Texas homeschool requirements
Overview
Texas does not register, approve or monitor home schools. Under the Texas Supreme Court's Leeper decision, children taught at home in a bona fide manner using a curriculum designed to meet basic education goals are exempt from compulsory public school attendance, like private-school students.
Legal pathway: Homeschool treated like a private school for compulsory-attendance purposes (Leeper v. Arlington ISD, Tex. Supreme Court).
Notification and registration
No notice to the state or TEA. When withdrawing a child from a public school, a signed and dated letter from the parent stating the child is being homeschooled and the date homeschooling began is sufficient documentation, per TEA. A district that becomes aware of a possibly homeschooled student may request a written letter of assurance; TEA notes this is not required each year.
Who may teach: No parent qualification requirement identified in the TEA sources reviewed.
Ages: Not specified in the TEA home-schooling guidance reviewed.
Required subjects
- Reading
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Mathematics
- Good citizenship: Parents are required to follow a course of study that includes good citizenship (TEA).
How our subjects line up
MathematicsRequired
Mathematics is a named basic education goal.
English Language Arts (Reading & Writing)Required
Reading, spelling and grammar are named basic education goals.
ScienceNot listed
Science is not among the goals TEA names, though many families include it.
History & Social StudiesRelated
'Good citizenship' is required; history and civics are the natural home for it.
Spanish (world language)Not listed
The required subjects this guide lists for Texas do not include a world language. Spanish is an elective here; it can still count toward a broad, balanced program.
English as a Second LanguageRelated
Supports Texas's English / language-arts requirement for children still learning English. It does not replace a full grade-level language arts course; use it alongside one.
Instruction time: No minimum days or hours identified in TEA guidance.
Testing and assessment
No state testing requirement identified in TEA guidance.
- Students who later enroll in public school may be assessed for grade placement and credit; TEA says passing standards for home-school transfers should be no higher than for unaccredited private-school transfers.
Record-keeping
No state record-keeping requirement identified in TEA guidance.
- Keeping your own written curriculum plan and work samples is wise because the instruction must be bona fide and districts may ask for a letter of assurance.
- Texas does not award a diploma to homeschool students; the state treats successful completion of a home school education as equivalent to graduation from a public high school for college admission purposes (TEA).
Texas homeschool checklist
Guidance only. Last verified 2026-10-26. Verify each step with the official sources below.
Notes and limits of this guide
- Statutes and agency guidance can change; Texas law on this topic is largely court-defined.
Official sources
Last verified 2026-10-26. Always check these pages for the current rules.