Homeschooling in Texas: Laws & Requirements (2026)

Texas stands among the nation's most homeschool-friendly states—and that's not an accident. The 1994 Leeper v. Arlington ISD Texas Supreme Court decision established that homeschools operate as private schools, exempt from state regulation. No registration, no notification, no testing, no attendance tracking. Teach five subjects with genuine intent, and you're legally compliant.

The 2025 legislative session strengthened these protections further with the Homeschool Freedom Act, explicitly prohibiting state agency regulation of home education. For 2026, new opportunities have emerged: Texas Education Freedom Accounts offer $2,000 annually for educational expenses, and UIL extracurricular access is now available by default in all school districts. Texas gives homeschool families both freedom and, increasingly, resources.

Texas Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

The Legal Foundation: Texas Homeschools as Private Schools

Texas homeschools operate under the same legal exemption as private schools, established by the Leeper v. Arlington ISD decision. This classification matters enormously—it means homeschools aren't "alternative" public education subject to state oversight. They're private schools, exempt from compulsory attendance requirements that apply to public education.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) explicitly states it "does not regulate, index, monitor, approve, register, or accredit" homeschool programs. No government agency reviews your curriculum, checks your attendance, or evaluates your teaching. The 2025 Homeschool Freedom Act (HB 2674) went further, explicitly prohibiting any state agency from regulating home education.

This legal framework provides genuine freedom, but it does come with responsibilities. Your instruction must be "bona fide" (genuine, not a sham) and your curriculum must be in "visual form." Understanding these two requirements matters.

The Three Legal Requirements

Despite Texas's reputation for minimal regulation, three legal requirements do exist. They're broad, but understanding them protects your family.

1. Visual Curriculum: Your instructional materials must be in visual form—books, workbooks, online programs, videos, or electronic screens. Audio-only instruction doesn't satisfy this requirement. Practically, any mainstream curriculum approach qualifies. You don't need expensive boxed curricula; free resources work fine if they're visual.

2. Bona Fide Instruction: Education must be pursued genuinely, in good faith—not as a sham or subterfuge to avoid compulsory attendance. This doesn't mean rigid structure; it means real educational intent and effort. Unschooling approaches can qualify if they reflect genuine commitment to your child's learning. Handing a child a workbook with no follow-through wouldn't.

3. Five Required Subjects: Texas law requires instruction in reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship. That's it. Science, history, and other subjects aren't legally mandated—though colleges typically expect them. "Good citizenship" means civics-type content: understanding government, civic responsibilities, and how society functions.

What Texas Does NOT Require

• No notification or registration — You never inform the state or local district that you're homeschooling
• No teacher qualifications — No degree, certification, or training required
• No minimum school days or hours — You set your own schedule
• No standardized testing — Assessment requirements don't exist
• No attendance tracking — No logs required by law
• No record-keeping mandates — The state doesn't require documentation
• No curriculum approval — No one reviews or approves your educational materials
• No immunization requirements — Homeschoolers are exempt

How to Start Homeschooling in Texas

Withdrawing from Public School

If your child is enrolled in public school, you'll need to formally withdraw before beginning homeschool. This is the only interaction required with any school or government entity.

What to include in your letter: - Your child's name and current grade - The date homeschooling will begin - A statement that you're establishing a private school at home - Confirmation that instruction will be bona fide and cover required subjects in visual form - Your signature

How to send: Certified mail with return receipt requested creates proof of delivery. Hand-delivery works but lacks documentation if disputes arise later.

Timing: You can withdraw at any time—mid-semester, mid-year, whenever. No waiting period exists. The school cannot deny or delay your withdrawal. If administrators request additional documentation, meetings, or approval, they're overstepping. Texas law doesn't require those things.

If you encounter resistance: Contact THSC at (806) 744-4441. They've handled thousands of withdrawal situations and can help families navigate school district pushback.

Record-Keeping Best Practices

Texas law doesn't require record-keeping, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Records serve multiple purposes: demonstrating bona fide instruction if ever questioned, creating transcripts for college-bound students, and tracking your child's progress for your own planning.

What to consider keeping: - Curriculum lists and materials used each year - Attendance logs (even informal ones) - Work samples, especially from 8th grade onward - Reading logs documenting books completed - Standardized test results (if you choose to test) - Extracurricular activities, community service, and awards - High school course descriptions with credit hours

For college-bound students: Start detailed documentation around 8th grade. Universities will request transcripts, and you'll need to create them yourself. Having records makes transcript creation straightforward; reconstructing them later is painful.

Legal protection: If questions ever arise about your homeschool program—from family members, school districts, or anyone else—documentation demonstrates your genuine educational efforts. This rarely happens in Texas, but records eliminate any ambiguity.

Texas Education Freedom Accounts (2026)

Texas launched the Education Freedom Account (TEFA) program in 2026, providing funding for educational expenses. For homeschool families, this represents the first state funding ever available in Texas.

Funding amounts: - Homeschool students: $2,000 annually - Private school students: $10,474 annually - Students with disabilities: up to $30,000 annually

Application timeline for 2026-27: - Applications open: February 4, 2026 - Applications close: March 17, 2026 - Award notifications: Early April 2026 - Funds available: July 1, 2026 (minimum 25% of annual amount)

Eligible expenses: Textbooks and instructional materials, online education programs, academic assessments, private tutoring, educational therapies for students with disabilities, and computer hardware/software (capped at 10% of annual funding). Funds cannot be used to pay family members.

The tradeoff: ESA participants must take a nationally norm-referenced test and share results with their approved provider. For families who value Texas's traditionally unregulated approach, this testing requirement is a significant consideration. If you don't take ESA funds, no testing is required.

Priority system: If demand exceeds the $1 billion allocation, priority goes to students with disabilities and lower-income households. Upper-income families (above 500% of federal poverty level) are capped at 20% of funding.

High School, Graduation & Beyond

Texas homeschool parents set their own graduation requirements and issue diplomas. There's no state-mandated course list—you determine what constitutes a complete education for your child.

Creating transcripts: You're responsible for documenting courses, grades, and credits. Include course titles, years taken, credit hours, and final grades. Calculate GPA if applying to selective universities. The TEA provides optional graduation guidelines with endorsement options (STEM, Business, Public Service, Arts, Multidisciplinary) that can structure your planning.

Diploma issuance: Parents issue the diploma. Texas law requires institutions to treat homeschool graduation as equivalent to public high school graduation. Universities cannot discriminate against homeschoolers in admissions.

College admission: HB 3041 (2025) expanded opportunities. Homeschoolers can now qualify for the Top 10% automatic admission rule at Texas public universities based on SAT/ACT scores. They're also eligible for state financial aid like TEXAS Grants. Each university sets specific score thresholds—UT Austin requires approximately 1570 SAT or 36 ACT for auto-admit, while Texas A&M and other schools have more accessible requirements.

Dual credit: Texas community colleges welcome homeschoolers for dual enrollment. You'll need TSIA scores meeting college readiness standards. Many programs are free for in-district students, offering significant savings while building college transcripts.

UIL Sports and Extracurricular Access

The 2025 legislative session transformed extracurricular access for Texas homeschoolers. Under SB 401, all school districts now allow homeschool UIL participation by default—a reversal from the previous opt-in model where most districts excluded homeschoolers.

How it works: Districts must allow homeschool participation unless their school board votes to opt out by September 1 (August 1 in subsequent years). If your district opts out, you can participate at the geographically closest school that allows participation.

Eligibility requirements: - Participate at the school in your residential attendance zone - Demonstrate grade-level proficiency on a standardized assessment (Iowa Test or Stanford Achievement Test) during the first six weeks - Complete the Previous Athletic Participation Form - Meet all eligibility rules that apply to enrolled students

Key limitations: - Cannot participate if enrolled in public school during the same year - Cannot participate in both UIL and competing non-UIL league activities simultaneously - Students who withdraw from public school mid-year cannot participate in UIL until the following school year

Funding: Schools receive $1,500 per homeschool student per activity, helping offset administrative costs and reducing district resistance.

Special Situations

Special needs students: Students with disabilities may be eligible for enhanced ESA funding (up to $30,000 annually). IDEA services may be available through your local district's Child Find program, though protections differ from those for enrolled students. Research your options carefully.

Custody situations: In divorce or custody cases, the parent with educational decision-making authority (specified in "Rights and Duties" section of custody orders) typically controls homeschooling decisions. If parents disagree, court modification may be necessary.

Daytime curfews: Some Texas cities have daytime curfew ordinances. If your homeschooled child is stopped, they should confidently explain they're educated at home. Carrying documentation isn't legally required but can simplify interactions.

Moving to Texas: If you're relocating from another state, Texas doesn't require notification or registration. Simply continue your homeschool program. If your child was enrolled in a school elsewhere, no Texas paperwork is needed—just don't enroll in Texas public school.

The Bottom Line

Texas offers homeschool families something rare: genuine educational freedom backed by strong legal protections. No registration, no testing, no oversight. Teach five subjects with real intent, and you're meeting your legal obligations.

The 2026 landscape adds new options. Education Freedom Accounts provide funding for families willing to accept testing requirements. UIL access opens extracurricular opportunities that were previously unavailable in most districts. These changes don't alter the fundamental freedom Texas provides—they expand what's possible while keeping the traditional unregulated path intact.

Your first step is simple: if your child isn't in public school, just begin. If they are, submit a withdrawal letter and start teaching. Texas homeschooling doesn't require permission—only commitment.