Homeschooling is an increasingly popular educational option for families across the United States, and Texas is no exception! With its flexible laws and a wealth of resources, Texas is one of the most homeschool friendly states because it provides a welcoming environment for families looking to take control of their children’s education. In this guide, we will look at everything you need to know about homeschooling in Texas, including how to get started, necessary paperwork and documentation requirements, as well as subjects to teach. At Dailies, we support families in every step of their schooling journey and have many students from Texas! Let’s take a look at some more information about ensuring your family has a personalized, age and skill appropriate education.
What to Know Before Getting Started Homeschooling in Texas
Texas has relatively lenient laws compared to many other states, allowing parents considerable freedom in how they educate their children. According to the Texas Education Code, homeschooling is considered a legitimate form of education, provided that parents adhere to certain guidelines. Students who homeschool in Texas must be taught the required subjects and documentation should be kept to support the child’s growth and development throughout their education.
Evaluating Your Family’s Needs
As you consider homeschooling as an option, it’s important to evaluate not only your child’s needs, but your family’s needs as well. Homeschooling is a full-time commitment that requires planning, patience, and while it provides a flexible learning environment, it can also be time consuming. With the proper planning and support however, homeschooling in Texas can be your family’s best decision! Reflect on your child’s learning styles, interests, and your family’s lifestyle to help shape your homeschooling approach and curriculum choices. Many families opt for a mix of resources, including textbooks, online programs, and community classes to complete the curriculum. Dailies provides many class options for families including small groups, enrichment camps, and private tutoring.
Officially Getting Started Homeschooling in Texas
While Texas does not require a family to formally notify the school district of their choice to homeschool, it is good practice to submit a letter of intent to clarify your education plans, especially if your child was previously enrolled in public school. Texas does not have strict paperwork requirements for documentation or educational plans but maintaining an organized portfolio of learning samples, curriculum plans, hours spent teaching, and progress reports will make it easier for you, should your family return to traditional schooling or should your child be interested in post-high school academics.
Required Subjects
Despite the leniency with homeschooling, Texas law does require that homeschoolers to be taught with an education program that includes the following subjects:
It is important to note that while these subjects are mandatory, parents have the flexibility to decide how and when to teach them
Maintaining Educational Records in Texas
As shared, Texas law does not require parents to submit documentation to the state, but maintaining clear and organized records is very beneficial for a couple of reasons; assessment, transitioning, and accreditation. Keeping track of your child’s progress helps identify strengths and weaknesses, if your child decides to return back to traditional schooling, organized records can help facilitate that transition, and if you plan to seek accreditation for your homeschool, proper documentation is definitely essential! Many families find success with daily logs, assessment records, and portfolios to keep track of learning progress.
Homeschool Support in Texas
The process to begin homeschooling in Texas can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone! There are several organizations and resources that provide guidance, support, and community.
To conclude, while homeschooling can feel like a lonely journey to begin, it is often a rewarding and fulfilling education choice for many families and with its flexible laws, diverse methods, and abundant resources, Texas offers a supportive environment for parents and children alike. By understanding the legal requirements, subjects to teach, documentation to maintain, and organizations available for assistance, you can embark on a successful homeschooling journey.
Whether you are just starting or looking to enhance your current homeschooling experience, remember that you are part of a larger community of families dedicated to providing the best education possible for their children. Embrace the adventure of homeschooling and enjoy the unique opportunity to nurture your child’s learning in a way that suits your family’s values and lifestyle.
Written by
Meghan Bouboulinis Read all posts by this author