Question: My child has never been enrolled in a Texas public school. Do I need to notify anyone of my intent to homeschool?
Answer: No. By Texas law, no Declaration of Intent is necessary if your child (or children) have never been enrolled in a Texas public school. For example: When we moved to the Austin suburbs in June of 2019, I did not need to notify the local school district that I would be homeschooling my teenagers. They had been in public school previously, but in a different state and many years prior.
Question: OK but what if my child HAS been enrolled in a public school in Texas? Answer: Then you need to notify the child's school via a formal letter that you are withdrawing your child with the intent to homeschool. Here is a sample form to use.
Question: Can I withdraw my child for just the 2020-2021 school year?
Answer: Yes, BUT: there are some things you should keep in mind.
1. If your child is 8th grade or younger he/she will be placed back in public school based on his/her age. Children are guaranteed a spot in their local public school. However, if your child covers 4th grade math with you this year in your homeschool but then is placed, by age, in a 4th grade class next year, he/she will be repeating many of the concepts you've already covered.
2. High schools are not required to accept homeschool credits. So, if your 8th grader takes high school Algebra and then starts public school in the 9th grade, your public high school may require him/her to re-take Algebra. Some school will allow for placement tests. However, they are not required to do so. This is really a problem if you pull a child out just for one year of high school. Your student may need to re-do the year in order to gain enough credits for graduation.
Question: Do I need to administer standardized tests?
Answer: Texas does not require yearly reporting or testing. Obviously you are free to spend your time and money to test if you so desire, but it is not required.
Question: Will Texas colleges accept my homeschool diploma?
Answer: YES! Actually, colleges don't ask for diplomas, they ask for transcripts and/ or ACT/SAT test scores. (Note that due to COVID-19, some colleges have removed the requirement for ACT or SAT test scores. Check with the individual colleges to confirm!)
Question: What are the required subjects for me to teach in (insert grade here) ?
Answer: Texas law states that a curriculum must be written (court cases have confirmed that video-based instruction also qualifies), and must cover: Math, reading, spelling & grammar, and a course in good citizenship. That's it. You do not have to do Earth Sciences in 4th grade just because the local public school does. You can start Algebra in the 7th grade if you want to, or wait until 12th grade. That requirement for a "course in good citizenship" is so easily fulfilled just via a government class for high school students or having your elementary aged-student watch you go vote or participate in a community project. (PLEASE VOTE!)
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