Is Home Schooling in Texas Any Different?
Although home schooling is legal in all 50 states, there are different rules and laws that you should be aware of if you have chosen to home school your child or children. According to the Texas Education Code 25.086, you need to provide assurance to the school district that you are in fact educating your child at home and he not being a truant.
Written Assurance
You need to show that there is a curriculum being followed and that your child's education is not being neglected. When you do give this assurance to the school, always give it in writing and keep a copy for your records. This is how you gather proof and documentation that you and your home schooled child in Texas are not breaking any laws whatsoever.
When you speak to people at your child's school or at the Texas Board of Education, always jot down their names so that you can refer to that paperwork if any issues arise. For instance, of several months down the road you see a police officer knock on your door that your child is missing school as he is riding his bike at noon in your cul de sac, you will have the paperwork necessary that he is being home schooled and the school district has been notified.
Need to Know Basis
A very important part of home school laws in Texas is that you need not offer extra voluntary information. While this may be of no difference to you, it sets a bad precedent for those who choose to home school in Texas after you. The schools and the regulating agencies start to think that all parents should volunteer the extra information and you are in effect doing a disservice to fellow Texas home schoolers.
In Texas, home schools are considered private schools and just like any unaccredited private school is not required to submit its curriculum or attendance record to public schools, neither should you have to.
Apart from these laws, Texas home schooling is not really different than that of any other state. You have the flexibility to teach your child in whatever manner you like, you can incorporate faith into your lessons if that is why you chose to home school or you can have a more hands on approach with several trips to the museum, parks and nature centers.
