Homeschooling is legal in Texas. The Texas Supreme Court, in the decision Texas Educational Agency v. Leeper in 1994, ruled that homeschools can operate as private schools. There are no requirements that parents have a minimum level of education. The school year and hours are determined by the parent, not the state. If you have previously enrolled your child in public school, you must formally withdraw her before beginning to homeschool. Failing to withdraw a student from public school will result in truancy charges.
Texas requires that homeschooling parents teach good citizenship, math, reading, spelling and grammar. Texas homeschoolers do not have to submit curriculum to any state official, nor are they subject to home visits or other forms of regulation. Curriculum is created by parents, purchased or accessed online. Online sources of curriculum for Texas homeschoolers include schools such IQ Academy Texas, University of Texas Online/Distance Learning High School and the Texas Tech University Independent School District.
There are several groups that Texas homeschoolers can turn to for support and/or advice. For legal support, the Homeschooling Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offers legal defense and a breakdown of homeschooling laws by state. The Texas Homeschooling Coalition offers a wide range of information that is specific to Texas, including a list of local support groups. Texas Home Educators offers curriculum support and an online forum, in addition to other services.
Texas homeschools operate as private schools, setting their own standards for graduation. A student may graduate once he has met those standards. Texas homeschools, like other private schools, should keep records of courses and grades in order to produce a transcript that can be used for admission to a college or university.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires that colleges and universities treat homeschoolers the same as students who have completed public high school as long as there is "evidence that the person has successfully completed a nontraditional secondary education according to the same general standards as other applicants."