. We recommend that parents do extensive research on the homeschool laws in Texas, before implementing an at-home education for their children.

For information regarding homeschooling in Texas, both the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Homeschool Coalition provide a comprehensive list of requirements and guidelines that Texas homeschool families must follow.

1) TEACH REQUIRED SUBJECTS

Your homeschool curriculum is required to include the following subjects:

• • Math
  • Reading
  • Spelling
  • Grammar
  • Good citizenship

2) USE A VISUAL CURRICULUM

The Texas Supreme Court in TEA v. Leeper issued a 9-0 decision calling for “a curriculum consisting of books, workbooks, other written materials, including that which appears on an electronic screen of either a computer or video tape monitor, or any combination of the preceding from either.”  According to HSLDA, “online programs meet this requirement.”

3) OPERATE YOUR HOMESCHOOL IN A “BONA FIDE” MANNER

What is operating in a bona fide manner?  According to the Texas Homeschool Coalition, bona fide includes using “a written curriculum that is a real, authentic curriculum with a structure. Also, yes, online curriculum programs meet the written curriculum requirement.”

RECORD KEEPING

Texas law states that parents do not have to submit academic reports; however, school district superintendents can request records at any time. Therefore, parents should keep thorough records of everything about their homeschoolers’ education.

Power Homeschool makes record keeping easy with its online parent portal. You can track progress, download report cards, and print coursework examples through the easy-to-use app. High school transcripts for students at the ninth through twelfth-grade levels are also important to keep on file. We recommend keeping standardized test results on file, as well. Keeping records of these things will make it easier for students when they apply for college or jobs after earning their diploma.

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HOMESCHOOL STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS IN TEXAS

Although traditionally schooled students in Texas must take standardized assessments, there is no requirement that says homeschoolers must participate. Some parents, however, use standardized tests to measure their students’ progress and measure their performance compared to other students the same age.

Texas State Testing, Standards and Graduation Requirements

Students who are homeschooled in Texas are not required to participate in Texas STARR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) testing.  However, some parents may choose to purchase an alternate standardized test as a way of measuring student progress.  SAT/ACT scores are used to determine a class ranking for homeschool students for admission to college.

Though not required, parents can access Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum standards on the TEA website.

TEXAS HOMESCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

According to the Texas Education Agency, 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.

Resources

Homeschool Support & Groups in Texas

Support from outside groups and associations is very beneficial for homeschooling families. Most states in the U.S. have statewide homeschool associations that advocate for at-home educations.

In addition to homeschool associations, families can find support through homeschool support groups and co-ops. Homeschool support groups are a wonderful way to meet other families and get advice from people who find homeschool to be a great fit for them. Homeschool groups also give students opportunities to socialize with peers.

On the other hand, homeschool co-ops focus on education by offering different learning environments and give students the chance to learn alongside other homeschooled students. Ideally, you will be able to find a homeschool support group that is close to home.

In Texas, there are many options for homeschool support groups and co-ops. You can find groups based on location and religion. The THSC provides a long list of homeschool groups that have partnered with them. You can also find many different homeschool groups on Facebook.

Check out our Power Homeschool Parent Support groups!

The following are ideas for places to visit or things to experience for Texas students, including zoos, aquariums, art exhibits, science museums, and much more!

FIELD TRIPS IN AUSTIN

• Texas State Capitol: Learn about Texas history and government at the state capitol. Guided tours of the Texas State Capitol are available at no cost.
• Austin Zoo: Visit this animal sanctuary and see wildlife species like lions, monkeys, and many more. Austin Zoo’s mission is to help animals through rescue and rehabilitation as well as wildlife education.
• Austin Aquarium: Sharks, reptiles, stingrays, and tropical fish are only a few examples of the animals that students get to see when visiting the Austin Aquarium. The aquarium provides educational tours and special events for homeschool students.
• Bob Bullock Museum: Homeschoolers can tour the Bob Bullock Museum to learn about Texas history, see hundreds of artifacts, and participate in various family programs.

FIELD TRIPS IN DALLAS

• Dallas Zoo: Explore wild-life species at the oldest zoo in Texas. Dallas Zoo hosts a homeschool day and field trips at discounted rates for homeschool groups.
• Dallas World Aquarium: Learn about penguins, tortoises, and many different species from different regions of the world at Dallas World Aquarium.
• Trinity River Audubon Center: Homeschool students can learn about conserving our environment with workshops and other educational opportunities.
• Cedar Hill State Park: At Cedar Hill State Park, homeschoolers can participate in guided hikes to learn about the history and native species of the land.
• Dallas Museum of Art: Help your student explore their artistic skills at the Dallas Museum of Art. This museum offers numerous family and school programs, clubs, and summer camps.
• Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden: Homeschoolers can explore life and earth science at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Homeschool programs are available with suggested grade levels for participants.

FIELD TRIPS IN FORT WORTH

• Fort Worth Museum of Science and History: Homeschool students can tour exhibits and visit the planetarium to learn about different scientific and historical topics. The museum offers learning opportunities to homeschool students throughout the year.
• Fort Worth Botanic Gardens: This botanical garden is the oldest in Texas, presenting beautiful gardens with plants native to all different areas of the world.
• Fort Worth Zoo: Homeschool classes are available for students of all ages. Homeschoolers can attend live animal presentations, guided Zoo hikes, and themed lessons.

FIELD TRIPS IN HOUSTON

• The Health Museum: Learn about health science through exhibits, programs, and classes. The Health Museum offers homeschool day camps for those in the Houston area.
• Space Center Houston: Homeschool students can learn about space exploration, meet real astronauts, and hear what it is like to live on a space ship.
• Children’s Museum of Houston: Visit the interactive, hands-on exhibits, including EcoStation and Invention Convention. The Children’s Museum of Houston hosts special events for homeschool students throughout the year.
• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: This art museum offers various family programs and educational tours for students of all ages.

FIELD TRIPS IN SAN ANTONIO

• The Alamo: This museum remembers important parts of Texas history with tours of the battlefield, history talks, and exhibits.
• Natural Bridge Caverns: Students can explore caves and pan for gems and fossils on one of the many educational tours that the Natural Bridge Caverns offers.
• Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch: Home to hundreds of animals, the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch allows visitors to see zebras, ostriches, and many other species roam freely from their car.