Private homeschooling is legal in Texas, as it is in all 50 states. There is no accountability to any state organization; that is, private homeschoolers don’t have to notify anyone, or get permission from anyone to teach their children, nor do they have to report grades or anything else.
For complete information regarding private homeschooling, we refer you to Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). However, the short story is this:
You will, of course, teach more than the “required” subjects, such as history and science.
If your children are not yet compulsory school age (six years old by September 1), you are not required to notify your local ISD when your child becomes compulsory school age.
If your children are already in school, you will want to formally withdraw them from their schools so that the schools will not think they are truant. You are not required to use forms provided by the school (see the letter from Mike Morath). You can simply write a letter of withdrawal (see the sample). If you are a member of HSLDA (recommended) you can use their form letter. It’s a simple letter, telling the school that you are withdrawing your child to homeschool. It isn’t asking for permission, or notifying anyone that you are homeschooling. We recommend mailing it certified, return receipt requested. Keep that receipt when it comes back to you, as it is your proof that you did tell the school you had withdrawn your children.
We do recommend joining HSLDA before you begin to homeschool; although Texas it is legal to homeschool, there are still schools, ISDs, and individual school employees who seem to be unaware of that fact and who can cause problems for you. Also, HSLDA has many other member benefits. Visit HSLDA to see them all.
You may want to join a local homeschool support group or co-op. There are listings for many groups on HSLDA’s site; also, you can join our Facebook group, Texas Homeschoolers Support Group, and ask about groups in your community.
Product Reviews – Cathy Duffy has done extensive reviews on almost everything you can think of, from parent information books to curriculum and more. She includes website information for each review so you can read more and order. cathyduffyreviews.com
One-stop, online shopping – Rainbow Resource has everything, including secular materials as well as faith-based materials. rainbowresource.com
There are many conventions and conferences and events in Texas. Connect to your local support group, our Facebook group, and HSLDA to find out where and when they are, and try to attend one or more. You will appreciate the larger events, which have many workshops and an exhibit hall full of shiny books and stuff for you to look at and buy. The smaller events will also provide opportunities to interact with other homeschoolers, and support groups and co-ops may grow out of those interactions. Try to attend at least one event a year, even if you have to travel for it.
