Texas Homeschool Laws and Requirements
Aug 14, 2026Homeschooling is legal in Texas, and the starting point is different from most states. A Texas home school operates as a private school, so there is no state registration, no notice of intent, and no annual filing. If your child is currently enrolled in public school, the one step that matters is a written withdrawal to that school. From there, Texas asks that you follow a course of study that includes good citizenship, and the Texas Education Agency states that it does not regulate, monitor, or approve home school programs.
Last Reviewed: August 14, 2026. Reviewed by the Modern Homeschools Editorial Team. Next scheduled review: August 14, 2027.
Texas Homeschool Requirements at a Glance
| Topic | What applies in Texas |
|---|---|
| Compulsory attendance ages | From age 6 until the 19th birthday. A child younger than 6 who has previously been enrolled in first grade is also covered |
| Notification or registration | None with the state. A family withdrawing a currently enrolled student gives written notice to that school |
| Legal pathway or homeschool definition | A home school operates as a private school. Section 25.086 of the Education Code exempts a child who attends a private or parochial school that includes in its course a study of good citizenship |
| Parent or instructor qualifications | None identified in the controlling authority |
| Required subjects | A course of study that includes good citizenship. Texas Education Agency guidance describes basic education goals including reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship |
| Instructional time | None identified in the controlling authority |
| Testing or evaluation | None identified in the controlling authority for home schools generally. Testing applies only to families who opt into certain public programs |
| Required records | None identified in the controlling authority |
| Responsible government agency | The Texas Education Agency, which states that it does not regulate, index, monitor, approve, register, or accredit home school programs. Compulsory attendance questions are decided by the school district or local judicial authorities |
How to Start Homeschooling in Texas
- Withdraw in writing, if your child is enrolled. The Texas Education Agency states that students should be disenrolled when the school receives written notice, either by the parent signing withdrawal forms or by a letter of withdrawal. The agency also states that it is not necessary for parents to make a personal appearance with school officials, present curriculum for review, or comply with any other requirements in order to successfully withdraw their student.
- Keep a copy of the withdrawal letter. For the district's own reporting, the agency states that a signed and dated letter from the parent stating that the student is being home schooled, along with the date homeschooling began, is sufficient documentation.
- Choose a course of study. Include good citizenship, which the statute names directly. Agency guidance describes basic education goals covering reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship, so building your plan around those areas keeps you on solid ground.
- Be ready for a possible letter of assurance. A district that becomes aware a student may be home schooled may request one in writing. Agency guidance states that a letter of this type is not required each year.
- Begin instruction. Nothing is filed with the state, and no approval is needed before you start.
Testing, Attendance, and Record Keeping
Texas places no testing, evaluation, attendance, or record keeping requirement on a home school. There is no portfolio to assemble, no attendance register to maintain, and no results to submit to anyone.
That freedom comes with a practical responsibility, because no state agency holds these records for you. Most families keep a simple record of the course of study, the materials used, and the work completed each year. Those records matter in two ordinary situations: returning to public school, where districts have their own procedures for assessing course mastery and awarding credit, and applying to colleges, which set their own admission standards. The state of Texas does not award a diploma to home schooled students, so the transcript your family creates is the document that travels with your student.
Testing enters the picture only when a family chooses to participate in a public program. A student who takes part in University Interscholastic League activities through a public school must demonstrate grade level academic proficiency on a nationally recognized, norm referenced assessment as a condition of eligibility during the first six weeks of the school year. Separately, families who enroll in the state education savings account program beginning with the 2026 to 2027 school year agree to annual assessment and to sharing those results. Families who do not participate in that program are expressly unaffected by its requirements.
Official Texas Homeschool Resources
- Texas Education Agency, Home Schooling
- Texas Education Agency, Commissioner's letter on home schools, July 11, 2019
- Texas Education Agency, General Frequently Asked Questions
- Texas Education Code chapter 25, sections 25.085 and 25.086
- Texas Education Code section 33.0832, participation in league activities
Beginning Your Homeschool Journey?
Your First 30 Days of Homeschooling provides a practical path for establishing your priorities, planning your next steps, and creating a rhythm that works for your family.
Modern Homeschools provides educational information to help families understand and navigate homeschooling requirements. Because requirements may change, families should confirm current details with the official state sources linked within this guide.